the slight fingers. Slowly they slipped away.

I opened the door. Then I turned to the girl.

"You know," I said, "the Folkestone dogs."

"At last," said Berry, as the car swung into line in Kensington Gore,
about a furlong from the doors of the Albert Hall. "A short hour and a
quarter, and we shall be there. Can anyone tell me why I consented to
come?"

"To please yourself," said Daphne shortly.

"Wrong," said her husband. "The correct answer will appear in our next
issue. Five million consolation prizes will be awarded to those who,
in the opinion of--"

"Have you got the tickets?" said his wife.

"Tickets!" said Berry contemptuously. "I've had to put my
handkerchief in my shoe, and my cigarette-case has lodged slightly to
the right and six inches below my heart. You'll have to make a ring
round me, if I want to smoke."

"Have you got the tickets?" said Daphne.

"My dear, I distinctly remember giving them to--"

A perfect shriek went up from Daphne and Jill. The footman slipped on
to the step and opened the door.

"Did you call, madam?"

"Yes," said Berry. "Give Mrs. Pleydell the tickets."

Our party was an undoubted success. Jonah looked wonderful, Daphne
and Jill priceless. With her magnificent hair unbound, her simple
boy's dress, her little rough shoes at the foot of legs bare to the
knee, my sister was a glorious sight. And an exquisite Jill, in green
and white and gold, ruffled it with the daintiest air and a light in
her grey eyes that shamed her jewellery. Berry was simply immense. A
brilliant make-up, coupled with the riotous extravagance of his dress,
carried him half-way. But the pomp of carriage, the circumstance of
gait which he assumed, the manner of the man beggar description.
Cervantes would have wept with delight, could he have witnessed it.
The Squire of the Wood passed.

And did little else. And that somewhat listlessly, till he saw my
lady. That was just after supper, and she was sitting on the edge of a
box, scanning her programme. All lovely, dressed as Potpourri.

"You were right," said I. "The world is small." We floated into the
music. "So is your waist. But, then I learned that this morning. So.
When you were upset."

"Do you like my dress?"

"Love it. Where did it come from?"

She mentioned a French firm.

"Ah!" said I, "Give me the judgment of Paris."

CHAPTER VI

WHICH TO ADORE

"I suppose you think I'm going to swear,