"Like a surprise packet?"
"Yes! as you elegantly put it--like a surprise packet."
"Oh, that's jolly," observed Mr. Thambits brilliantly, then relapsed into silence.
"I say, Mrs. Veilsturm!" he said at last.
"Yes."
"Errington's gone to the country again."
Mrs. Veilsturm could not suppress an angry start at this information. She had missed Guy for the last three or four days, and, having heard nothing from him since she received his note excusing himself from coming to the Marlowe Theatre, was considerably enraged at this neglect. She was too clever, however, to betray herself to Dolly Thambits, who was jealously vigilant, so she asked quietly:
"Indeed! who told you so?"
"Gartney! He went about four days ago. Got tired of Town, I suppose."
"No doubt! Town does get wearisome at times."