There were fewer people in the garden by this time. In the knowledge that the evening was nearly over, a wave of sentiment stirred Conrad. Even her message of comprehension did nothing to subdue his annoyance. What likelihood remained of a tête-à-tête? The evening from first to last had been wasted in stupidities. Presently another group went inside, presently there was no one left but themselves. Finally Lady Bletchworth yawned. He wished fervently that she had yawned an hour ago. "I think it's time we all went to bed," she said. "You've laid down the law quite enough, Charlie. Shall we see you in the morning, Mr. Warrener?" "Oh yes," he said, "of course. What time is the boat?" "I don't know--ten something, isn't it? Well, I'll say 'good night.' I wish we were staying on, really I do--I shall have a racking headache to-morrow evening. Are you ready, Joan?" "Quite," said Mrs. Adaile; "_I_ have a headache now." He was hopeless until she let him see her slip the porte-bonheur into her chair before she rose. "Good night, Mr. Warrener." "Good night, Mrs. Adaile," he said. When he was alone he sat down again, and waited for her return; her manoeuvre might fail, someone return with her--the bracelet must be lying where she had "dropped" it. More than five minutes crept by before a step sounded. He turned eagerly, and with dismay beheld Lord Armoury approaching. The intruder gaped at the view, and stood hesitating, with his hands in his pockets. It was an instant of the keenest suspense. Would he withdraw? No, he lounged forward. He threw himself into the very chair, and stretched his legs across another. Conrad muttered an anathema on him. "Eh?" said Lord Armoury. "I didn't speak," said Conrad frigidly. The young man took out a cigarette, and opened his match-box. It was empty. "Got a light?" he inquired. "I'm sorry I haven't," said Conrad, momentarily encouraged. "Rotten show!" said the Earl; "where's a waiter?" He contemplated his cigarette with a semi-intoxicated frown, and transferred his feet to the table. It was apparent that he meant to stop although he could not smoke. With his change of position he was liable to come in contact with the bracelet, and Conrad watched him nervously, but he did not seem to be discommoded by it. "Seen Paulette?" he asked. "No." The "no" of a man who is not to be drawn into conversation. "Pauly's a bit of _all_ right," affirmed the Earl, undeterred. "I don't pretend to be up to all the patter, but--wot _ho_!" Speechlessly Conrad hoped the lady wouldn't come back yet.