Part 20 (1/2)

”It was a revival of the play,” she said with a blush, and Lionel was glad to notice that she had at least one huh”

”And you rest your condeusted that so pretty a creature could be so narrow

”On that, on what I have been told, and on the ridiculous number of post-card favorites that I see--often in deplorable dishabille--in every stationer's shop I have deliberately coe is i my sister's laer, forgetful of his errand

”I anity Of course, he ought to have laughed and talked about the garden ”I am sorry you persist in such a hasty condemnation of a noble profession----”

”And of Miss Blair,” she put in with a sly jealousy

”If you like,” he flung out ”I can not allow any one--even you--to criticize her I regret, therefore, that I shall not be able to stop the night”

”I was not aware,” she said with an univen you an invitation”

Lionel was so taken aback that he sat down abruptly in his chair Then the huht

The lady, too, though she allant effort to control herself, failed miserably In a moment the pair of them were united by the most perfect bond (save one) that earth knows--the mutual appreciation of a jest

Lionel, as the waves of their ently into ripples and presently dissolved in the foam of smiles, realized how foolish he had been When he set out first for The Quiet House he had taken it for granted that Beatrice had telegraphed to bespeak her sister's hospitality It was only too clear now that she had not done this, either through forgetfulness, pressure of work, or procrastination He had siuest, and the conversation had been too briskly controversial to allow him to think Noas doubly annoyed at his clumsiness: he had behaved like a boor and had sacrificed the interests of Beatrice to an ill-timed chivalry His cue was subize,” he said with a frank good huood offices on ht's eyes still twinkled with amusement

Clearly she was not all prunes and pris,” said the lady ot Poor Beatrice! She was always haruht have ie of Beatrice, and Lionel moved uneasily

”I hope,” he said huive ood faith--that----”

”I shall ask you to dine and sleep?” she said bluntly, though a char smile softened the crudity of her words ”Well, Mr----?”

”Mortimer Lionel Mortimer”

”Mr Mortimer, I do not doubt your word for ayour acquaintance and hearing some first-hand news of my sister But I fear it is impossible You see there are the proprieties to be considered I ale lady, and perhaps”

To Lionel this was an astonishi+ng view of the case After his unconventional week at the Bloomsbury flat he was poorly qualified to appreciate the apprehensions of Miss Arkwright His brain told hiht, but his heart merely insisted on the abyss between her outlook and her sister's And, as usually happens, the heart found the readier audience

”Quite so--quite so! But surely you----”

”Are old enough?” she suggested helpfully, plunging him deeper

”No--no! I did not mean that! I only meant that surely you have a housekeeper--soe, much older--oh! _much_ older than yourself--ould save the situation?”

”Well,” she ad coyness, ”I have such a domestic, it is true Mrs Wetherby is sixty Do you think that would do?”

”Ad for his recent buffets ”Admirably! Mrs Wetherby shall protect you with the armor of a centurion--or of a Lord Nelson,” he added scrupulously, reht era would carry ed! I shall stay after all!”

”Thank you,” returned Miss Arkwright with a demure twinkle (”Is she a prude? Oh, is she?” he reflected, watching) ”Of course, I shall be delighted to do all I can for a friend of Beatrice You really _do_ know her?” she asked in pretty appeal, as if frightened at her own rashness