"Not in my rooms," said Lady Penryn, very decidedly. "The ventilation is admirably done--a private arrangement of my own." Lady Lyons was too much awed to contradict her. "Poor dear thing! how do you feel now?" said Lady Lyons, turning again to Grace. "I feel better, Lady Lyons, and we will go home," said Grace. "And Lady Penryn, I must apologise for disturbing you all. What funny things everybody said. Do _you_ really believe in all that was said to-day?" Lady Penryn coughed gently. "My dear, the object of a meeting is to ventilate the subject." "Oh! I see. Well then, you do not mind my saying that it all struck me as very absurd!" "The question in itself is not absurd; and it should interest the moneyed class; and it is of general interest." "Then it should interest me, as I am one of the moneyed class," laughed Grace; "at least, I have an income all to myself." She was amused to see Lady Penryn look at her with redoubled interest when she made this statement. "Let us trust, dear child, that you will use your wealth wisely. Now will you not have some tea or wine?" she continued, waxing hospitable. Lady Lyons accepted, and they went downstairs before they left. Lady Penryn came up to Grace with a good deal of grace, and kissed her on both cheeks. "For the sake of old times," she said, plaintively. "She is a sweet young thing," she continued, "and has fulfilled the promise of her youth;" and Grace noted that she took care not to introduce either of the men standing near. "We will soon meet again, I _trust_," she said, in a pathetic voice. "That depends upon you," said Grace, quietly. "When you return our visit I hope we shall be at home." "Ah! till then, good-bye. Sweet thing--good-bye." "Sweet thing!--good-bye," mimicked Grace, as they got into the brougham. "Oh! my dear, hush!--some one might hear you." "Yes, the coachman. I think we had better pursue your Mrs. Penshurst." "If I could but remember anything about her husband--but I do not. I lay awake for half-an-hour last night, and I cannot recall his Christian name. It may be Charles, but I think it is John--no, it may be James," and Lady Lyons looked blankly before her. Grace threw herself back in the brougham with a good deal of petulance. They had been three weeks in London and had not achieved a single acquaintance. As the carriage turned into Brook Street Grace suddenly caught sight of Sir Albert Gerald. She pulled the check-string, and called him by name. Much surprised, he turned round and came up to her. She was so near Margaret that it was a pleasure to meet her. "Come and see me," said Grace: "come to tea. This is Lady Lyons. I want particularly to see you--can you come to-morrow?" "If you could see me early--but I leave town to-morrow afternoon for a few days." "I will see you at any time. Eleven in the morning will find me clothed and in my right mind, in the stuffy little sitting-room we call our own."