And inwardly Mrs.
Cricklander burned.
Cora was a second cousin of her divorced husband, and belonged by birth to that inner cream of New York society which she hated in her heart.
Never, never again would she be so foolish as to chance crossing swords with one of her own nation.

But aloud she acquiesced blandly and arranged that they should start at eleven o'clock.
"Perhaps we could persuade him to return to lunch with us ?" she hazarded.

"And that would be so nice." "You must do what you can with him," John Derringham said.

"I have prepared him to find you beautiful--as you are." "You say lovely things about me behind my back, then ?" she laughed.

"Now he will be disappointed!" "Yes, I admit it was a _betise_--but, being my real thoughts, they slipped out when I was there to-day.