"I quite understand. You would not call a book a public exhibition of oneself, I suppose." "Certainly not--if it is an autobiography," said Silverdale. "That's all right then. My book _is_ autobiographical." "I knew a celebrity once," said Silverdale, "a dreadfully shy person. All his life he lived retired from the world, and even after his death he concealed himself behind an autobiography." Lillie frowned at these ironical insinuations, though Miss Nimrod appeared impervious to them. "I have not concealed myself," she said simply. "All I thought and did is written in my book." "I liked that part about the fleas," murmured the millionaire. "What's that? Didn't catch that," said Nelly, looking round in the direction of the voice. "Good gracious, father, haven't you gone?" cried Lillie, no less startled. "It's too bad. You are spoiling one of my best epigrams. Couldn't you lean against something else?" Before the millionaire could be got rid of, Turple the magnificent reappeared. "A lady who gives the name of a gentleman," he said. The assemblage pricked up its ears. "What name?" asked Lillie. "Miss Jack, she said." "That's her surname," said Lillie, in a disappointed tone. Turple the magnificent stood reproved a moment, then he went out to fetch the lady. The gathering was already so large that Lillie thought there was nothing to be gained by keeping her waiting. Miss Jack proved to be an extremely eligible candidate so far as appearances went. She bowed stiffly on being introduced to Miss Nimrod. "May I ask if that is to be the uniform of the Old Maids' Club?" she inquired of the President. "Because if so I am afraid I have made a mistaken journey. It is as a protest against unconventional females that I designed to join you." [Illustration: "_Is that the uniform of the Old Maids' Club?_"] "Is it to me you are referring as an unconventional female?" asked Miss Nimrod, bridling up. "Certainly," replied Miss Jack, with exquisite politeness. "I lay stress upon your sex, merely because it is not obvious." "Well, I _am_ an unconventional female, and I glory in it," said Nelly Nimrod, seating herself astride the sofa. "I did not expect to hear the provincial suburban note struck within these walls. I claim the right of every woman to lead her own life in her own toilettes." "And a pretty life you have led!"