Her manner was subdued. It was not the annoyed manner that one uses to a man when he has behaved ill; it was the explanatory tone one might adopt towards an incorrigible child. Loder felt this; but the gist of a remark always came to him first, its mode of expression later. The fact that it was Blessington whom he had encountered--Blessington to whom he had spoken with vague politeness--came to him with a sense of unpleasantness. He was not to blame in the matter, nevertheless he blamed himself. He was annoyed that, he should have made the slip in Eve's presence. They were moving forward, nearing the press of people in the second room, when Eve spoke, and the fact filled him with an added sense of annoyance. People smiled and bowed to her from every side; one woman leaned forward as they passed and whispered something in her ear. Again the sensation of futility and vexation filled him; again he realized how palpable was the place she held in the world. Then, as his feelings reached their height and speech seemed forced upon him, a small man with a round face, catching a glimpse of Eve, darted from a circle of people gathered in one of the windows and came quickly towards them. With an unjust touch of irritation he recognized Lord Bramfell. Again the sense of Eve's aloofness stung him as their host approached. In another moment she would be lost to him among this throng of strangers--claimed by them as by right. “Eve--” he said, involuntarily and under his breath. She half paused and turned towards him. “Yes?” she said; and he wondered if it was his imagination that made the word sound slightly eager. “About that matter of Blessington--” he began. Then he stopped, Bramfell had reached them. The little man came up smiling and with an outstretched hand. “There's no penalty for separating husband and wife, is there, Mrs. Chilcote? How are you, Chilcote?” He turned from one to the other with the quick, noiseless manner that always characterized him. Loder turned aside to hide his vexation, but Eve greeted their host with her usual self-possessed smile. “You are exempt from all penalties to-night,” she said. Then she turned to greet the members of his party who had strolled across from the window in his wake. As she moved aside Bramfell looked at Loder. “Well, Chilcote, have you dipped into the future yet?” he asked, with a laugh. Loder echoed the laugh but said nothing. In his uncertainty at the question he reverted to his old resource of silence. Bramfell raised his eyebrows. “What!” he said. “Don't tell me that my sister-in-law hasn't engaged you as a victim.” Then he turned in Eve's direction. “You've heard of our new departure, Mrs. Chilcote?” Eve looked round from the lively group by which she was surrounded. “Lillian's crystal-gazing? Why, of course!” she said. “She should make a very beautiful seer. We are all quite curious.”