"Then let me make it up for you! What are you doing to-night?"
"I believe mother's got some people dining."
"Well, see if you can't put them off and dine with us."
Barbara closed her eyes until she felt herself rocking. If Destiny meant her to dine with Lady Poynter....
"I should like to," she said.
"Then I shall expect you. At a quarter past eight. In Belgrave Square. It's only quite a small party. Have you met this new dramatist, Eric Lane? I've got him coming."
There was a conspiracy to force them together. George had tried, Sonia had tried. What was the good of meeting any one, if Jack's ghost intervened to thrust them apart? Eric Lane ... Eric Lane.... When she died, they would find "Eric Lane" on her heart. A neat monogram: "E. L." ... Barbara found herself trembling.... If Destiny meant her to meet Eric Lane....
"I was invited to meet him, but I couldn't go."
"You'll fall in love with him," Lady Poynter prophesied.