"Darling?"
"Nance, I'm in a horrid difficulty."
Nance's high, arched eyebrows drew together in a frown of concern.
"Nothing bad?" she said. "Nothing about Walter?"
"No. Yes—yes it is. You know Walter dislikes Lord Deerehurst. Well, he was vexed at finding him here yesterday; and after he had gone I—I promised not to see him any more—I promised to break off my friendship with him."
Nance nodded, tactfully refraining from any joy in the proving of her theories.
"Yes?" she prompted softly.
"And now Lord Deerehurst writes that he will be at the Apollo to-night, and is coming round to our box at nine."
Nance pursed up her lips.
"Oh!" she said. "And you'll have to put him off?"