It happened that she lunched downstairs. At such a large party as this, that meal was consumed at several small tables of six each, and of course the secretary was not placed at His Grace's! Indeed, she sat at one directly at his back, so that he could not see her, though once in a pause he heard her deep, fascinating voice. When later in the hall coffee and cigarettes had come, Katherine passed near him to put down a cup, and he seized the moment to address her. "In twenty minutes, I am coming from the smoking-room to the schoolroom--please be there." Miss Bush gave no sign as to whether or no she heard this remark, which was made in a low voice with a note of pleading in it. If he chose to do this, she would make it quite clear that she would have no clandestine acquaintance with him, but at the same time she experienced a delicious sense of excitement. She was seated before her typewriter busily typing innumerable letters, when she heard his footsteps outside, and then a gentle tap at the door. "Come in!" she called, and he appeared. His face looked stern, and not particularly good-tempered. "May I stay for a moment in this haven of rest, Miss Bush?" and he shut the door. "In so large a party, every sitting-room seems to be overflowing, and there is not a corner where one may talk in peace." Katherine had risen with her almost overrespectful air, which never concealed the mischievous twinkle in her eyes when she raised them, but now they were fixed upon the sheets of paper. "Your Grace is welcome to that armchair for a little, but I am very occupied. Lady Garribardine wishes these letters to go by this evening's post." "I wish you would not call me 'Your Grace'," he said, a little impatiently. "I cannot realise that you can be the same person whom I met at Gerard Strobridge's." "I am not," she looked up at him. "Why?" "It is obvious--I was me--myself, that night--a guest." "And now?" "Your Grace is not observant, I fear; I am Her Ladyship's secretary." "Of course--but still?" he came over quite close to her. "If I had been the same person as the one you met at Mr. Strobridge's, you would not now have been obliged to contrive to come to the schoolroom to speak to me." A dark flush mounted to his brow. She had touched a number of his refined sensibilities. Her words were so true and so simple, and her tone was quite calm, showing no personal emotion but merely as though she were announcing a fact. "That is unfortunately true, but these are only ridiculous conventions, which please let us brush aside. May I really sit down for a minute?" Katherine glanced at the clock; it was half-past three. "Until a quarter to four, if you wish. I am afraid I cannot spare more time than that."