Enter Bridget

ose from the breakfast-table a day or two aft

her," she

it is high time we asked Mi

ng paper in his hands, and as he spoke he raise

answered, and crushing the paper into a shapeless mas

ly during the last fortnight Colonel Faversham had felt almost a boy again. The spring was in his blood! Moreover, he flattered himself that he had not

oo much. Anyhow, it is very desirable that Miss Rosser should be treated with common courtesy. Besides, I wish it. That, I imagine, ought to be enough! We

rrissima. "Lawren

e hadn't met him. I wondered why on ear

explained, "saw Bridget

you the oth

his! I mustn't go to the play without begging my children's permission. I haven't a scr

recollect your telling me you were going to pla

hange his mind, I s

k seats," sugge

won't allow it in my house," he added, clenching his fist and bringing it

sima, "there's not the least u

Colonel Faversham, rubbi

w what you w

No wonder. I make a simple suggestion, and surely

Carrissima, with a sigh, "I think we ought

"Very well! You will write to Phoebe to-day. Get her and Lawrence

ikely to come," su

y n

to allow Phoebe to g

said the colonel. "Lawrence has more

ote to Phoebe the same morning, and Lawrence, reading the letter on his return from the Te

ew of the situation. Colonel Faversham had money to bequeath! As Lawrence told Pho

to dine at his house. He seemed to live only for Bridget during these days. His golf was neglected, and

esent go beyond flowers, and it was only after much persuasion that she consented to let him take her to the Haymarket Theatre. Whilst he revelled in her society and

prospect of a step-mother only a few months older than herself. The colonel found himself between two fires: longing on the one hand fo

made no secret of the frequency and gratification of his former visits to Golfney Place, with the result that Colonel Faversham wondered occasionally whether she looked up

, no doubt, but then he was an exceptional man, as perhaps every man appears to himself. But Colonel Faversham was not already without warnings which he would not admit for the world. In his desire to convince himself that

hospitality, when the evening arrived found it on the whole rather amusing. Her brother entered the drawing-room at Grandison Square with his head higher in the air than ever, while P

to be critical because Mark admired her. In Carrissima's opinion Bridget was not exerting herself to make a favourable impression either on Lawrence or his father. No such effort was necessary! Nature had anticipated any endeav

reputation, Carrissima smiled to see him unbend, although she might feel inclined to frown when she noticed that

d of children" in a tone which compelled credence. She wished to know the colour of Victor's eyes and hair; sh

party of his own next

dget, as the door opened and La

manded Colonel Faversham, cros

lained, "that Victor is going to have a

ns!" said t

uggested Phoebe, and she would have liked to invite the sympathe

e prompt reply. "Still, you needn't be afraid.

Victor's birthda

day," sa

d will

ther, and Bridget leaned back in

ed, "and I shall actu

nes

g to do to celebrate t

l Fave

ner in the same delightful company. How different it used to be when we lived at Crowboro

vring for Colonel Faversham, it seemed to follow that there must be less fear for Mark! Perhaps, in some occult, subconscious way, this unbidden idea may have quickened Carrissima's regard, and in any case she deprecated the lonely birthday, forming a

e jeweller's, in Old Bond Street, where her family had dealt for many years. Lawrence went there for presents for his wife; Colonel Fa

the tempting window, and entering presently, began to inspect various trays of rings and brooches, although she had no intention to purchase anything of the kind. During

ther it would be possible to have

be managed," retur

o Golfney Place with

taking one f

madam," said the salesman, mak

red already to know the name of the recipient and the number of her house. He had ce

itials

." in his book while yet t

know?" she de

id the salesman, whilst Mr. Do

ls before I told you what

naldson hastily. "I think

een at the jeweller's before her this morning; that he had selected something to comme

, "I think you shall

uare to-morr

d give Bridget a present after all. It began to look as if there were some justification fo