CHAPTER XXV.
IN THE LIBRARY Henry Thresk took Mrs.Pettifer in to dinner that night and she found him poor company.

He tried indeed by fits and starts to entertain her, but his thoughts were elsewhere.

He was in a great pother and trouble about Stella Ballantyne, who sat over against him on the other side of the table.

She wore no traces of the consternation which his words had caused her a couple of hours before.

She had come dressed in a slim gown of shimmering blue with her small head erect, a smile upon her lips and a bright colour in her cheeks.