CHAPTER XII.
Mrs.Paston Benedek, on the following afternoon, sat in one corner of the very comfortable lounge set with its back to the light in her charming drawing-room.

Norgate sat in the other.
"I think it is perfectly sweet of you to come," she declared.

"I do not care how many enemies I make--I will certainly dine with you to-night.
How I shall manage it I do not yet know.

You shall call for me here at eight o'clock--or say a quarter past, then we need not hurry away too early from the club.

If Captain Baring is there, perhaps it would be better if you did not speak of our engagement." Norgate sighed.
"What is the wonderful attraction about Baring ?" he asked discontentedly.
"Really, there isn't any," she replied.