. Maddox? and was the baby christened? and who was
the second godfather? and so on, until the gong warned them to disperse.

The conversation at dinner ran on the same topics, but just before they
rose from the table Mrs. Ross asked Michael if he did not admire Mrs.
Blake.

'Very much, indeed,' he returned, without a moment's hesitation. 'She
has three very excellent points for a woman: she is pretty, lively, and
amusing. I had quite a long talk with her.' And then he changed the
subject--whether intentionally or unintentionally Audrey could not
tell--and began telling them about a picture one of his friends was
painting for the next Exhibition.

Michael was very much engaged the next few days. He had told Kester to
come to him every morning that week, to make up for the lessons he had
lost, and as a succession of garden-parties occupied Audrey's
afternoons, she did not find time for one of those confidential chats
with Michael which they both so much enjoyed. When Thursday came Michael
escorted her to the Charringtons' garden-party. Mrs. Ross and her
husband were to come later.

Audrey was amongst the tennis-players, but, as she passed to and fro
with her various partners, she saw Michael more than once talking to
Mrs. Blake. The first time he gave her a nod and a smile, but when she
passed them again he seemed too much engrossed with Mrs. Blake's lively
conversation to notice her.

Audrey had just finished her second game with Mr. Blake, and he was
taking her to the house in search of refreshments. As Audrey ate her
strawberries, she wondered a little over Michael's abstraction.

'He certainly seems to admire her,' she said to herself.

Michael and she were to dine at Hillside that evening, and as they
walked home together in the summer moonlight Audrey bethought herself at
last of asking that question.

'Michael, I want you to tell me what you think of Mrs. Blake? I am quite
sure you like her very much indeed.'

'You are wrong, then. I wonder what put such a notion in your
head--because I was talking to her so much this afternoon? That was more
her fault than mine. No, Audrey; I am sorry to say it, but I do not like
Mrs. Blake at all.'

'Michael!' and Audrey stood still in the road. This was a shock indeed!
She was prepared for criticism: Michael always criticised her friends;
he felt it a part of his duty; but this utter disapprobation was so
unexpected; it was crushing--absolutely crushing! Michael, too