To please companies of women must now be her aim, and to avoid talking to any attractive men at all until she had obtained such a sure place that the jealousy of her own sex would be immaterial to her. She had observed that Lady Elton, whose songs she had accompanied, had a distinct penchant for Mr. Strobridge--unreturned she knew--but it behooved her to be more particularly careful. Another woman who had also spoken to her, a Mrs. Bosanquet, was really interesting--about fifty and highly intelligent. Katherine had carefully watched how she led the conversation in the group where she stood. As a company all these ladies were much gentler and more refined in manner than some of those who had assisted at the tableaux. She gathered from their remarks that they rather held themselves apart from these others and indeed laughed at them good-naturedly. There were sets within sets evidently, and this was the very inner _crême de la crême_. Katherine wondered how long it would be before some distinct goal presented itself--that would be for Fate to decide--and only those who had made themselves fit to profit by Fate's chances could hope to succeed in such a difficult game as she was playing; with every prejudice of class and sex against her, there was no time to be wasted in any foolish relaxations! She wondered if Lady Garribardine had approved of her behaviour. The old gentleman she had talked to had been intelligent if pompous, and she had enjoyed their discussion. She thought of the Chesterfield Letters--of what great use they had been to her! She saw the pitfalls they had enabled her to avoid. Now her next immediate aim must be to come down into the drawing-room as frequently as she was allowed. She determined to make herself of great use, and, if she had the chance to tackle any bore, so that her mistress should feel that she was of real service. At last she retired to bed well pleased with her evening. When Mr. Strobridge came into his aunt's sitting-room next morning he found her in a charming negligée and cap pouring out the coffee. "I could not wait for you, G.," she told him. "Sit down, quickly--there are only two dishes besides bacon and eggs--chicken curry and devilled sole--they are all on the table at your elbow." They chatted of several things, the party principally. "Now I have time, G.--to hear how it fares with Läo. How did you escape--with dignity--or rather in disgrace?" "She believes she threw me over; it is extremely fortunate. Beatrice was an invaluable help." Mr. Strobridge put some chutney in his curry. "Läo and I are the greatest friends--she feels that I fought hard with my inclinations and made a noble conquest--by absenting myself in Egypt! Now she is greatly amused with a Hussar boy at home on leave from India--she must be older than one thought." His aunt laughed delightedly.