Lady Beltringham, it would appear, had arrived, but was so fatigued by her long journey that she was unable to receive visitors.
"We returned almost immediately to the hotel," said my wife reproachfully. "We thought you would have waited for us there."
Glenbarth looked at me as if nothing I could ever do would make up for the enormity of my offence. He then described to Miss Trevor some wonderful photographs he had discovered that morning in a certain shop on the other side of the piazza. She questioned him concerning them, and I suggested that they should go off and overhaul them. This they did, and when they had departed my wife produced some letters for me she had taken from the rack at the hotel. I looked at the writing upon the envelope of the first, but for a moment could not recall where or when I had seen it before. Then I opened it and withdrew the contents.
"Why, it's from George Anstruther," I exclaimed when I had examined the signature. "He is in Algiers."
"But what is the letter about?" my wife inquired. "You have not heard from him for so long."
"I'll read it," I said, and began as follows—
"My dear Hatteras,
"Here I am in the most charming place on the whole Mediterranean, and I ought to know, for I've seen and loathed all the others. My villa overlooks the sea, and my yacht rides at anchor in the bay. There are many nice people here, and not the least pleasant is my very good friend, Don Josè de Martinos, who is leaving to-day for his first visit to Venice, viâ Nice, and I understand from him that he is to stay at your hotel. He is a delightful creature; has seen much of the world, and if you will admit him to the circle of your acquaintance, I don't think you will regret it. I need not bore either myself or you by repeating the hackneyed phrase to the effect that any civility you show him will be considered a kindness to myself, etc., etc. Remember me most kindly to Lady Hatteras, and
"Believe me to be,
"Ever sincerely yours,
"George Anstruther."
My wife uttered a little cry of vexation.
"Pleasant though he may prove, I cannot help saying that I am sorry Don Josè Martinos is coming," she said. "Our little party of four was so happily arranged, and who knows but that a fifth may upset its peace altogether?"
"But he is Anstruther's friend," I said in expostulation. "One must be civil to one's friends' friends."