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‘My dear Lord Warburton,’ she said, smiling, ‘you may
do, as far as I’m concerned, whatever comes into your
head.’
And with this she got up and wandered into the adjoin-
ing room, where, within her companion’s view, she was
immediately addressed by a pair of gentlemen, high per-
sonages in the Roman world, who met her as if they had
been looking for her. While she talked with them she found
herself regretting she had moved; it looked a little like run-
ning away-all the more as Lord Warburton didn’t follow
her. She was glad of this, however, and at any rate she was
satisfied. She was so well satisfied that when, in passing back
into the ball-room, she found Edward Rosier still planted in
the doorway, she stopped and spoke to him again. ‘You did
right not to go away. I’ve some comfort for you.’
‘I need it,’ the young man softly wailed, ‘when I see you
so awfully thick with him!’
‘Don’t speak of him; I’ll do what I can for you. I’m afraid
it won’t be much, but what I can I’ll do.’
He looked at her with gloomy obliqueness. ‘What has
suddenly brought you round?’
‘The sense that you are an inconvenience in doorways!’
she answered, smiling as she passed him. Half an hour later
she took leave, with Pansy, and at the foot of the staircase
the two ladies, with many other departing guests, waited
a while for their carriage. just as it approached Lord War-
burton came out of the house and assisted them to reach
their vehicle. He stood a moment at the door, asking Pansy
if she had amused herself; and she, having answered him,

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