"I suppose I'd better. After lunch 'll do, won't it?" "Oh, yes. And I'll write a note to him. I expect they won't be staying here long." "I hope not. Hullo, it's a quarter past twelve. We must be getting back. Laing's coming to lunch." "Where arc the Deanes?" "Lady Deane's gone to Belleville with your father to see slums, and Roger's playing tennis with Laing. He said we weren't to wait lunch. Are you hungry, Dolly?" "Not very. It seems only an hour since breakfast." "How charming of you! We've been walking here since ten o'clock." "Mr. Ellerton, will you be serious for a minute? I want to say something important. When we meet the Ashforths there mustn't be a word said about--about--you know." "Why not?" "Oh, I couldn't! So soon! Surely you see that. Why, it would be hardly civil to them, would it, apart from anything else?" "Well, it might look rather casual." "And I positively couldn't face John Ashforth. You promise, don't you?" "It's a nuisance, because, you see, Dolly---- "You're not to get into the habit of saying 'Dolly'. At least not yet." "Presently?" "If you're good. Now promise!" "All right." "We're not engaged." "All right." "Nor thinking of it," "Rather not." "That's very nice of you, and when the Ashforths are gone----" "I shall be duly rewarded?" "Oh, we'll see. Do come along. Papa hates being kept waiting for his meals, and they must have finished their slums long ago." They found Lady Deane and the General waiting for them, and the latter proposed an adjournment to a famous restaurant near the Opera. Thither they repaired, and ordered their lunch. "Deane and Laing will find out where we've gone and follow," said the General. "We won't wait," and he resumed his conversation with Lady Deane on the events of the morning. A moment later the absentees came in; Sir Roger in his usual leisurely fashion, Laing; hurriedly. The latter held in his hand two telegrams, or the crumpled debris thereof. He rushed up to the table and panted out, "Found 'em in the pocket of my blazer--must have put 'em there--stupid ass--never thought of it--put it on for tennis--awfully sorry." Wasting no time in reproaches, Dora and Charlie grasped their recovered property. "Excuse me!" they cried simultaneously, and opened the envelopes. A moment later both leant back in their chairs, the pictures of helpless bewilderment. Dora had read: "Marriage broken off. Coming to you 28th. Write directions--European, Paris." Charlie had read: "Engagement at end. Aunt and I coming to Paris--European, on 28th. Can you meet?" Lady Deane was writing in her notebook. The General, Sir Roger, and Laing were busy with the waiter, the menu, and the wine-list. Quick as thought the lovers exchanged telegrams. They read, and looked at one another. "What does it mean?" whispered Dora.