called at his
office yesterday, and they told me that he was out for the day. Well,
that licks me."

Mary, who was reading a magazine in a secluded corner, looked up.

"I saw Mr. Brooks in the morning," she remarked. "He told me that he
was going to Enton to dine and sleep."

Selina looked at her cousin sharply.

"You saw Mr. Brooks?" she repeated. "Where?"

"I met him," Mary answered, coolly. "He told me that Lord Arranmore had
been very kind to him."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Louise asked.

"I really didn't think of it," Mary answered. "It didn't strike me as
being anything extraordinary."

"Not when he's coming here to dine to-night," Selina repeated, "and is a
friend of papa's! Why, Mary, what nonsense."

"I really don't see anything to make a fuss about," Mary said, going
back to her magazine.

Mr. Bullsom drew himself up, and laid down the paper with the paragraph
uppermost.

"Well, it is most gratifying to think that I gave that young man his
first start," he remarked. "I believe, too, that he is not likely to
forget it."

"The bell!" Mrs. Bullsom exclaimed, with a little gasp. "Some one has
come."

"Well, if they have, there's nothing to be frightened about," Mr.
Bullsom retorted. "Ain't we expecting them to come? Don't look so
scared, Sarah! Take up a book, or something. Why, bless my soul,
you're all of a tremble."

"I can't help it, Peter," Mrs. Bullsom replied, nervously. "I don't
know these people scarcely a bit, and I'm sure I shall do something
foolish. Selina, be sure you look at me when I'm to come away, and--"

"Mr. Kingston Brooks."

Brooks, ushered in by a neighbouring greengrocer, entered upon a scene
of unexpected splendour. Selina and her sister were gorgeous in green
and pink respectively. Mr. Bullsom's shirt-front was a thing to wonder
at. There was an air of repressed excitement about everybody, except
Mary, who welcomed him with a quiet smile.

"I am not much too early, I hope," Brooks remarked.

"You're in the nick of time," Mr. Bullsom assured him.

Brooks endeavoured to secure a chair near Mary, which attempt Selina
adroitly foiled.

"We've been reading all about your grandeur, Mr. Brooks," she
exclaimed. "What a beautiful day you must have had at Enton."

Brooks looked puzzled.

"It was very enjoyable," he declared. "I wanted to see you, Miss
Scott," he added, turning to Mary. "I think that we can arrange that
date for the lecture now. How would Wednesday we