"I don't, of course, expect you to admire The Lauderdale as a woman," George said. "But what, as a dramatic authority, do you think of her as an actress?" "I consider that dear old Ger could do quite as well if she had one half her chances," Mother said eagerly. "No doubt, no doubt! The cleverness lies in laying hold of the chances! Irene has a genius for advertisement." "Look after the 'ads,'" said my Mother, "and the acts will take care of themselves." "Good!" said George, "I should like to have said that myself." "I dare say you will, George," said Mother quite nicely, "when once I get you well again." I do think Mother is rather fond of George: she got him cured in less than a week, but she didn't let him out once during that time, and had him all to herself. It was great fun, seeing all his friends wandering about Whitby bored to death because Vero-Taylor was confined to the house. They used to get hold of me and Ariadne, and ask us how long they were going to be deprived of the pleasure of his society? They knew who we were by this time and made pets of us, as much as we would let them. I was too proud, but Ariadne's decision was complicated by a hopeless attachment she had started. "Love is enough!" she used to say, "and I _must_ go to Saltergate with the Scillys, for Simon is going!" CHAPTER XIV The young man that Ariadne loves is a more than friend of Lady Scilly, and I knew him first. He was there that day I lunched for the first time. On rice-pudding, I remember. Ariadne hardly knew him till we came here, though they had both taken part in Christina's wedding. He had just noticed her then; for once she was well turned out. On the strength of that notice she asked him to call, and he didn't; he would call now if she asked him, but we don't want him coming to the house on the quay, for we couldn't insulate Aunt Gerty. He stays with Lady Scilly in the house she has taken in St. Hilda's Terrace. Irene Lauderdale is there. He hates Irene, and contrives never to be in her company more than he can help! That's one to us.