"But do they?" persisted Patricia. "Can you, Mrs. Morton, seriously regard marriage in this country as a success? It's all because marriages are made in heaven without taking into consideration our climatic conditions." Miss Wangle had lost the power of speech. Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe was staring at Patricia as if she had been something strange and unclean upon which her eyes had never hitherto lighted. In the eyes of little Mrs. Hamilton, a delightfully French type of old lady, there was a gleam of amusement. Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe was the first to recover the power of speech. "Is your fiancé in the army?" "Yes," replied Patricia desperately. She had long since thrown over all caution. "Oh, tell us his name," giggled Miss Sikkum. "Brown," said Patricia. "Is his knapsack number 99?" enquired Mr. Bolton. "He doesn't wear one," said Patricia, now thoroughly enjoying herself. "Oh, he's an officer, then," this from Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe. "Is he a first or a second lieutenant?" enquired Mrs. Craske-Morton. "Major," responded Patricia laconically. "What's he in?" was the next question. "West Loamshires." "What battalion?" enquired Miss Wangle, who had now regained the power of speech. "I have a cousin in the Fifth." "I am sure I can't remember," said Patricia, "I never could remember numbers." "Not remember the number of the battalion in which your fiancé is?" There was incredulous disapproval in Miss Wangle's voice. "No! I'm awfully sorry," replied Patricia, "I suppose it's very horrid of me; but I'll go upstairs and look it up if you like." "Oh please don't trouble," said Miss Wangle icily. "I remember the dear bishop once saying----" "And I suppose after dinner you'll go to a theatre," interrupted Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe, for the first time in the memory of the oldest guest indifferent to the bishop and what he had said, thought, or done. "Oh, no, it's war time," said Patricia, "we shall just dine quietly at the Quadrant Grill-room." A meaning glance passed between Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe and Miss Wangle. Why she had fixed upon the Quadrant Grill-room Patricia could not have said. "And now," said Patricia, "I must run upstairs and see that my best bib and tucker are in proper condition to be worn before my fiancé. I'll tell him what you say about the ring. Good night, everybody, if we don't meet again."