“Oh yes, yes, of course I know that. But--but the Chamberlain’s distinctions are not at all logical. The wives of small professional men and stockbrokers are eligible; and a lot of Americans get in who would never get presented if they were in a similar position in England to that which they hold in their own country; while no actress is eligible, however great her genius or however noble her character, and even women of rank lose their rights if they engage in trade. Altogether, there’s nothing to be gained by presentation now that the middle classes go to Court _en masse_, and if I were you I would very strongly urge your sister not to persist in her plan for you.” They were talking so earnestly, the girl impressed by his tones, and he excited by his fears for the result of the rash act suggested, that neither heard footsteps outside the door, and both were surprised when it opened, and Lady Jennings came in. She was in her outdoor dress, having just come in, and was looking cross and worried. She greeted the girl kindly, but without losing her look of annoyance, and turned abruptly to Gerard. “Ah, Mr. Buckland, how do you do?” she said, holding out her hand to him. “I hope you’ve come to tell me what has become of Rachel. She made an appointment with me at my club at seven, and has never turned up. She is getting frightfully unpunctual and tiresome.” Lilian uttered a little cry of dismay, and Gerard glanced quickly towards her to remind his hostess of the young girl’s presence. Lady Jennings uttered an impatient sigh. “Can you tell me anything about her?” she asked imperiously. “I’m told you brought back her cloak.” “Yes, I met her and took her to have some tea. She had done a long afternoon’s shopping and was tired.” “Afternoon’s shopping! Why, she had nothing to buy but a few veils and gloves, that I could have bought in half an hour,” cried Lady Jennings impatiently, thus confirming his own doubts as to Rachel’s account of her occupation that afternoon. “And where did she go to when you left her?” Gerard was nonplussed for a moment. He could not say that he had thought she was coming straight home, as that would certainly put Rachel herself into an awkward position when she did make her appearance. So he said-- “I understood that she was coming here, but I think she may have missed her cloak and gone back for it to the shops she had been to.” This was a good suggestion, and for the time Lady Jennings was partly appeased. She turned to Lilian, heard almost without listening the girl’s account of the reason of her visit, and then suggested that they should all go down to dinner together. But Gerard excused himself, and took his leave. He knew that there was trouble ahead; that this mysterious visit to the schoolgirl sister on the part of the white-haired gentleman who would not give his name, could only mean disaster for Rachel.