pered shyly, drawing in her under-lip and refusing to meet his eyes. "I couldn't tell you before; but I think I can now—now that there are a lot of people about." She glanced up at him, then dropped her eyes again immediately.
"It's about that—that night at—at your rooms." Her voice trembled a little.
He nodded. There was a pause.
"What I told you about Lady Tringe was" she hesitated and flashed a look at him from under her lashes, "was a fib," she went on hurriedly. "She wasn't there at all, and nobody saw me. Look! there's Lord Drewitt," she cried, clutching him excitedly by the coat-sleeve, as the figure of Lord Drewitt appeared crossing the road from the Stanhope Gate. "Oh! go and fetch him, do."
With his head in a whirl Beresford did as he was bid, returning a minute later with Drewitt at his side.
"I have just had the refreshing experience of seeing the ungodly vanquished, the Philistine smitten, and the biter bit." Drewitt shook hands with Lola, then sank into a chair.
For nearly a minute there was silence.
"Please remember," said Lola, "that I'm a woman, Lord Drewitt, and curious."
"As we are to be cousins, Lola, I think" Drewitt smiled.
"I shall call you Drew, then," she said. "We're waiting," she added.
"I've been to the Aunt to announce the failure of
