Patricia Brent, Spinster

ugh strongly disapproving of her deplorable flippancy, Miss Brent decided that her n

collection of notables introduced into England by William of Normandy. To Miss Brent, William the Conqueror was what The Mayf

, or knew about, his ducal master; but it was sufficiently important to gain for him

who earned her living as the secretary of an unknown member of parliament. She foresaw complications, fierce opposition, possibly an attempt to break off the engagement. To defeat this Geoffrey Brent was to be disinterred and

ted to know about the Bowens, and she strongly disapproved of what she termed "hole-in-the-corner engagements." The marriage of a Brent to a Bowen was to her an alliance, carryi

cted her. Her mind once made up, to change it would have appeared to Miss Brent an unpardonable sign of

he transferred to "The Mayfair Hotel" for one night, she prepared an announcement of the eng

. It would impress the people at the newspaper office, and it w

of Mr. Arthur Bonsor, Miss Brent was being whirled in a taxi first

ricia with wandering attention,

nnounced Lady M

of violet eyes that were smiling a greetin

was endeavouring to recall wher

the families met," a

ant smile so characteristic of her. She

ng her eyes upon a dark man in khaki, with smouldering eye

when a rush of callers swept Miss Brent and

r houses, both town and country, into convalescent homes for soldiers; but she was surpris

s of what is best," he remarked

ooked up int

ually she got her own way as she always does. Now the official

ed Miss Brent

nette at the other side of the room. "She is too

naries then?" enq

hor," responded Elton with a disarming smile. "She

hen war broke out someone had suggested that she should use her tact and knowledge of human nature in treating cases that defied the army M.O.'s. "A tyrant

ldren of his own brain, admirably controlled and conducted by his wife. He seldom appeared, keeping to the one place free from the flood o

udied each patient's needs, and decided whether he required diversion or quiet: if di

emselves. All misdemeanours were reported to and judged by a committee of five elected by ballot from among the patients. Their decisions were refer

uccess. She had not come to Grosvenor Square to hear about hostels, or the cu

Peter?" she enq

n replied as he to

?" Miss Brent wa

f a man who found nothing unusual either

y?" was the

Elton, beginning to e

live here?" dema

, Pe

rent n

soldiers, you

's tone was in itself an accusation a

stands," was Elt

sharply at him. For a

upon his arm. Her question arose, not from any interest she

y final medical board, a

was feeling some annoyance with this

ondered if the next question w

nd of the family?" was Mi

n bo

soldier in hospital blue, a rugged litt

are you?" said El

t was in marked contrast to the even tone of co

, sir," replied Uncle. "Sort o

iss Brent, an act that seem

wounded?" asked Miss

buttocks, mum," r

face showed no sign. She turned to Uncle and regarded him

tin'," added Uncle, interpreting Miss Br

tty brunette to whom Elton had bowed joined the group. "I've been giving you t

hat Uncle's wound was the standing j

k you," said Uncle cheerf

irl addressed herself to Mi

Uncle or to me?

up her piquante little face in thought she added, "

challenged

n't 'ear 'er," was Unc

love to him, and as for Goddy," she turned and regarded Elton with a quizzical e

uttered thought, What would Little Milstead think of such conversation? She was brough

Uncle has the guilelessness of the dove, whilst Godfrey has all the wisdom of the serpent

nfused, Peggy," said Elton.

the brunette, "he's going

nued to stare, whilst Uncle wi

on't she

some topping chocolates, a new kind. They're priceles

iss Brent of Elton, disapp

Bristowe," r

their ancestry so far back as to make William

e of himself at the conflicting emotions depicted upon Miss Brent's face; but Lady

h, Goddy," she cried,

n wiping her finger and thumb daintily upon a ridiculously small p

n one side like a bird, and her who

n of furniture polish,"

as she whisked over to w

on to Miss Brent. "I fear she trades upo

essed, she stalked away. Elton watched her in surprise, unconscious that his casual r

rtue at the helm," he mu

ll had landed her in the very midst of an ultra-fast set. She was unaware that Godfre

on one occasion when he had just confided to the vicar that all intro

e with which he habitually clothed himself, it was in the presence of eit

iative public at the Futility Theatre, Elton had replied, "A woman's legs are to me what they are to God," which had silen

e subject of her call; but without success. She was always surrounded either by arriving or departing g

shaken hands, thanked her for coming, hoped she would come again soon, and Miss Brent was walking downstairs her mission unaccomplis

upon her typewriter that "pigs are