“I was sure he remembered me, for he kept eyeing me all the time at the supper-table, where he was seated a few places below. I heard his name, but I think I should have remembered him without, for he has altered wonderfully little, in spite of the fact that he must be getting on. After supper was over I went up to him and took the initiative by asking him after all the good folks at Brinkstone. He was awfully nice and affable; he asked especially after you, but I kept very mum, said I had lost sight of you for years. We got on famously together. It seems he goes about a good deal amongst the profession. He’s coming to lunch at my flat next week. I think he was quite taken with me. Daisy Deldine chaffed me awfully about him after he left.” The middle-aged woman, who certainly looked ten years younger than her years, bridled like a girl as she added: “Fancy me, at my time of life, attracting a real gentleman, for there’s no doubt about _him_.” Mrs. Morrice smiled. It struck her that if Sir George had been taken by her friend, she fully reciprocated the baronet’s admiration. Presently the conversation turned to young John Graham, who had been put into a City office a short time before by his guardian to teach him business habits. Alma had grown very fond of her charge but there were things about him that worried her. He was of a reckless temperament, far from industrious and wickedly extravagant. He was always asking for money, and sulky and bad-tempered when she refused him. In subsequent meetings with her friend, Mrs. Morrice learned that Sir George had lunched with Alma, and that the acquaintance had ripened considerably. It was hardly possible to think that this well-born man contemplated marrying out of his own class, but there could be no doubt that he was considerably attracted by Miss Buckley. On her part, when closely questioned, she did not attempt to deny that she, the middle-aged woman who had scoffed at men and marriage for so many years, was as much in love with him as a woman could expect to be at her time of life. If Sir George asked her to be his wife, she would gladly say Yes, and if he could not make up his mind to take the fatal step she was quite ready to remain his very good friend and companion.