"You've just missed Lord Fillingford. Or did you see him as he went away? "Yes, I met him and had a little talk with him. Young Lacey's been gossiping with me most of the afternoon." Loft must have wanted to hear, but you'd never have known it! He withdrew, imperturbable and serene. I think that Loft should be added to the god and the brute, to form a trinity of impeccable illegibility. At a sign from Jenny I took my tea and drank it. She sat very quiet, exhausted as it seemed, yet still thinking hard. I did not speak. "A long call, wasn't it?" she said at last, and a faint smile flickered on her lips. "It was--and it seemed so, I daresay." "How did he look?" "Exceedingly well-content. And Lacey seemed most contented with his appearance." She shrugged her shoulders and smiled again rather contemptuously. I set down my cup and came to her. "Well, good-night, Lady Jenny," I said. She looked up at me and suddenly spoke out the truth--in a hard voice, bitter and resentful. "With prayers and vows--yes, and tears," she said, "I've saved a week." "Before you give your answer?" "No. The answer is given. Before the engagement is announced." "If you've given your answer, announce it to-night." She did not resent my counsel. But she shook her head. "I've fought that battle with him already. I--I can't." She rose suddenly to her feet and stood before me. "I've done it. I've managed to do it. It's done--and I stand by it. But not to-day! I must have a week." She stretched out her hands to me in appeal; there was a curious mixture of mockery and of passion in her voice. She mocked me for certain--perhaps she mocked herself, too; yet she was strongly moved. "Dear old, kind, little-understanding Austin, you must give poor Jenny Driver her last week!" The last week, which she must have, did all the mischief. CHAPTER XIII THE BOY WITH THE RED CAP