ham put down her cup of tea. "What a very curious idea!" she
exclaimed.

"Give it time to sink in," said I, helping myself to another piece of
toast. She sat silent for a few moments--presumably to allow of the
permeation I suggested. I finished my tea and leant back comfortably.
Then I said:

"Let me take my own case. Shouldn't I feel rather awkward--?"

"Oh, it's no good taking your case," she interrupted.

"Why not mine as well as another?"

"Because I told him about you long ago."

I was not surprised. But I could not permit Lady Mickleham to laugh
at me in the unconscionable manner in which she proceeded to laugh. I
spread out my hands and observed blandly:

"Why not be guided--as to the others, I mean--by your husband's
example?"

"Archie's example? What's that?"

"I don't know; but you do, I suppose."

"What do you mean, Mr. Carter?" she asked, sitting upright.

"Well, has he ever told you about Maggie Adeane?"

"I never heard of her."

"Or Lilly Courtenay?"

"That girl!"

"Or Alice Layton?"

"The red-haired Layton?"

"Or Florence Cunliffe?"

"Who was she?"

"Or Millie Trehearne?"

"She squints, Mr. Carter."

"Or--"

"Stop, stop! What do you mean? What should he tell me?"

"Oh, I see he hasn't. Nor, I suppose, about Sylvia Fenton, or that
little Delancy girl, or handsome Miss--what was her name?"

"Hold your tongue--and tell me what you mean."

"Lady Mickleham," said I gravely, "if your husband has not thought fit
to mention these ladies--and others whom I could name--to you, how could
I presume--?"

"Do you mean to tell me that Archie--?"

"He'd only known you three years, you see."

"Then it was before--?"

"Some of them were before," said I.

Lady Mickleham drew a long breath.

"Archie will be in soon," said she.

I took my hat.

"It seems to me," I observed, "that what is sauce--that, I should say,
husband and wife ought to stand on an equal footing in these matters.
Since he has--no doubt for good reasons--not mentioned to you--"

"Alice Layton was a positive fright."

"She came last," said I. "Just before you, you know. However, as I was
saying--"

"And that horrible Sylvia Fenton--"

"Oh, he couldn't have known you long then. As I was saying, I should, if
I were you, treat him as he has treated you. In my case it seems to be
too late."

"I'm sorry I told him that."

"Oh, pray don't mind, it's of no consequence. As to the others--"

"I should never h