'To save a woman's soul,' was his reply. 'Would you mind if we didn't talk about it any more just now?' He went on with his dinner as though nothing had happened, and if a stranger had been sitting by, he would have said that Edgecumbe had no interest in the party close by. 'I think I must go and speak to them,' I said; 'it would seem discourteous to be so near, and not speak to people who have shown me so much kindness.' 'Go if you like,' was his answer, 'but don't let them see me. I am going back to the hotel.' I waited until he had left the room, and then turned towards Sir Thomas Bolivick's table. CHAPTER XXIX CROSS CURRENTS I received a hearty welcome as I came up, and Sir Thomas tried to persuade me to spend the evening with them, and to accompany them to the theatre. As far as I could judge, however, neither Springfield nor Lorna seconded his proposal. I thought she preferred Springfield's company to my own. They were now sitting over their coffee. Sir Thomas was smoking a huge cigar, while Springfield lit cigarette after cigarette and threw them away before they were half consumed. 'When did you come up?' I asked. 'Oh, we have been here four days. Captain Springfield--oh, I beg his pardon,--Colonel Springfield, has to go to the front the day after to-morrow, and I was anxious to see him before he went.' '"Colonel"?' I said. 'Have you been gazetted?' and I turned to Springfield as I spoke. 'Sir Thomas is a little premature,' he replied with a smile. 'My name was down for my majority before I returned home wounded, and I was gazetted two months ago. As to my being colonel,--but there, it is no use making a secret of it, I suppose I am to have my battalion immediately on my return.' 'Yes, I saw General ---- at the War Office yesterday,' and Sir Thomas smiled benignantly. 'Such services as Springfield has rendered can't go long unrewarded, and in these days seniority does not count so much. By the way, what has become of our eccentric friend Edgecumbe?' 'Don't you know. Have you heard nothing about him?' and I turned quickly to Springfield as I spoke. 'I saw him nearly three weeks ago,' he replied; 'it seems he was not fit for work, and came to London on leave. I saw him twice, I think, and took him to one or two clubs. Since then I have lost sight of him.' 'And heard nothing about him?' I asked, looking at him steadily. 'Nothing at all. Sir Thomas, it is nearly time for us to go, but there is time for another liqueur. We can meet the ladies in the vestibule.' I accompanied Lorna Bolivick a few steps down the room, while Lady Bolivick went a little ahead. 'Am I to congratulate you, Lorna?' I said. 'Forgive me, I am taking you at your word.' She gave me a quick look, which I could not understand, and then replied, 'I start nursing again next week.' 'You know what I mean,' I persisted, and I laughed as I spoke. 'Springfield looks a very happy man.'