The Twelfth Hour

tation. She tried on three new hats, and finally w

but racing or furniture takes him from me. What long letters he writes-he can't be forgetting me! When I see him I never like him to t

nd asked to see the station-master. He was very charmed with her, but could only patiently repeat that there was not anothe

telegram from Chetwode putting off his return for a day or two, as there was an old dresser in the kitchen of a farmhouse which the owner wouldn't part with, and that he (Chetwode) was not going to lose. I

e! I've put off everything to-day. The worst of it is I can't do a

. On her way she met F. J. Rivers walking with the red-haired girl, so she felt sure that Lucy Winter was no lon

g home), and was thoughtful. Suddenly she caught sight of Bertie Wilton chattering to anoth

or a drive?" she said in

too well, Lady Chetwode, but perhaps I'd bette

are. Come along,

see if there was anything there like the little Romney he had at Half Moo

t you. So much so that I was trying to dr

icity; "if we are both horribly depress

u, and you were depressed about s

," she

ps that's why you like him so much. Perhaps it's very clever-with a person lik

mean by a per

erness I could never pretend to. I know I should be always th

her, wouldn't be back from Craig-y-nos till heaven knew when. Oddly enough, Mr. Wilton also had no engagement that evening. "So much so," he said, that he had taken a large box at the Gaiety all by himself, to go and see that new thing. Felicity, oddly enough-it was the first night

d noise and vulgarity, and your society, may brighten me u

the Club resulted in a promise from Bob and

table frame of mind, and nearly cried because sh

suddenly struck him both the smile and the button-hole were overdone. They were triumphant, and triumph was vulgar (and premature). He removed them both, and went out with a suitable tinge of gentle restrained melancholy, at once very becoming, respectful, and, he trusted, interesting. He knew he had not lost much ground by his boldness at his first visi

ate her toast, holding the Daily Mail upside down. She and Savile were sitting rather late

oked magnificent. (Pass me the toast, ol

other people, certainly," said Felicity argumenta

ghtingale! Thanks very much. Don

hat cynicism and rattling. Every one has two sides to their character (I believe in

gled people, that's all rot! I tell you s

ere's something so ready about him, and he's so kind and good-h

is a pity she married again before I knew her! An

until I wrote. There's a good deal in

vile looked

y, what are you

, I haven't t

ng up yesterday you

etter!" she showed him another of her

our husband, would write all that stuff-I beg your pardon-

k I shall dine out to-ni

what?" as

ged to-ni

with Mrs. Ogilvie and her pals-

ever boy! I'm not, we'

re a bit off colour. It's about Chetw

away. When he's here there's no need. Bes

'll go off this morning, and pretend I've come to help Chetwode to dig up old cabinets and things.

from yourself, mind. Perhaps you'd better not.

to-if you'll giv

st come in with Chetwode as early as you can this evening!" (She clapped her hands.) "This eveni

puts it off because he doesn't know you want him. My dear old gir

, darling-pe

e the B

supported by the feeling he was doing the right thing, and by re-reading the programme o

Chetwode"-then went to Onslow Square, where she found Sylvia in the garden. Sylvia was not reading

ds for a time. Then Sylvia said, "I

," she answered decidedly;

Mr. Woo

at his name, as she bent down to

t be nice when we go on the river?

have the same hous

means to buy it, I think. And I'm to have a music-room op

did you say you thought of Bertie Wilton? Th

hat, he might be-well, rather too much of a good thing, if

dn't, darling."

. Besides, people only love once. You wo

ows simply everything. He's a perfectly brilliant gossip. What do

was all right. A tête-à-tête dinner on so short an acquaintance with the most fascinating of hostesses seemed to

tell me all

me-I suppose you would ring for a

n a very good temper to-nigh

Chetwode's arrival by the 9.

lf not to go too far again, but it was really rather wonderful that she ha

al and sentimental career. But he was surprised to see that while he was singing something about "my dream, my desire, my despair" she was

nd she thanked him with

are, 'My dream.' Will you tell me someth

t is

always be

mean." Then she s

pened and Savile came in, while a voice outside wi

t of the room a

ile, with a condescending air of putting Wilton at his eas

vile's hospitable offer of a cigarette.

By the way, you'll excuse my sister for a few minut

Wilto

y-a home chat? Thanks very much. No, I won't stay now. Ask Lady Chetwode to excuse me. I

m, and chuckling a little to himself as he tried to fancy the language Wilton would probably use in the