“But it’s pretty all right, isn’t it?” said Queen.

“Oh, yes!  Oh, yes!” he soothed her with an expert’s casualness.  “Naturally, you want to work it up.  You fell beautifully.  Now you go and see Crevelli—­he’s the man.”

“I shall get him to come here.  What’s his address?”

“I don’t know.  He’s just moved.  But you’ll see it in the April number of The Dancing Times.”

As the footman was about to escort Mr. Dialin and his urgent lady downstairs Queen ordered: 

“Bring me up a whisky-and-soda.”

“It’s splendid, Queen,” said Concepcion enthusiastically when the two were alone with G.J.

“I’m so glad you think so, darling.  How are you, darling?” She kissed the older woman affectionately, fondly, on the lips, and then gave G.J. a challenging glance.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, and called out very loud:  “Robin!  I want you at once.”

The secretarial Miss Robinson, carrying a note-book, appeared like magic from the inner room.

“Get me the April number of The Dancing News.”

“Times,” G.J. corrected.

“Well, Times.  It’s all the same.  And write to Mr. Opson and say that we really must have proper dressing-room accommodation.  It’s most important.”

“Yes, your ladyship.  Your ladyship has the sub-committee as to entrance arrangements for the public at half-past six.”

“I shan’t go.  Telephone to them.  I’ve got quite enough to do without that.  I’m utterly exhausted.  Don’t forget about The Dancing Times and to write to Mr. Opson.”

“Yes, your ladyship.”

“G.J.,” said Queen after Robin had gone, “you are a pig if you don’t go on that sub-committee as to entrance arrangements.  You know what the Albert Hall is.  They’ll make a horrible mess of it, and it’s just the sort of thing you can do better than anybody.”

“Yes.  But a pig I am,” answered G.J. firmly.  Then he added:  “I’ll tell you how you might have avoided all these complications.”

“How?”

“By having no pageant and simply going round collecting subscriptions.  Nobody would have refused you.  And there’d have been no expenses to come off the total.”

Lady Queenie put her lips together.

“Has he been behaving in this style to you, Con?”

“A little—­now and then,” said Concepcion.

Later, when the chaise-longue and Queen’s shoes had been replaced, and the tea-things and the head of John the Baptist taken away, and all the lights extinguished save one over the mantelpiece, and Lady Queenie had nearly finished the whisky-and-soda, and nothing remained of the rehearsal except the safety-pin between Lady Queenie’s knees, G.J. was still waiting for her to bethink herself of the Hospitals subject upon which he had called by special request and appointment to see her.  He took oath not to mention it first.  Shortly afterwards, stiff in his resolution, he departed.