" replied Miss Bloxam.

"Fiddle-de-dee!" replied her mother, sharply. "All girls like to go to
what promises to be a pleasant party. It is only right and proper they
should, unless they are unwell. Is there anything the matter with you?"

"No, unless it be that I am getting rather tired of London gaiety. I
shall be very glad, indeed, to get back to Todborough."

"That's a most unnatural remark for a girl to make in her second
season. None of your sisters, thank goodness, ever required it; but I
am afraid I shall have to see what a doctor thinks of you. I must get
hold of Pansey Cottrell and hear what he says about this picnic. I
declare, if he reports favourably, I shall insist upon your going,
Blanche."

"I cannot see, mamma, what Mr. Cottrell has got to do with it. There
can be no possible use in consulting him."

"Every use," rejoined Lady Mary quickly. "Pansey knows everything that
is going on in society. I declare I think sometimes that he must
employ a staff of detectives to collect all such knowledge and gossip
for him. He will know who are going to this party."

"If he knows everything," said Blanche, "he should be able to tell me
what I want to know."

"And what is that?" inquired Lady Mary, with no little curiosity.

"He will know that also if omniscient, as you suppose, mamma."

"You are talking downright nonsense! How can any one answer a question
which you won't ask them? But Pansey's knowledge of what goes on in
his own world is marvellous. He sees more than the most lynx-eyed
matron amongst us. I have been to a good many places this year for
your amusement, and unless you are really ill, Blanche, it is only fair
you should go this once for mine."

Miss Bloxam made no reply, but inwardly determined to be extremely
unwell upon the day of that picnic. She was by no means a selfish
girl, and would sacrifice herself to give her mother pleasure at any
time; but she felt that she had valid reasons for declining any
invitation from Lionel Beauchamp as things stood between them. No
accusation of husband-hunting should ever be brought against her. Her
mother was, of course, ignorant of how matters stood, and could
therefore be no guide for her in this affair.

Captain Bloxam, arriving at his quarters to dress for mess after a hard
afternoon's racquets, finds Mrs. Wriothesley's note lying on his table.

"Will I dine on Wednesday, go to the play, and come back to supper
afterwards? Wi