A glance at his own watch, and Hugh, saying, “You’re right, _home_,” drew up the window, and threw himself back in consternation. “Am I mad, or dreaming?” he asked himself. He had missed a lecture for the first time since his appointment ten years ago! CHAPTER XII. “’TWIXT THE CUP AND THE LIP.” “Incredible! Preposterous!” That was Dr. Paull’s mental attitude: he could not understand how that hour, or more, had slipped away in the princess’ boudoir. His annoyance, and his difficulty in accounting for his absence from his post, made him half-forgetful of the princess’ expressed determination to see him every day. Next morning, when Sir David Forwood was announced, he had no idea of his old friend’s errand. “No one ill, I hope?” he said, with concern; he left his consulting-room to join his visitor in the dingy old drawing-room, a melancholy apartment. He was fond of the Forwood children, one or two of whom were weakly. “No,” said Sir David, who looked as he felt, uncomfortable. “Really I am ashamed to come on such an errand to a man like you, Paull. But you must blame my wife and Lady Boisville, rather than myself. Lady Boisville gives a concert to-night in honour of the young French prince, and she has set her heart on your being there. She actually came herself about it, and the two ladies packed me off to secure you. I am afraid you will have to come, Paull, or I shall never be forgiven.” Dr. Paull smiled. He remembered. His new patient evidently understood how to carry out her whims. “I am pledged to go, or I certainly would not. These things are not at all in my line,” he said. “Pledged to go?” Sir David looked astonished. “Lady Boisville must have been mistaken, then. She said it was an afterthought of hers, and was so afraid you would be offended at being asked so late in the day.” “I knew nothing of the entertainment; still, I am pledged to go,” said Hugh, amused at Sir David’s innocence. “I will be there.” Then Sir David departed, perplexed, as he would not have been had his wife been a society _intrigante_. Going into the dining-room to luncheon, Hugh was startled to see Mrs. Mervyn, without her bonnet and shawl. “Good heavens!” he said, startled. What brings _you_ to town?” “You, of course,” said Mrs. Mervyn, amused. “How do you think the Pinewood is to be restored, and all that, without some one working pretty hard? Ralph and I have our work cut out for us this next week, I can tell you. Ralph arranged for my staying here. I won’t be in your way, I promise you.”