CONSEQUENCES The dinner-party at Little Beeding was a small affair.

There were but ten altogether who sat down at Mr.Hazlewood's dinner-table and with the exception of the Pettifers all, owing to Dick Hazlewood's insistence, were declared partisans of Stella Ballantyne.

None the less Stella came to it with hesitation.

It was the first time that she had dined abroad since she had left India, now the best part of eighteen months ago, and she went forth to it as to an ordeal.

For though friends of hers would be present to enhearten her she was to meet the Pettifers.