'They weren't either, and that was why Dante couldn't stand them. He said there was no place in Heaven nor in Purgatory--not even a corner in Hell, for the souls who had stood aloof from strife.' The smile faded as she stood there looking steadily into the girl's eyes. 'He called them "wretches who never lived," Dante did, because they'd never felt the pangs of partisanship. And so they wander homeless on the skirts of limbo, among the abortions and off-scourings of Creation.' The girl drew a fluttering breath. Miss Levering glanced at the clock, and turned away to make her leisurely adieux among the group at the window. Mrs. Heriot left it at once. 'What was that about a telephone message, Jean darling?' The girl glanced at the paper, and then quite suddenly said to Lady John-- 'Aunt Ellen, I've got to go to London!' 'Not to-day!' 'My dear child!' 'Nonsense!' 'Is your grandfather worse?' 'N--no. I don't think my grandfather is any worse. But I must go, all the same.' 'You _can't_ go away,' whispered Mrs. Heriot, 'when Mr. Stonor----' 'Back me up!' Jean whispered to Lady John. 'He said he'd have to leave directly after luncheon. And anyhow--all these people--please have us another time.' 'I'll just see Miss Levering off,' said Lady John, 'and then I'll come back and talk about it.' In the midst of the good-byeing that was going on over by the window, Jean suddenly exclaimed-- 'There mayn't be another train! Miss Levering!' But Stonor was standing in front of the girl barring the way. 'What if there isn't? I'll take you back in my motor,' he said aside. '_Will_ you?' In her rapture at the thought Jean clasped her hands, and the paper fluttered to the floor. 'But I must be there by three,' she said. He had picked up the telegraph form as well as the handkerchief lying near. 'Why, it's only an invitation to dine--Wednesday!' 'Sh!' She took the paper. 'Oh! I see!' He smiled and lowered his voice. 'It's rather dear of you to arrange our going off like that. You _are_ a clever little girl!' 'It's not exactly that I was arranging. I want to hear those women in Trafalgar Square--the Suffragettes.' He stared at her more than half incredulous, but smiling still. 'How perfectly absurd! Besides,'--he looked across the room at Lady John--'besides, I expect she wouldn't like my carrying you off like that.' 'Then she'll have to make an excuse, and come too.' 'Ah, it wouldn't be quite the same if she did that.' But Jean had thought it out. 'Aunt Ellen and I could get back quite well in time for dinner.' The group that had closed about the departing guest dissolved. 'Why are you saying good-bye as if you were never coming back?' Lord John demanded. 'One never knows,' Miss Levering laughed. 'Maybe I shan't come back.' 'Don't talk as if you meant never!' said Mrs. Freddy. 'Perhaps I do mean never.' She nodded to Stonor. He bowed ceremoniously. 'Never come back! What nonsense are you talking?' said Lady John.