The Major passed his cup for a second supply; a waitress brought a plate of hot cakes; the occupants of the corner table stood up, fastening furs and coats, and passed out of the door. With their going Major Carew regained his vivacity, chaffed the girls on their silence, recounted the latest funny stories, and to Claire's relief addressed himself primarily to his _fiancee_, thus putting her in the place of honour. Nevertheless Claire was conscious that from time to time keen glances were cast in her own direction. She had a feeling that no detail of her attire escaped scrutiny, that the black eyes noted one and all, wondered, and speculated, and appraised. She saw them dwell on the handsome fur stole and muff which Mrs Judge bequeathed to her daughter on sailing for India, on the old diamond ring and brooch which had been handed over to her on her twenty-first birthday; she had an instinctive feeling that she rose in the man's estimation because of her air of prosperity. He made tentative efforts to arrange a further meeting. "Where do _you_ go on Sundays, Miss Gifford? I say, we must arrange another tea like this. Lots of good tea places in town. We must sample them together. What do you say, Miss Gifford?" Claire's answers were politely evasive, and presently he began to grow restless, and finally pulled out his watch, and jumped to his feet. "How time flies! I had no idea it was so late. I must run. So sorry to leave you like this." Mary Rhodes stared in surprise. "Leave! Frank! But you said--I thought we were going--" "Yes, I know, I know. I'm sorry, I thought I was free--but--a regimental engagement! Can't get out of it. I'll fix up another night. I'll write." There was no doubt that he was genuinely disconcerted at the lateness of the hour, and his leave-taking was of the most hasty description, though he found time to give a lingering pressure to Claire's hand; then he was gone, and the waitress came across the room and presented the bill. Cecil flushed uncomfortably. "I must pay this. Frank has forgotten. He rushed off in such a hurry." She pulled out her shabby purse, and Claire made no protest. In a similar position she herself would have wished to pay, but it was inconceivable that she should ever be in such a position. However hurried a man might be-- She rubbed her hand on her knee with a little shudder of distaste. "Wretch! He would make love to me, too, if I would allow it! How can Cecil possibly care for such a man?" And then she forgot Cecil's feelings to ponder on a more perplexing problem. Why had the man called Vavasour looked so amused, and why had the sweet- faced woman looked so distressed? CHAPTER THIRTEEN. A DOUBLE INVITATION.