and leading the way to the refreshment department. Five minutes later, we were seated at a little table, and [44]Emma, with her gloves off and menu in hand, was, by our host’s desire, ordering our lunch. No, after all, it was much too hot for curry; it was a day for mayonnaise and aspic jelly. He seemed most anxious to please my stepmother, and to make much of her. Poor Emma! she was unused to such attentions; they brought a brilliant color to her cheek, and a sparkle to her eyes. She brightened up wonderfully under their influence.

[44]

Warm as the room was, I found myself rather “out in the cold.” These two had so many subjects in common, so many topics which were closed to me. They talked of places and people I had never seen, of the great camp at Attock, of the rajah’s big shoot, and finally of that young man’s own relations.

“So you have not seen my mother since [45]she stayed with you at Jam-Jam-More? She and my father are abroad now, and I am off to South America in three days. I’ve been buying my kit here. Done a tremendous morning’s work. I’m combining business and pleasure. My father has considerable investments out there which he wants me to look after—then I’m going to the West Indies.”

[45]

“It seems to me you are never at home,” said Emma.

“No one ever is at home now. Home is the last place in which to look for people in these days. A great rage for rambling has seized old and young. We migrate to the South of Europe for the winter, show ourselves in town for a few weeks in the spring, and then start off again. I think the old people are far the worst—they set the example. I tell my mother she is like the wandering Jew.”

[46]

[46]

“Does Lady Hildegarde never come to town?”

“No, not the last two years.” Then, looking over at me; “Did you have a good time this season, Miss Hayes?”

“A good time!” repeated Emma. “Why, the poor child has never been anywhere. You forget——”

“Yes—yes, of course; you could not take her. I wish my mother had been in London,” he continued genially. “She would have been delighted to have chaperoned her to no end of smart functions, and presented Miss Hayes at a drawing-room.”

It was quite clear that this 

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