verybody who stayed in the drawing-room played bridge, where they were
planted until the dressing-bell rang.

One would have thought Lady Katherine would have disapproved of cards, but
I suppose every one must have one contradiction about them, for she loves
bridge, and played for the lowest stakes with the air of a "needy
adventurer" as the books say.

I can't write the whole details of the rest of the visit. I was miserable,
and that is the truth. Fate seemed to be against Lord Robert speaking to
me, even when he tried, and I felt I must be extra cool and nasty because
I--oh, well, I may as well say it--he attracts me very much. I never once
looked at him from under my eyelashes, and after the next day he did not
even try to have an explanation.

He glanced with wrath sometimes, especially when Malcolm hung over me, and
Lady Ver said his temper was dreadful.

She was so sweet to me, it almost seemed as if she wanted to make up to me
for not letting me play with Lord Robert.

(Of course, I would not allow her to see I minded that.)

And finally Friday came, and the last night.

I sat in my room from tea until dinner. I could not stand Malcolm any
longer. I had fenced with him rather well up to then, but that promise of
mine hung over me. I nipped him every time he attempted to explain what it
was, and to this moment I don't know, but it did not prevent him from
saying tiresome, loving things, mixed with priggish advice. I don't know
what would have happened, only when he got really horribly affectionate,
just after tea, I was so exasperated I launched this bomb.

"I don't believe a word you are saying--your real interest is Angela
Grey."

He nearly had a fit, and shut up at once. So, of course, it is not a
horse. I felt sure of it. Probably one of those people Mrs. Carruthers
said all young men knew--their adolescent measles and chicken-pox, she
called them.

All the old men talked a great deal to me, and even the other two young
ones; but these last days I did not seem to have any of my usual spirits.
Just as we were going to bed on Friday night Lord Robert came up to Lady
Ver; she had her hand through my arm.

"I can come to the play with you on Saturday night, after all," he said.
"I have wired to Campion to make a fourth, and you will get some other
woman, won't you?"

"I will try," said Lady Ver, and she looked right into his eyes; then she
turned to me. "I shall feel so cruel leaving you alone, Evan