"I shall be going out at three o'clock, Trotter. Be on time. I insist on punctuality." "Very good, madam," he said, and retreated in good order. She halted him at the door. "Above all things you mustn't let any of these silly women make a fool of you, Trotter," she said, a troubled gleam in her eyes. "I will do my best, madam," he assured her. And that very afternoon she appeared in triumph at the home of her daughter-in-law (the _young_ Mrs. Millidew) and invited that widowed siren to go out for a spin with her "behind the stunningest creature you ever laid your eyes on." "Where did you get him?" inquired the beautiful daughter-in-law, later on, in a voice perfectly audible to the man at the wheel. "He's the best looking thing in town. Don't be surprised if I steal him inside of a week." She might as well have been at the zoo, discussing impervious captives. "Now, don't try anything like that," cried Mrs. Millidew the elder, glaring fiercely. "I like the way his hair kinks in the back,--and just above his ears," said the other. "And his skin is as smooth and as clear--" "Is there any drive in particular you would like to take, madam?" broke in Trotter, turning in the seat. "Up--up and down Fifth Avenue," said Mrs. Millidew promptly. "Did you ever see such teeth?" cried Mrs. Millidew, the younger, delightedly. Trotter's ears were noticeable on account of their colour. CHAPTER X PUTTING THEIR HEADS--AND HEARTS--TOGETHER "FOR every caress," philosophized the Marchioness, "there is a pinch. Somehow they manage to keep on pretty even terms. One receives the caresses fairly early in life, the pinches later on. You shouldn't be complaining at your time of life, my friend." She was speaking to Lord Temple, who had presented himself a full thirty minutes ahead of other expected guests at the Wednesday evening salon. He explained that he came early because he had to leave early. Mrs. Millidew was at the theatre. She was giving a box party. He had been directed to return to the theatre before the end of the second act. Mrs. Millidew, it appears, was in the habit of "walking out" on every play she attended, sometimes at the end of an act but more frequently in the middle of it, greatly to the relief of actors and audience. * * * * * ("Tell me something good to read," said one of her guests, in the middle of the first act, addressing no one in particular, the audience being a very large one. "Is there anything new that's worth while?" "_The Three Musketeers_ is a corker," said the man next her. "Awfully exciting." "Write it down for me, dear boy. I will order it sent up tomorrow. One has so little time to read, you know. Anything else?"