“The tea will be grateful, I admit,” returned Robert, doing her bidding, “but your society no less. In fact, I want to speak to you.” “Yes?” “Mrs. Clarendon refuses my invitation--that I mentioned in my letter, you remember.” “Refuses? What is her objection?” “Nothing definite. She says she cannot leave England, that’s all. Has she--I don’t think there’s any harm in asking you, is there?--has she spoken with you at all of what she is going to do?” “Well, no. In fact, it’s a subject she won’t approach. I don’t think she has formed any plans whatever yet.” Asquith reflected, and at the same time tea was brought in and lamps lit. “I half supposed,” said Mrs. Stratton, glancing aside at him, as she held up the teapot, “that you were the most likely person to know of her plans.” “I assure you, Mrs. Stratton, that was a mistake, an entire mistake.” The lady raised her eyebrows a little and carefully removed a tea-leaf from her cup. “You take it for granted,” she asked, after a moment, “that she will really quit Knights-well?” “How otherwise? I am perfectly sure that nothing would induce her to continue living there under the new _régime_. If the persons concerned had been--had been other than they of course the affair might have been very simple. But not as it is.” “By-the-bye,” he added, “she gave me one piece of information. She does not intend to live in London.” “Where then, I wonder?” “I can’t conjecture.” “I would repeat the invitation, I think,” said Mrs. Stratton, looking at him. “I shall do so, though not just yet.” The colonel and Mr. Lyster came in talking loudly. . “Ah, we left you asleep,” said the former to Robert. “Didn’t like to disturb you. We’ve had a walk.” “A walk, in this weather!” exclaimed his wife. “Oh yes; a little rain does one no harm. Not a bad afternoon; there’s a pleasant warmth in the air. Don’t you notice a warmth in the air, Asquith?” “Yes, here in the drawing-room. I can’t answer for outside.” “Oh, it’s distinctly warm. Eh, Lyster?” Mrs. Clarendon appeared in the room. The colonel lost his ease, and began to walk about. The conversation became general.