The other letter ran: CONTENTS To the Matron of the Nonconformist Detention and Penitential Hostel for Lost Women: Madam, I beg to inform you that Sarah Lady Garribardine is leaving town shortly and therefore cannot avail herself of the pleasure and honour of visiting your useful institution. She desires me to express to you her thanks for your invitation. I remain, madame, Yours faithfully, K. Bush (Sec.). K. Bush She looked carefully to see what style of address was necessary and wrote out the envelope—and when all was ready she rose and took them to the young-old lady by the fire. She stood quite still while they were perused, and then smiled inwardly when Lady Garribardine gave a cynical chuckle. "I think you will do very well, Miss Bush! Please find some stamps, and put them in that basket to be posted—and—er—you can ring the bell—I shall expect you—bag and baggage—on Wednesday next." This was abrupt, but Katherine Bush felt it was what it should be. "You do not require the testimony of Mr. Livingston or Mr. Devereux?" "No—I can judge for myself—er—Good morning." The bell had been answered almost instantly and so, bowing, Katherine Bush followed the servant down the stairs, and soon found herself in the street, a strange sense of content in her heart. She knew the West End very well—and walked briskly along Hill Street and so on past Dorchester[Pg 45] House—into the Park. All the leaves were off the trees. The November day was beautifully fine and bright and movement was a pleasure. [Pg 45] So the first part of her new game was won at all events. She reviewed the whole set of impressions she had taken. Firstly, that the house was a fine one—it had "the look," if houses could be said to show this quality. That is, it was beautifully kept and filled with what she guessed from study at the Wallace
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