At lunch, "Chetwode," said Felicity, "I shall be at Vera's till seven. They're going to have the wonderful new child harpist. He looks like a sort of cherub, with golden hair." "Little beast," said Chetwode, "he ought to be in bed." "Oh, darling, not at four in the afternoon! And what about to-night? I suppose we dine together at home? and then I'm going to Jasmyn Vere's, one of his musical parties." "Oh, yes." "Chetwode dear, you know the horses will be out all the afternoon. I thought I'd have the carriage just to _take_ me to the party and come home in a cab--it's only round the corner. Is there any off-chance of your coming to fetch me? Oh _do_! You really might!" "No," said Chetwode. He added, "No doubt Wilton will see you home." She looked up quickly. Was there a tone of irony in his voice? Could he be a shade jealous? How delightful! "Why, I can come home alone," she said. "It's not sure that Bertie and I will both want to leave at the same time." "But I should think it's on the cards," said Chetwode, rather coldly. "No use bothering you to come?" "None at all. Who does the hostess at Jasmyn's parties?" "Oh, Bertie's mother, Lady Nora Wilton, you know." "I see." "Did you think," said Felicity, laughing, "that it would be Agatha, Mrs. Wilkinson?" "Oh--you mean the woman who's so fond of horses. Why, is she a friend of Vere's?" "Some people say so, of course I don't know." "I always see her," said Chetwode, "at races, with Bobby Henderson." "Oh yes," said Felicity, "but that's only intellectual sympathy! I can't see the point of Bobby Henderson, can you? Vera likes him so much too." "There _is_ no point about him. He's just the usual sporting, stupid guardsman." Felicity lit her husband's cigarette and left him. * * * * * Her dress this afternoon had been very carefully thought out to contrast with Vera's. Vera was dressed in dull flame colour, becoming to her white skin and black hair. Felicity was in black and white. She wore a white hat, with a black velvet bow, and one enormous gardenia. It was impossible not to be pleased at Bertie's suppressed enthusiasm when she arrived. He was so fastidious about clothes, and she knew she was a real success to-day. "Oh, Felicity, isn't it too _horrible_? The chief person can't come!" Vera was fluttering a telegram and evidently trying not to cry. "The _great_ tenor, you know." She turned to Wilton. "Isn't it cruel at the last minute?" "Oh, don't worry, darling. Most likely no one will notice it--you see you kept it dark as a surprise, luckily," said Felicity. "And it _is_ a surprise--to me!" said Vera. "Oh, isn't the little harpy infant phenomenon coming?" asked Felicity. "Oh yes, _that's_ all right; he's here now, playing draughts with his mother in my room to prevent him getting nervous; and eating bread and jam. Thank goodness for that!"