There was an uneasy pause; then Edith said-- 'I saw Hyacinth today. She had just had a visit from Lady Cannon.' Bruce looked rather guilty and uncomfortable. 'I like Lady Cannon,' he said presently. 'She's a woman of sound sense. She has a very strong feeling of responsibility about Hyacinth.' 'Yes.' Edith and Hyacinth had arranged not to say any more, as it would be useless. 'A very discreet woman, too,' continued Bruce. 'And what news about Hyacinth?' 'None, I think. She seems very happy.' 'Happy! _That_ can't last.' After dinner Bruce followed Edith into the drawing-room, looked angrily at the flowers and said-- 'Now what's the meaning of all this? Mind, I'm not jealous. It isn't my nature to be. What I dislike is being made a fool of. If I thought that Raggett, after all I've done for him--' 'Oh, Bruce! How can you be so absurd? A poor harmless creature--' 'Harmless creature, indeed! I think it extremely marked, calling on you when I was out.' 'He didn't know you were out. It's the usual time to pay a visit, and he really came just to ask me to belong to the Society.' 'I don't call Raggett a society man.' 'He's a secret-society man,' said Edith. 'He wants me to be a Legitimist.' 'Now I won't have any nonsense of that sort here,' said Bruce, striking the table with his fist. 'Goodness knows where it will end. That sort of thing takes women away from the natural home duties, and I disapprove of it strongly. Why, he'll soon be asking you to be a Suffragette! I think I shall write to Raggett.' 'Oh, would you, really?' 'I shall write to him,' repeated Bruce, 'and tell him that I won't have these constant visits and marked attentions. I shall say you complained to me. Yes, that's the dignified way, and I shall request him to keep his secret societies to himself, and not to try to interfere with the peace and harmony of a happy English home.' He drew some writing-paper towards him. 'I'm sure he didn't mean the slightest harm. He thought it was the proper thing, after dining with us.' 'But it isn't like the man, Edith! It isn't Raggett! He's no slave to convention; don't think it. I can't help fancying that there must have been some ulterior motive. It seems to me sinister--that's the word--sinister.' 'Would you think it sinister if he never came, again?' 'Well, perhaps not, but in allowing this to pass--isn't it the thin end of the wedge?' 'Give him a chance and see,' she said. 'Don't be in a hurry. After all, he's your great friend. You're always talking to me about him; and what's he done?--sent a few flowers and called here once. I'm sure he thought you would like it.' 'But don't you see, Edith, the attention should have been paid to me, not to you.' 'He could hardly send you flowers, Bruce. I'm sure he thought it was the proper thing.' Bruce walked up and down the room greatly agitated.