At dinner some score of persons were Mrs.Toplady's guests.

Only as the clock pointed towards midnight did they find an opportunity of returning to the subject of bio-sociology.

Mrs.Toplady wished for an intimate chat with her guest, who was soon to leave her; she reclined comfortably in a settee, and looked at the girl, who made a pretty picture in a high-backed chair.
"I hear that Mr.Lashmar leaves Rivenoak to-morrow," she said, referring to a letter that had arrived from Lady Ogram this evening.

"I hope he won't be gone when the magazine arrives." "Indeed?
He comes back to-morrow ?" said May.
"Not to London.

He goes to spend a day or two with his people, it seems.