Many other persons were only less complimentary, and one, Mrs Strangeways, was even more so; she exhausted herself in terms of glowing eulogy. At the end of the concert this lady drew Alma apart. 'Dear Mrs. Rolfe, I wonder whether I could ask you to do me a kindness? Are you in any hurry to get home?' It was six o'clock, on an evening of January. Delighted with her success, Alma felt very much like a young man whose exuberant spirits urge him to 'make a night of it'. She declared that she was in no hurry at all, and would be only too glad to do Mrs. Strangeways any kindness in her power. 'It will sound rather odd to you,' pursued the lady in a low voice, 'but I would rather trust you than anyone else. You know that Mr. Redgrave and I are very old friends--such old friends that we are really almost like brother and sister.' Alma nodded. 'You've heard us speak of his bungalow at Wimbledon. Just now he is in Paris, and he happens to want a portrait, a photograph, out of an album in the bungalow. Naturally he would have asked his sister to look for it and send it, but Mrs. Fenimore is also away from home; so he has written to me, and begged me to do him the kindness. I know exactly where the photo is to be looked for, and all I have to do is to drive over to Wimbledon, and a servant will be waiting to admit me. Now, you will think it childish, but I really don't like to go alone. Though Mr Redgrave and I are such great friends, of course I have only been to the bungalow when he had people there--and--of course it's very foolish at my age--but I'm sure you understand me----' 'You mean you would like me to go with you?' said Alma, with uncertain voice. 'Dare I ask it, dear Mrs. Rolfe? There will be _no_ one but the servant, who is told to expect a friend of her master's. I am _very_ foolish, but one cannot be too careful, you know, and with _you_ I shall feel everything so simple and natural and straightforward. I'm sure you understand me.' 'Certainly,' faltered Alma. 'Yes--I will go----' 'Oh, how sweet of you, dear! Need I say that I should never breathe a word to Mr. Redgrave? He will think I went alone--as of course I very well might----' 'But--if the servant should mention to him----?' 'My dear, keep your fall down. And then it is perfectly certain he will never ask a question. He thinks it such a trivial matter----'