"It's very kind of you to ask me," she answered. She felt much more at her ease with him now. She knew that she was looking particularly pretty. "And it isn't the first time we have had dinner together, is it?" she asked. He answered eagerly that he was glad she remembered; he had almost thought she must have forgotten. "No, I shall never forget that, though it seems so long ago since that night. I was unhappy then, but now...." "But now?" he asked as she paused. "Now everything has come right," she told him. "You said you were sure it would, if you remember." His face changed a little. "I am glad I was such a good prophet," he said. June came bustling in; she was flushed and breathless, and laden with flowers, fan, and gloves, all of which she dropped to the sofa. "I'm quite ready. Esther, where's my cloak? Do find it, there's an angel. Oh, and my slippers--I've got everything else...." But it was at least another ten minutes before they were in the taxi and racing away through the night. "I've booked a table at Marnio's," Micky said. "I hope you like Marnio's, June?" "I like anything to-night," she told him. "I'm going to enjoy myself thoroughly, whatever happens." Micky glanced at Esther. "And you, Miss Shepstone?" he asked rather nervously. "Esther's too excited to speak," June answered for her. "Oh, are we here already?" She led the way into the lounge of the big restaurant; Micky was well known here apparently. "Every one in London knows Micky," June whispered to Esther with a sort of pride. "Look at the attention he gets!" Esther glanced at him; probably anybody with Micky's money could get the same attention, she thought. There were a good many people in the lounge; Esther looked at them interestedly. Some of the women were beautifully dressed, but the black and white frock held its own bravely. "You look nicer than any of them," June told her. "I knew--hullo!--Micky's found a friend." She looked across to where he was standing, and Esther followed her gaze. Micky was talking to two ladies--one of them was young and rather pretty, and the other--Esther's face flushed suddenly, and she bit her lip hard, for the other was Mrs. Ashton, Raymond's mother. CHAPTER XIX Esther unconsciously put out her hand and grasped June's arm; she would have given anything had it been possible to run away. She saw Mrs. Ashton turn and look towards where they were standing, and in another moment she had crossed the lounge and was shaking hands with June. "I was just inviting Mr. Mellowes to come and dine with us," she said. "But he tells me he already has an engagement." Her eyes smiled at June. "I suppose you are the engagement?" she submitted. June laughed.