"We came down in the same carriage just now; she cut me dead!"
"Oh well, I expect she was a bit taken aback——"
"Look here, Dawson, I want to see you,—I must see you! I know your time is not your own,—but fix an early date to dine,—or something!—My club is the 'Rag.'"
"And mine's the 'Oriental.'"
"I say, you two," interposed Mrs. Hicks, laying a yellow claw, on Mayne's arm, "I won't have this! When two men get so confidential, I know they're after no good! Oh, I'm up to all your little games!" and she poked Mayne sharply with her fan. "If you are fixing a dinner, you must both dine with me! I know of such a nice, risky little restaurant, in Soho, where they do you 'A 1' for half a crown; and we'll all go on to a music-hall afterwards. Now, you come along, and get me a cup of tea," taking possession of Mayne; "I suppose you have tickets?" and still holding him fast, she led him captive towards the refreshment room. "I'm awfully glad you're home at last," she remarked, with significant emphasis.
"Thank you," said Mayne,—meeting the amused eye of a friend, who stared hard at the lady on his arm.
"It's on account of Nancy," she continued, confidentially; "have you seen her?"
"Yes; to-day."
"Now, who would have thought, she'd bloom out into such a beauty! But her mother was rarely pretty,—and you saw the Earl for yourself. Jessie and me lunched with Nancy, and the old lady yesterday; the old lady has a voice comes out of her boots, and Nancy is just the same as ever!"
"Is she?"