“She knows an extraordinary number of people—­all sorts and conditions of men; Mr. Errington often dines here.”

“Does he?  But then he is a sort of literary hack now.  Just think what a change both for you and him!”

“It is very extraordinary; but he keeps his position better than I do.”

“Of course.  Men are always better off.  Now, dear, I must go.  I am quite glad to have seen you, and sorry to think that my husband is absurdly prejudiced against you from the way you spoke to him last time.  It was by no means prudent.”

“Well, Ada, should Colonel Ormonde so far overcome his objection to me as to seek me again, I think it very likely I may say more imprudent things than I did last time.  Pray, what do I owe him that I should measure my words?”

“Really, Katherine, when you hold your head up in that way I feel half afraid of you.  There is no use trying to hold your own with the world when your pocket is empty.  You see nobody troubles about you now, whereas—­”

“Miss Bradley!” announced the servant; and Angela entered, in an exquisite walking dress of dark blue velvet; bonnet and feathers, gloves, parasol, all to match.  Mrs. Ormonde gazed in delighted admiration at this splendid apparition.

“My dear Miss Liddell!” she exclaimed, shaking hands cordially.  “I have rushed over to tell you that we have secured a box for Patti’s benefit on Thursday, and I want you to join us.  I know Mrs. Needham has a stall, but she will sup with us after.  Mr. Errington and one or two musical critics are coming to dine with me at half past six, and we can go together.”

“You are very good,” said Katherine, coloring.  She did not particularly care to go with Miss Bradley, and she was amused at Mrs. Ormonde’s expression of astonishment.  “Of course I shall be most happy.”

“Now I must not stay; I have heaps to do.  Will you be so kind as to give me the address of the modiste you mentioned the other day who made that pretty gray dress of yours?  Madame Maradan is so full she cannot do a couple of morning dresses for me, so I want to try your woman.”

“I shall be so glad if you will,” cried Katherine.  “I will bring you one of her cards.  Let me introduce my sister-in-law to you.  Mrs. Ormonde, Miss Bradley.”  She left the room, and Miss Bradley drew a chair beside her.  “I think I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lady Carton’s garden party last July?” she said, courteously.

“Oh, dear me, yes!  I thought I knew your face.  Lady Carton introduced you to me.  Lady Carton is a cousin of Colonel Ormonde’s.”

“Oh, indeed!  Miss Liddell was not there?”

“No; she chose to bury herself by the sea-side for the whole season.”

Here Katherine returned with the card.

“I am so glad you are going to give my friend Rachel Trant a trial.  I am sure you will like her.  She has excellent taste.”

“Now I must not wait any longer.  So good-by.  Shall you be at Madame Caravicelli’s this evening?”