If she had told the truth, Mr.Troy would have unquestionably returned to the drawing-room, with or without an acceptable excuse for intruding himself.

But Isabel was a woman; and her answer, it is needless to say, was "I don't know, I'm sure." In the mean time, the interview between the two ladies began in a manner which would have astonished Mr.Troy--they were both silent.

For once in her life Lady Lydiard was considering what she should say, before she said it.

Miss Pink, on her side, naturally waited to hear what object her Ladyship had in view--waited, until her small reserve of patience gave way.

Urged by irresistible curiosity, she spoke first.
"Have you anything to say to me in private ?" she asked.
Lady Lydiard had not got to the end of her reflections.