The newcomer simply bowed to Hunterleys and addressed some remark about the room to Violet.

Then Richard came up and they all passed on into the reception room, where two or three very fussy but very suave and charming Frenchmen were receiving the guests.

A few minutes afterwards dinner was announced.

A black frown was upon Richard's forehead.
"She isn't coming!" he muttered.

"I say, Sir Henry, you won't mind if we leave early ?" "I shall be jolly glad to get away," Hunterleys assented heartily.
Then he suddenly felt a grip of iron upon his arm.
"She's come!" Richard murmured ecstatically.