Will Musgrave was inclined to smile at his wife’s difficulties.  Perhaps he was not wholly sorry that the follies of her youth should thus come home to her.  He did not like Hunt-Goring much, but the man never gave offence.

“I suppose he’ll go when he’s tired of us,” said Will philosophically.

“And meantime neither Olga nor Noel will come near the place with him in it,” sighed Daisy.  “I don’t believe he will ever go.”

He laughed at that and pinched her cheek.  “We shall though, little wife.  That honeymoon of ours comes nearer every day.”

She smiled an eager, girlish smile.  “Dear old Will!” she murmured softly.

It was on that same evening that Noel broke his rule and raced in to give Daisy some important information with regard to his schemes for what he termed “the Bassett week.”

He was full of excitement and declared himself unable to remain for a single moment more than his business demanded.

“I’m going to dine with Nick,” he told her.  “In fact, I’m due there now.”

“I never see anything of Nick nowadays,” said Daisy.

“No; nor do I. He’s at the Palace, morning, noon, and night.  Can’t see the attraction myself.  But no doubt he thinks he’s doing something great.  By the way, you’re coming round to old Badgers’ to-morrow, I suppose?  We are going to hold a meeting of the committee.  Olga will be there of course.”

“How is Olga?” asked Daisy.

“Oh, all right.  Why don’t you go round and see her?” Noel asked the question with some curiosity.  He had begun to wonder lately if there could have been a disagreement between them.

Daisy smiled with a touch of wistfulness.  She had scarcely seen Olga since the breaking of her engagement.  “I seem to have so little time nowadays.  The last time I went, she was busy too.”

“Oh, she’s sure to be busy till Bassett week,” laughed Noel.  “I’m seeing to that.  It’s good for her, you know.”

“Yes, I know,” said Daisy.  She added in a lower tone, for Hunt-Goring was smoking on the verandah outside the window, “I am glad you are taking care of her, Noel.  She needs that.”

Noel coloured a little.  “I do what I can.  So does Nick.  But I wish you would go and see her.  She wants a pal of her own sex.”

“I am not so sure of that,” said Daisy.  “Ah, here’s Peggy!  I thought you wouldn’t escape without seeing her.”

Peggy’s entrance was of the nature of a whirlwind.  It completely diverted the thoughts of both.  She was scantily clad in a bath-towel which she held tightly gripped with both hands about her small person.  Her feet left little wet dabs on the floor as she pattered in.

“Oh, Noel!” she cried.  “You horrid, horrid Noel!  I’ve been callin’ you for ever so long.  And I was in my bath.  I thought you’d like to see me in my bath.”

“Peggy!” exclaimed her mother, scandalized.

Peggy’s ayah, also scandalized, hovered in the doorway.