"Then you have an engagement?"
"Unfortunately, yes! I am dining at Downing Street."
"Well, we must send for that schoolboy cousin of yours, Helen!" said Lady Thurwell, laughing. "You see how dependent we are upon your sex, after all. Why, is that really you, Mr. Maddison!" she broke off suddenly, as a tall figure emerged a little out of the gloom. "Fancy meeting you here! I had no idea that you and Sir Allan Beaumerville were friends. Helen, do you see Mr. Maddison?"
"I can't say that I do," she answered, with a low happy laugh; "but I'm very glad he's here!"
The lights were brought in as she finished her little speech, and they all looked at one another. Lady Thurwell broke into a little laugh.
"Really, this is a singular meeting," she said, "but we mustn't stop a moment. Mr. Maddison, we were hoping to see you yesterday afternoon. Do come soon!"
He bowed with a faint smile upon his lips.
"Come out to the carriage with us, please, Mr. Maddison," Helen said to him in a low tone as Lady Thurwell turned to go; and he walked down the hall between them and out on to the pavement, leaving Sir Allan on the steps.
"You will come and dine with me soon, won't you, Mr. Maddison?" Lady Thurwell asked him, as she touched his hand stepping into the brougham.
"I will come whenever you ask me!" he answered rashly.