“H’m!” she said. “When?”
“In the next Birthday List.”
“Thanks. Now you go into the further drawing-room and talk to the Ambassador, and I will clear the people away. I suppose ten minutes will be enough?”
“Ample,” said the great Minister, rising. Then he added: “By Jove! you are a clever woman. You’re cleverer than your husband.”
“I know I am,” said Mrs. Shelf.
CHAPTER XVII.
IN THE MATTER OF A TRUST.
“Mr. Fairfax, sir, to see you.”
“Say that I cannot see him.”
The butler hesitated a moment, and then begged Mr. Shelf’s pardon, and hinted that Fairfax seemed to have anticipated some such message.