All this may seem too many words about a simple thing. Perhaps Sibyl's way of disposing of the subject was more intelligible--saved trouble, certainly. "That man admires you too much, Judith, for it to be safe to play tricks with him. You'll do this sort of thing once too often. And then you'll be sorry." However, it was clear that there could be no real danger as long as the lady remained detached, and very little as long as the gentleman was convinced that she was so. And he may have been so convinced--one would have said--when he found himself able to answer Judith with a philosophical, "Have you ever known a new acquaintance not to change completely in the first six months?" And she may have thought he was running too much to abstractions when she said, "I did not say you had changed completely"; as though she would not have him suppose her too unconcerned. He was not to slip from the web she was weaving round him by a device of gossipy discussion. Her remark just met the case; and the soul-brush, which had got a little out of gear, got to work again. They went back to the tragedy, and talked of it so long that at length it came to measuring the minutes by his watch. Then Judith said to him, as though she had but just recollected it: "You found my letter, I suppose?" No, he had not--had she written? Oh yes!--it was posted last thing last night. There was nothing in it, or she would have spoken about it. The fact that she had written lubricated that soul-brush. But he must go, or he would be late. A few more words, mostly about how last night's entertainment had missed her presence, and the lady the Ross Tarbets had brought in her stead had proved a failure, and then Challis was standing beside her to say adieu--her hand in his. Really inevitable, if you think of it, on the supposition that the forms of civilization are to continue to hold good. It was a perversity of Fate that chose this very moment for the only other frequenter of that room to open the door unheard. Judith could not see her sister through Challis as he stood there. He turned to go. "Oh, Mr. Challis. I did not see it was you. Perhaps you are talking business. Don't let me disturb you." "Not at all. I am just going." "Stop one minute, Mr. Challis." Thus Judith. "Never mind Sibyl! You _must_ try to persuade Mrs. Challis to come and see us. Now promise you will!" She had not referred to Marianne before, by the way. "I'll try what I can do. But my wife goes her own way. Good-bye! Good-bye, Miss Sibyl!" * * * * * "How long had he been here?" "Over an hour. I can't say exactly. You must ask Elphinstone when he came, if you want to know." "It doesn't matter to me when he came." "You asked." Sibyl made no reply. A lunch-gong sounded below, and she vanished, but presently returned. "You are not coming down to lunch?" she said. "At least, are you? Or not?" "Of course not! How could I, without flying in Sir Rhyscombe's face?"