Herries was not greatly disturbed at the meeting in St. James’s Square, after the first flash of annoyance. It was one of those incidents, little thought of at the time, which may, at a later date, loom large; a link in that chain of circumstantial evidence which sends many a culprit to his doom. He merely hoped, irritably enough, that his cousin was not playing tricks, making a fool of herself about the poet (he knew the poet’s lodging perfectly), and he made a definite resolve to interfere, if this should be the case. Not only, he reflected, must Nancy walk warily on her own account, but she had, under her charge, a young and inexperienced girl, who must on no account be exposed to dangerous poetic wiles. Miss Graham, it struck him, bad looked pale; doubtless, she had confined herself too closely nursing Danny. He must design some little dissipation for her. As a matter of fact, he had two in view. ’Are you still of a mind to give the ladies their tea-drinking, sir?’ he inquired, genially, of his partner, walking into that gentleman’s room one evening. ’To be sure, to be sure,’ said Mr. Creighton, concealing his amazement with creditable dexterity. ’Only, my poor rooms....’ ’Oh, my dear sir,’ said Herries, affably, ’consider this house at your disposal, and Lizzie at your service. She will do everything. And, now I come to think of it, my room above stairs is the more cheerful, more suited to ladies than this. What do you think?’ ’I entirely agree,’ answered Mr. Creighton, with the solemnity of a judge. ’My portion of the entertainment will doubtless consist in amusing the ladies when they arrive,’ he added, with a kind of stiff jocularity. But Herries declined to see the joke. ’Shall I convey your invitation to my cousin and Miss Graham, and perhaps I may beg you to extend it to the boy, Willy?’ he inquired, in a business-like tone. ’Assuredly,’ answered his partner. ’And if you can manage gracefully to convey to Miss Graham the idea that this little civility on my part is a compliment to our ancient connection with her family, I shall feel that the genteel thing has been done.’ It must be admitted that Mr. Creighton, in spite of his age and profession, could enter, with wonderful spirit, into a little game. When his partner had gone, he rubbed his hands together with a delighted air. ’It is working!’ he said to himself. ’Who would have thought it, so soon? But he needs tender handling, the lad. I must take care.’ Herries had no difficulty in arranging a day with the ladies of the Potterrow, when they should enjoy the hospitalities of Mr. Creighton. It was to be on a Thursday, and the matter was fixed. However, when the morning came, Nancy, with great finality, announced her intention of keeping the house all day. ’But, but,’ cried Alison, in dismay, ’we _promised_, Nancy!’