_Mrs. T._ Thank you, MONTAGUE--but I won't have one of your German clerks at _my_ table--everyone would see what he was in a minute. And he mightn't even have a dress-suit! Let me think ... _I_ know what we can do. BLANKLEY supplies extra guests for parties and things. I remember seeing it in the paper. We must hire a man there. Go there at once, MONTAGUE, it's very little out of your way, and tell them to be sure and send a gentlemanly person--he needn't talk much, and he won't be required to tell any anecdotes. Make haste, say they can put him down to my deposit account. _Mr. T._ I don't half like the idea, MARIA, but I suppose it's the only thing left. I'll go and see what they can do for us. [_He goes out._ _Mrs. T._ I _know_ he'll make some muddle--I'd better do it myself! (_She rushes out into the passage._) JANE, is your Master gone? Call him back--there, I'll do it. (_She calls after Mr. T.'s retreating form from the doorstep._) MONTAGUE! never mind about BLANKLEY'S. _I_'ll see to it. Do you hear? _Mr. T.'s Voice_ (_from the corner_). All right, my love, all right! I hear. _Mrs. T._ I must go round before lunch. JANE, send Miss SEATON to me in the breakfast-room. (_She goes back to her desk; presently_ Miss MARJORY SEATON _enters the room; she is young and extremely pretty, with an air of dejected endurance_.) Oh, Miss SEATON, just copy out these _menus_ for me, in your neatest writing, and see that the French is all right. You will have plenty of time for it, as I shall take Miss GWENDOLEN out myself this morning. By the way, I shall expect you to appear in the drawing-room this evening before dinner. I hope you have a suitable frock? _Miss Seaton._ I have a black one with lace sleeves and heliotrope _chiffon_, if that will do--it was made in Paris. _Mrs. T._ You are fortunate to be able to command such luxuries. All _my_ dresses are made in the Grove. _Miss Seat._ (_biting her lip_). Mine was made when we--before I---- [_She checks herself._ _Mrs. T._ You need not remind me _quite_ so often that your circumstances were formerly different, Miss SEATON, for I am perfectly aware of the fact. Otherwise, I should not feel justified in bringing you in contact, even for so short a time, with my relations and friends, who are _most_ particular. I think that is all I wanted you for at present. Stop, you are forgetting the _menus_. [Miss SEATON _collects the cards and goes out with compressed lips as_ JANE _enters_. _Jane._ Another telegram, if you please, M'm, and Cook would like to speak to you about the pheasants. [Illustration: THE POET LAUREATE OF THE MUSIC HALLS. A STUDY. [_See p. 33._