Was it a rescue, or a sacrifice to the embarrassing occasion? She had never heard him jest with the Orlys. Mrs. Orly chuckled gleefully, flashing out the smile that Miriam loved. It took every line from her care-fashioned face and lit it with a most extraordinary radiance. She had smiled like that as a girl in response to the jests of her many brothers ... her eyes were sweet; there was a perfect sweetness in her somewhere. "Bravo Hancock, that's a good one.... Ye gods and fishes large and small listen to _that_" he murmured half turning towards the door. The clattering of boots on the stone stairs was followed by the rattling of the loose door knob and the splitting open of the door. Mr. Leyton shot into the room searching the party with a swift glance and taking his place in the circle in a state of headlong silent volubility. By the way he attacked his lunch it was clear he had a patient waiting or imminent. It occurred to Miriam to wonder why he did not always arrange his appointments round about lunch-time ... but any such manoeuvre would be discovered and things would be worse than ever. Mr. Orly watched quietly while he refused Mrs. Orly's offer to ring for soup, devouring bread and butter until she should have carved for him,--and then extended his invitation to his son. "Oh, is this the annual?" asked Mr. Leyton gruffly. "What's the show?" "My dear will you be so good as to inform Mr. Leyton of----" "Don't be silly Ro" said Mrs. Orly trying to laugh "we're going to Hamlet Ley." "We have the honour of begging Mr. Leyton's company on the occasion of our visit, dinner included, to----" "What's the date?" rapped Mr. Leyton with his tumbler to his lips. "The date, ascertained as suited to all present with the exception of your lordship--oh my God, Ley" sighed Mr. Orly hiding his face in his serviette, his huge shoulders shaking. "What have I done now?" asked Mr. Leyton, gasping after his long drink. "Don't be so silly Ley. You haven't answd fathez queshun." "How can I answer till I'm told the _date_?" "Don't be silly, you can come any evening." "_Friday_" whispered Miriam. "_What?_" said Mr. Orly softly, emerging from his serviette, "a traitor in the camp?" "Friday is it? Well, then it's pretty certain I _can't_ come." "Don't be silly Ley--you haven't any engagements." "_Haven't I?_ There's a sing-song at Headquarters Friday." "Enough, my dear, enough, press him no more" said Mr. Orly rising. "Far be it from us to compete. Going to sing Ley or to song, eh? Never mind boy, sorry you can't come" he added, sighing gustily as he left the room. "You'll be able to come Ley won't you?" whispered Mrs. Orly impatiently lingering. "If you'd only let me know the date beforehand instead of springing it on me." "Don't be si'y Ley it vexes Father so. You needn't go to the si'y sing-song." "I don't see how I can get out of it. It's rather a big function; as an officer I ought to be there." "Oh never mind; you'd better come."