After all, a companion like this was soothing, made no demands, filled a pleasant enough place in the broken ways of life, provided one had no other aspirations.

And then the thought passed from him,--forever.
They took their coffee and liqueurs in the foyer.

Flossie, perfectly satisfied with her companion and her progress with him, chattered gaily away with scarcely a pause, and Wingate, after his first resentment at her coming had passed, found a certain relief in sitting and listening to her equable flow of nonsense.

By and by, however, she came very near annoying him.
"You know Lady Dredlinton very well, don't you Mr.Wingate ?" she asked, a little abruptly.
His answer was marked with a warning note of stiffness.
"Lady Dredlinton," he repeated.

"I know her, certainly.