the whole table for your accounts!").... "It's coming to _this_, Honoria," says David, clearing his throat, "that you will soon be wanting not to be bothered any more with the affairs of _Fraser and Warren_, and after I really get into the Law business I too shall require to detach myself. Let us therefore be thankful that Beryl is shaping so well. I rather think this summer you will have to get more office accommodation and give her some more responsible women to help her.... _Now_ finish what you were saying about Major Armstrong." _Honoria_: "Of _course_ I shall marry him some day. I suppose I felt that the day after I first met him. But it amuses me to be under no illusion. I am sure this is what happened two years ago--or whenever it was he came back wounded from your favourite haunt, South Africa. Michael Rossiter--who likes 'Army' enormously--I think they were at school or college together--said to Linda, his wife: 'Here's Armstrong. One of the best. Wants to marry. Wife must have a little money, otherwise he'll have to go on letting Petworth Manor. And here's Honoria Fraser, one of the finest women I've ever met. Getting a little long in the tooth--or will be soon. Let's bring 'em together and make a match of it.' "So we are each convoked for a luncheon, with a projected adjournment to Kew--which _you_ spoilt--and there it is. But joking apart, 'Army' is a dear and I am sure by now he wants me even more than my money--and I certainly want him. I'm rising thirty and I long for children and don't want 'em to come to me too late in life." _David_: "You said he didn't like _me_..." _Honoria_: "Oh that was half nonsense. When we all met last Sunday at the Rossiters he became very jealous and suspicious. Asked who was that whipper-snapper--I said you neither whipped nor snapped, especially if kindly treated. He said then who was that Madonna young man--a phrase it appears he'd picked up from Lord Cromer, who used to apply it to every new arrival from the Foreign Office--Armstrong was once his military secretary. I was surprised to hear he thought you womanish--I spoke of your fencing, riding,--was just going to add 'hockey,' and 'croquet': then remembered they might be thought feminine pastimes, so referred to your swimming. Military men always respect a good swimmer; I fancy because many of them funk the water.... I was just going on to explain that you were a cousin of a great friend of mine and helped me in my business, when a commissionaire came from Quansions in a hansom to say that mother was feeling very bad again. 'Army' and I went back in the hansom, but I was crying a little and being a gentleman he did not press his suit..." Enter Lady Fraser's nurse on tiptoe. Says in a very hushed voice "Major Armstrong has called, Miss Fraser. He came to ask about Lady Fraser. I said if anything she was a bit better and had had a good sleep. He then asked if he might see you."