‘Very well.  Old girl, then.’

’I’m a good deal younger than you are.  And I’m a good deal better than you, in every way.  I’m a lady, at all events, and you can’t pretend to be a gentleman.  You’re a rough, common fellow—­’

‘Holloa!  Holloa!  Draw it mild.’

He was startled, and in some degree abashed; his eyes, travelling to the door, indicated a fear that this singular business-colloquy might be overheard.  But Beatrice went on, without subduing her voice, and, having delivered herself of much plain language, walked from the room, leaving the door open behind her.

As a rule, she returned from her day’s occupations to dinner, in De Crespigny Park, at seven o’clock.  To-day her arrival at home was considerably later.  About three o’clock she made a call at the boarding-house where Mrs. Damerel lived, but was disappointed in her wish to see that lady, who would not be in before the hour of dining.  She called again at seven, and Mrs. Damerel received her very graciously.  It was the first time they had met.  Beatrice, in no mood for polite grimaces, at once disclosed the object of her visit; she wanted to talk about Fanny; did Mrs. Damerel know anything of a proposed journey to Brussels?  The lady professed utter ignorance of any such intention on Fanny’s part.  She had not seen Fanny for at least a fortnight.

‘How can that be?  She told me she dined here last Sunday.’

‘That’s very strange,’ answered Mrs. Damerel, with suave concern.  ‘She certainly did not dine here.’

‘And the Sunday before?’

’Your sister has dined here only once, Miss.  French, and that was three months ago.’

’Then I don’t understand it.  Haven’t you been taking her to theatres, and parties, and that kind of thing?’

’I have taken her once to a theatre, and twice to evening “at homes.”  The last time we were together anywhere was at Mrs. Dane’s, about the middle of May.  Since then I have seen her hardly at all.  I’m very much afraid you are under some misconception.  Thinking your sister was engaged to marry my nephew, Mr. Lord, I naturally desired to offer her a few friendly attentions.  But it came out, at length, that she did not regard the engagement as serious.  I was obliged to speak gravely to my young nephew, and beg him to consider his position.  There is the second dinner-bell, but I am quite at your service, Miss.  French, if you wish to question me further.’

Beatrice was much inclined to resent this tone, and to use her vernacular.  But it seemed only too probable that Fanny had been deceiving her, and, as she really feared for the girl’s safety, prudence bade her be civil with Mrs. Damerel.

‘Can’t you help me to find out what Fanny has really been doing?’

’I’m afraid it’s quite out of my power.  She never confided in me, and it is so long since I have seen anything of her at all.’

‘It’s best to speak plainly,’ said Beatrice, in her business tone.  ’Can’t you think of any man, in the society you introduced her to, who may be trying to lead her astray?’