Patricia looked at him. She wished he would not smile at her in that way and assume an air of penitence. It was so disarming. It was unfair. He was taking a mean advantage. He was always taking a mean advantage of her, always putting her in the wrong. By keeping her face carefully averted from his, she was able to tinge her voice with indignation as she demanded: "Why did you not tell me who you were?" "But I did," he protested. "You said that you were Colonel Bowen, and you are not." Patricia was pleased to find her sense of outraged indignation increasing. "You have made me ridiculous in the eyes of everyone at Galvin House." "But," protested Bowen. "It's no good saying 'but,'" replied Patricia unreasonably, "you know I'm right." "But I told you my name was Bowen," he said, "and later I told you that my rank was that of a lieutenant-colonel, both of which are quite correct." "You are Lord Peter Bowen, and you've made me ridiculous," then conscious of the absurdity of her words, Patricia laughed; but there was no mirth in her laughter. "Made you ridiculous," said Bowen, concern in his voice. "But how?" "Oh, I am not referring to your boy-messengers and telegrams, florists' shops, confectioners' stocks," said Patricia, "but all the tabbies in Galvin House set themselves to work to find out who you were and--and--look what an absurd figure I cut! Then of course Aunt Adelaide must butt in." "Aunt Adelaide!" repeated Bowen, knitting his brows. "Tabbies at Galvin House!" "If you repeat my words like that I shall scream," said Patricia. "I wish you would try and be intelligent. Miss Wangle told Aunt Adelaide that I'm engaged to Lord Peter Bowen. Aunt Adelaide then asked me about my engagement, and I had to make up some sort of story about Colonel Bowen. She then enquired if it were true that I was engaged to Lord Peter Bowen. Of course I said 'No,' and that is where we are at present, and you've got to help me out. You got me into the mess." "Might I enquire who Aunt Adelaide is, please, Patricia?" Bowen's humility made him very difficult to talk to. "Aunt Adelaide is my sole surviving relative, vide her own statement," said Patricia. "If I had my way she would be neither surviving nor a relative; but as it happens she is both, and to-morrow afternoon at half-past five she is coming to Galvin House to receive a full explanation of my conduct." Bowen compressed his lips and wrinkled his forehead; but there was laughter in his eyes. "It's difficult, isn't it, Patricia?" he said. "It's absurd, and please don't call me Patricia." "But we're engaged and----" "We're nothing of the sort," she said. "But we are," protested Bowen. "I can----" "Never mind what you can do," she retorted. "What am I to tell Aunt Adelaide at half-past five to-morrow evening?" "Why not tell her the truth?" said Bowen.