CHAPTER VII.
THE BROKEN SPELL Biddy was in the act of handing round the tea when there came the sound of a step outside, and an impatient hand thrust open the door.
"Hullo, Stumpy!" said a voice.

"Are you here?
What have you done with Miss Bathurst?
She's engaged to me for the next dance." Eustace entered with the words, but stopped short on the threshold.

"Hullo! You are here! I thought you had given me the slip." Dinah looked up at him with merry eyes.

"So I have--practically.

I am on my way to bed." "Oh, nonsense!" he said, with his easy imperiousness.