Of course he was convinced that there could be nothing in the least ridiculous in his behaviour! A man, as they say, is as old as he feels, and especially during the last fortnight Colonel Faversham had felt almost a boy again. The spring was in his blood! Moreover, he flattered himself that he had not begun to look old! Still, he was sensitive lest Carrissima should fancy he was making an ass of himself, and, as usual at such times, he began to bluster. "Necessary!" he shouted, growing dangerously red in the face. "If it comes to that it isn't necessary we should dine at all. Most of us eat a great deal too much. Anyhow, it is very desirable that Miss Rosser should be treated with common courtesy. Besides, I wish it. That, I imagine, ought to be enough! We don't want a crowd or anything elaborate. No infernal fuss or ceremony. Just a family party: just Lawrence and his wife. They have never seen Miss Rosser!" "Oh yes," said Carrissima. "Lawrence has seen her." "She told me only the other day that she hadn't met him. I wondered why on earth you hadn't introduced her to Phoebe!" "Lawrence," Carrissima explained, "saw Bridget going into the Haymarket Theatre with you the other afternoon." "Good heavens!" exclaimed Colonel Faversham, stamping about the room, "it has come to this! I mustn't go to the play without begging my children's permission. I haven't a scrap of individuality of my own left! I am compelled to ask Lawrence before I move a step!" "Not at all," said Carrissima. "Only I seem to recollect your telling me you were going to play at bridge at the club that Saturday afternoon." "And mayn't a man change his mind, I should like to know!" "In time to book seats," suggested Carrissima. "No sarcasm, if you please," was the answer. "I won't allow it. I simply won't allow it in my house," he added, clenching his fist and bringing it down heavily on the breakfast-table so that the cups and saucers rattled. "Oh well, father," said Carrissima, "there's not the least use in getting angry, you know." "I am not angry," cried Colonel Faversham, rubbing the side of his hand. "I don't know what you would call it!" "I may have been a little vehement," he replied. "No wonder. I make a simple suggestion, and surely I have a right to expect my daughter to adopt it." "If Bridget is to be asked to dine," said Carrissima, with a sigh, "I think we ought to invite some one outside our own family." "Am I the master here, or am I not?" demanded Colonel Faversham. "Very well! You will write to Phoebe to-day. Get her and Lawrence to fix an evening--this week if possible--and then ask Miss Rosser." "Lawrence is not likely to come," suggested Carrissima. "Why not?" "Anyhow, he refused to allow Phoebe to go to Golfney Place!" "You will kindly do as I tell you," said the colonel. "Lawrence has more sense than you give him credit for."