XXVIII AN INTERVIEW 237

XXIX NIGEL AND MARY 245

XXX MISS BELVOIR 256

XXXI MARY'S PLAN 263

XXXII PRIVATE FIREWORKS AT THE PICKERINGS' 267

XXXIII NIGEL ABROAD 284

XXXIV MOONA 289

XXXV TWO WOMEN 300

XXXVI PLAIN SAILING 313

CHAPTER I

EXCUSES

Poor Madeline came into the room a little flustered and hustled, with
papers in her muff. She found Bertha looking lovely and serene as usual.

Madeline Irwin was a modern-looking girl of twenty-three; tall, thin,
smart and just the right shape; not pretty, but very sympathetic, with
thick dark hair and strongly marked eyebrows, a rather long and narrow
face, delicately modelled, a clear white complexion, and soft, sincere
brown eyes.

Bertha--Mrs. Percy Kellynch--was known as a beauty. She was indeed
improbably pretty, small, plump and very fair, with soft golden hair
that was silky and yet fluffy, perfectly regular little features, and a
kind of infantine sweetness, combined with an almost incredible
cleverness that was curious and fascinating. She was of a type remote
equally from the fashion-plate and the suffragette, and was so
physically attractive that one could hardly be near her without longing
to put out a finger and touch her soft, fair face or her soft hair; as
one would like to touch a kitten or a pretty child. And yet one felt
that it would not be an entirely safe thing to do; like the child or the
kitten she might scratch or run away. But it is probable that a large
average of her acquaintance had been weak enough--or strong enough--to
give way to the temptation and take the risk.

This charming little creature sat in a room furnished in clear, pale
colours--that was pink, white and blonde like herself. Madeline sat down
without greeting her, saying in a scolding voice, as she rustled a
letter:

"He's refused again ... more excuses ... always, always excuses!"

"Well, all the better; excuses are a form of compliment. I'd far rather
have a lot of apology and attenuation than utter coolness," said Bertha
consolingly. She had a low, even voice, and rarely made a gesture. Her
animation was all in her eyes. They were long, bluish-grey, with dark
lashe