“I’ve a box at the Kehama.”

Miss Sinquier looked tragic.

“It’ll have begun!” she said.

“At a variety, the later the better as a rule.”

“I never like to miss any part.”

“My dear, you’ll miss very little; besides it’s too close to linger over dinner long.”

“Toc, toc; I don’t find it so,” Sir Oliver demurred.

Mrs. Sixsmith plied her fan.

“I feel very much like sitting à la Chaste Suzanne, in the nearest ice-pail!” she declared.