No gathering could be tedious when Canon Spratte was present, and the conversation proceeded merrily. Mrs. Crowley looked ravishing in a summer frock, and since she addressed herself exclusively to the handsome parson it was no wonder that he was in a good humour. She laughed appreciatively at his facile jests and gave him provoking glances of her bright eyes. He did not attempt to conceal from her that he thought American women the most delightful creatures in the world, and she made no secret of her opinion that ecclesiastical dignitaries were often fascinating. They paid one another outrageous compliments. It never struck the good man that these charms and graces were displayed only for the purpose of vexing a gentleman of forty, who was eating his luncheon irritably on the other side of her. She managed to avoid talking to Dick Lomas afterwards, but when she bade Lady Kelsey farewell, he rose also. 'Shall I drive you home?' he asked. 'I'm not going home, but if you like to drive me to Victoria Street, you may. I have an appointment there at four.' They went out, stepped into a cab, and quite coolly Dick told the driver to go to Hammersmith. He sat himself down by her side, with a smile of self-satisfaction. 'What on earth are you doing?' she cried. 'I want to have a talk to you.' 'I'm sure that's charming of you,' she answered, 'but I shall miss my appointment.' 'That's a matter of complete indifference to me.' 'Don't bother about my feelings, will you?' she replied, satirically. 'I have no intention of doing so,' he smiled. Mrs. Crowley was obliged to laugh at the neatness with which he had entrapped her. Or had he fallen into the trap which she had set for him? She really did not quite know. 'If your object in thus abducting me was to talk, hadn't you better do so?' she asked. 'I hope you will endeavour to be not only amusing but instructive.' 'I wanted to point out to you that it is not civil pointedly to ignore a man who is sitting next to you at luncheon.' 'Did I do that? I'm so sorry. But I know you're greedy, and I thought you'd be absorbed in the lobster mayonnaise.' 'I'm beginning to think I dislike you rather than otherwise,' he murmured reflectively. 'Ah, I suppose that is why you haven't been in to see me for so long.' 'May I venture to remind you that I've called upon you three times during the last week.' 'I've been out so much lately,' she answered, with a little wave of her hand. 'Nonsense. Once I heard you playing scales in the drawing-room, and once I positively saw you peeping at me through the curtains.' 'Why didn't you make a face at me?' she asked. 'You're not going to trouble to deny it?' 'It's perfectly true.' Dick could not help giving a little laugh. He didn't quite know whether he wanted to kiss Julia Crowley or to shake her. 'And may I ask why you've treated me in this abominable fashion?' he asked blandly.