"It would be, with some commandants. Well, good luck to the tea-party. And if Wentworth offers any more thousand-pound notes, just remember you've me to support now, and accept."
"I do hope he won't do anything awful," said Isobel anxiously. "I asked him for to-day because I thought there'd be nobody here that mattered, and of course Lady Anderson would take the opportunity to come and look round on that exact day."
"Who's she?"
Isobel sighed.
"She is my Hated Rival," she explained. "That is, I'm hers. She also runs an officers' hospital, and she's coming over to see how I run mine. She disapproves of me altogether—always has—and now she's furiously jealous about the hospital, so we are in for a nice time. She's father's pet aversion, too."
"Thank God I've picked to-day to go to town!" said Allen piously. "I wish you joy of your day."
She smiled mournfully.
"Get back early and comfort me."
* * * * * * *