When the servant announced Mrs. Wyburn and Miss de Freyne one might have fancied Harry looked slightly disappointed, but he greeted the pretty creatures with suitable effusion and high spirits. They both sat down rather carefully in the corner seats by the fire. "Romer can't come, he's dining with his mother," announced Valentia. "He ought to, you know, now and then." "I don't like her," said Daphne, "she abuses every one." "I know she does, but she's really not so bad, dear, all the same; there are many worse. She's rather spiteful, but warmhearted--awfully kind if you break your leg," said Valentia. "But you don't break your leg," said Harry. "Oh, sometimes you do. At any rate you might. Don't encourage Daphne to argue, Harry. Who did you say you'd ask instead if we couldn't get Romer?" "Rathbone's just written to accept in his place," said Harry, taking out a letter. "But--don't you think we could persuade Romer if we tried hard? However, you know best." He took out a list. "Hereford Vaughan, Van Buren, Rathbone and me--that's four; you two, Lady Walmer, and Miss Luscombe, the actress. I think that'll do." "Lady Walmer?" repeated Valentia. "Why?" "And a real actress!" murmured Daphne. "Not a real actress. She's walked on at all the principal theatres in London, and somebody's always going to take a theatre for her, but there's no danger. I told Van Buren that on the stage they think she's in society, and in society they believe she's on the stage. And he thinks it's real cute, and an extraordinary English type." "How are you getting on with him?" "Beautifully,--if he weren't so beastly intelligent and inquisitive. He always wants to know all the news and all the latest gossip. What do you think he asked me last night? Why Big Ben was called Big Ben! How on earth should I know!" "Big who?" "Not big anybody;--the place, the thing;--the clock. He said no doubt I must think him dreadfully ignorant for not knowing, but he felt he must ask." Smiling at the recollection, Harry lighted another cigarette. "What did you say?" Daphne asked. "If it had been the afternoon I think I'd have taken the risk and told him I didn't know, but as it was the evening--he always gets rather excited in the evening after dinner and so much Perrier water,--walking back to the Ritz in the moonlight, and talking about London, I invented a long story.--No, he won't repeat it, don't be frightened; it was really rather awful; and when Van Buren gives you his word of honour not to tell a thing ..." "You're all right! That must be a great help," said Valentia sympathetically. "It shows he has a nice loyal nature," Daphne remarked. "I admire that sort of thing very much." "A nice loyal nature! I should think he has! He hates spreading scandal, and he wouldn't say a single word now to take away the character of Big Ben--if it was----" "What?"