“No, no, thank you,” rising and taking off her gloves; “but if you would open the windows?” “Won’t you take your hat off?” She hesitated for a moment and murmured: “My hair is so untidy.” But ultimately unpinned her hat, and threw it on a sofa; it would not take long to put on again. Then she sat down and began to busy herself with the cups and saucers, and her companion noticed how her hand was shaking. The buoyancy of his spirits was by this time somewhat crushed. Letty was taking it hardly; she was so sensitive. But after she had had tea, and was a little refreshed, they would discuss their plans; meanwhile he would talk any nonsense to amuse and distract her. “This is a fine room,” he said, looking about, “and an A1 hotel. Did Frances ever tell you about Cousin Toby and his bride? No? Well, he and Rosa funked the honeymoon abroad; it was winter, and they wanted to stay in town and do theatres and have a good time; but, of course, their relations, who were in London, barred it--said they must do the orthodox thing. However, the two laid their plans, were seen off at Victoria with due pomp, got out at Cannon Street, and sneaked back here in great glee, and would never have been found out but for Rosa’s umbrella; it was full of rice and dripped grains all over the stairs and place. The poor innocents never knew, till they saw themselves among the fashionable arrivals; but, I say, Letty, you’ve eaten nothing! Do have some of these strawberries?” “No, no, thank you.” “Feel better after your tea?” “Yes; I was so thirsty, and my head ached; but now I’m all right.” She put up her hands to her beautiful hair, and he noticed that she was still wearing her wedding ring. “Well, now shall I explain things a little, or will you talk first?” “Do you please begin.” (Anything for a respite.) “Then may I have a cigarette?” “Of course you may.” Lumley rose and took out his case, and began to walk restlessly about the room; he was one of those men who rarely sit down. “I’ve arranged matters all right; seen our man of business, Ross, and had a tremendous jaw with him.” (He did not mention what a strenuous interview it had been, and how the old family lawyer had exhausted his wit, his eloquence, and his temper, in endeavouring, as he hoped, to turn the young idiot from his folly; from rushing headlong into social and professional extinction. The idea of young Lumley, whom he had known as a remarkably bright, clever, steady boy, running off with a married woman,--the wife, too, of such a well-known character as Hugo Blagdon! What, he asked him, would his father and sister say? And how could he take a divorced wife into his regiment? But it had all been a useless waste of brain tissue, breath, and temper.) “It will be plain-sailing, Letty, now we have burned our boats; perhaps we had better dine downstairs, so as to be _seen_ together on account of the case.” “No, no, no,” half rising, and looking at him with a startled expression.