Miss Bride and he dined alone together that evening.  They had not met since mid-day.  Dyce was still disinclined for talk; Constance, on the other hand, fell into a cheerful vein of chat, and seemed not at all to notice her companion’s lack of amiability.

“I shall go by the 8.27,” said Dyce, abruptly, towards the end of the meal.

“Yes, that’s your best train.  You’ll be at Alverholme before ten o’clock.”

After dinner, they sat together for scarcely a quarter of an hour, Constance talking of politics.  Dyce absolutely silent.  Then Miss Bride rose, and offered her hand.

“So, good-bye!”

She spoke so pleasantly, and looked so kindly, that Lashmar for a moment felt ashamed of himself.  He pressed her hand, and endeavoured to speak cordially.

“Shall I hear from you?” Constance asked, trying to meet his eyes.

“Why, of course, very soon.”

“Thank you.  I shall be very glad.”

Thus they parted.  And Dyce, for a couple of hours, sat smoking and brooding.

On the morrow, at luncheon, Lady Ogram mentioned to Constance that May Tomalin would arrive on the following afternoon.  She added, presently, that Lord Dymchurch had accepted an invitation to Rivenoak for a day or two in the ensuing week.

That morning, the post had brought Constance a letter and a packet.  The letter was from Mrs. Toplady, who wrote thus: 

“Dear Miss Bride,

“This morning I came across an article in an American magazine which it struck me would interest you.  The subject is:  ’Recent Sociological Speculations.’  It reviews several books, among them one by a French author which seems to be very interesting.  When I showed the article to Miss Tomalin, she agreed with me that there seemed a striking resemblance between the theories of this French sociologist and those which Mr. Lashmar has independently formed.  Probably Mr. Lashmar would like to see the book.  In any case, you and he will, I am sure, be interested in reading this article together.

“To my great regret, Miss Tomalin—­or May, as I have come to call her—­leaves me the day after to-morrow.  But the advantage is yours at Rivenoak.  Please give my love to dear Lady Ogram, who I hope is now quite well again.  With kindest regards.

“Sincerely yours,

“GERALDINE TOPLADY.”

Constance had read the article in question, and, immediately after doing so, had dispatched an order to London for the French sociological work therein discussed.

CHAPTER XVII