“Do you remember her name?” he asked. “I think she calls herself Belle Yorke. Why, have you seen her?” The marchioness’s expression was one of innocent surprise at the strong interest plainly depicted on her listener’s countenance. Before he could reply to her, the conversation was again interrupted. The machine had brought a Dowager Lady Rollox and an Honorable Edith Rollox to see his mistress. The marchioness seized the occasion with the instinct of a match-maker. “Come and help me to talk to these stupid people,” she breathed hurriedly in Despencer’s ear, as she rose and went to meet the newcomers. Despencer meekly obeyed. The little piece of by-play between her mother and Despencer had not been lost on the Lady Victoria Mauleverer. As soon as she and Hammond were left together she inquired, with an air of doubt: “Do you know anything about this Belle Yorke?” Hammond roused himself with a start from his reflections. “I? Belle Yorke? Yes, yes. I know something about her.” “I hope there’s nothing wrong about her coming here?” pursued Victoria, with superb coolness. “She won’t do anything dreadful, will she?” Hammond braced himself up. “I have the honor of being a friend of Miss Yorke’s, and I respect her as much as any other lady of my acquaintance,” he said firmly. “I beg your pardon,” Victoria said, lightly. “I only asked because my mother is so very indiscreet. She makes me quite giddy sometimes. One meets such very queer people in this house--the Ladies’ Journal, for instance.” “Meaning?” “Oh, don’t you know? It’s what we call Mr. Despencer behind his back. He is so well informed, you know, on certain subjects.” “I wonder what you call me behind my back.” “Oh, we think very highly of you, I can tell you. I believe my mother is quite anxious that I should marry you.” “Let me see, I rather fancy I am engaged just now, but I shall be charmed to break it off.” “I hope Alderman Dobbin will approve of me.” Hammond affected to shake his head in doubt. “You will have to satisfy him as to your moral character.” “That will be rather difficult,” Victoria admitted. “Perhaps you had better not let him know that I cycle.” She glanced down at her costume as she spoke. “But I must really go and put on decent things before anybody else comes, or the alderman may hear of it. We shall see you at the concert, I suppose?” “Yes, and the alderman,” said Hammond. He was slipping away a few minutes later, when he found himself intercepted in the doorway by Despencer. Despencer addressed him in a confidential tone. “I say, you heard what the marchioness said just now. Do you think any one ought to give a hint to Lord Severn?” “Why, what about?” asked Hammond, surprised. “About Belle Yorke. She oughtn’t to come here, you know.” “Why not?” demanded Hammond, frowning angrily.