"It's no good, Mr. Triggs. When Tanagra wants anything she has it," said Bowen with a laugh. "It doesn't matter whether it's the largest pear or the nicest man!" Lady Tanagra laughed. "Now we'll go down into the dining-room." For an hour and a half they talked of Patricia, and at the end of the meal both Lady Tanagra and Bowen knew that they had a firm ally in Mr. Triggs. "Don't forget, Mr. Triggs," cried Lady Tanagra as she bade him good-bye in the vestibule. "You're a match-maker now, and you must be very careful." And Mr. Triggs lifted his hat and waved his umbrella as, wreathed in smiles, he trotted towards the revolving doors and out into the street. After he had gone Lady Tanagra extracted from Bowen a grudging promise of implicit obedience. He must not see, telephone, write or telegraph to Patricia. He was to eliminate himself altogether. "But for how long, Tan?" he enquired moodily. "It may be for years and it may be for ever," cried Lady Tanagra gaily as she buttoned her gloves. "Anyhow, it's your only chance." "Damn!" muttered Bowen under his breath as he watched her disappear; "but I'll give it a trial." II The next afternoon as Patricia walked down the steps of Number 426 Eaton Square and turned to the left, she was conscious that in spite of the summer sunshine the world was very grey about her. She had not gone a hundred yards before Lady Tanagra's grey car slid up beside her. "Will you take pity on me, Patricia? I'm at a loose end," cried Lady Tanagra. Patricia turned with a little cry of pleasure. "Jump in," cried Lady Tanagra. "It's no good refusing a Bowen. Our epidermises are too thick, or should it be epidermi?" Patricia shook her head and laughed as she seated herself beside Lady Tanagra. The car crooned its way up Sloane Street and across into Knightsbridge, Lady Tanagra intent upon her driving. "Is it indiscreet to ask where you are taking me?" enquired Patricia with elaborate humility. Lady Tanagra laughed as she jammed on the brake to avoid running into the stern of a motor-omnibus. "I feel like a pirate to-day. I want to run away with someone, or do something desperate. Have you ever felt like that?" "A politician's secretary must not encourage such unrespectable instincts," she replied. Lady Tanagra looked at her quickly, noting the flatness of her voice. "A wise hen should never brood upon being a hen," she remarked oracularly. Patricia laughed. "It is all very well for Dives to tell Lazarus that it is noble to withstand the pangs of hunger," she replied. "Now let us go and get tea," said Lady Tanagra, as she turned the car into the road running between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. "Tea!" cried Patricia, "why it's past five."