Why had he come?
Was it to see herself or Bertha Dorset?
It was the last question which, at that moment, should have engaged her.

She might better have contented herself with thinking that he had simply responded to the despairing summons of his hostess, anxious to interpose him between herself and the ill-humour of Mrs.Dorset.But Lily had not rested till she learned from Mrs.Trenor that Selden had come of his own accord.

"He didn't even wire me--he just happened to find the trap at the station.

Perhaps it's not over with Bertha after all," Mrs.Trenor musingly concluded; and went away to arrange her dinner-cards accordingly.
Perhaps it was not, Lily reflected; but it should be soon, unless she had lost her cunning.

If Selden had come at Mrs.Dorset's call, it was at her own that he would stay.