The Education of Eric Lane

a place among her wreckage of crumpled napkin, sloppy finger-bowl, nut-shells and cigarette-ash. For ten minute

er and no other. Eric was always meeting John Gaymers and never penetrating below the sleek, well-bred and uninterested exterior; they were politely repellent, as though an intrusion from outside would disturb their serenity and the advantageous bargain which they had struck with life; it might cause them to think, and thought was a synonym of death. The Flyi

is desire for silence and rest, he glanced under lowered lids at his host's blue-tinged, loosely-hanging cheeks. Conscientiously silent when his wife wished to discuss literature with her new discov

rt wine?" he demanded of Er

't it?" Eric asked, as he helped

eyes shone with interest fo

icate, very good," he cooed, "but-well, you'll understand me if I call them all women's wines. Now, if you like port, I've a few bottles of '72 Gould Campbell.... Johnny, your grandfather would have had a fit, if he'd seen you trying to drink port wine with a cigarette in your mouth. Not th

cares upon his shoulders, enabled him-as he explained with sly gusto-to secure that there should be no inharmonious inruption of coffee and liqueurs until the sacred wine had been in reverent circulation for t

y. "Like a ve-ery dry sherry. If I may advise you, I would say, 'Drink it as a liqueur'; don't waste your time o

l in love, if not with her, at least with somebody. His sister's telephone message had started the train of thought; he was looking forward to the week-end and the opportunity of meeting Agnes Waring. The time would come-if there were many hosts like Lord Poynter and if they all talked "Hibernia" port and Tuileries brandy, it would come very soon-when he would grow tired of being pushed from one ho

cellar Odyssey and was calling aloud for a cigar

ling his mind from a distance and lapsing into silence. And Eric felt compun

ext day or she would not dream of breaking up such a delightful party; she was promptly arrested and brought back by Mrs. O'Rane with the offer of Lady Maitland's brougham, which was to call for her at eleven. After an exhibition of half-hearted self-effacement by all, a new four was made up, and Eric found himself contentedly

opportunities?" she asked,

a lot of money to Gaymer-not that I don't play quite a fair game, but I'm sure, without even seeing him, that he plays a diabolically good game and I know I shall cut against him. Mrs. Shelley? Every one's always a success with her; talking to her is as dem

at him with a

fferably conceited young man

ugh dinner.... Now, when you got up here, you pumped Mrs. Shelley with bot

el

iled to

e who knows me, but she

an't

ge-table met and struggled in an unm

ead out the substantial remains of his hand with a challenge of "Any o

Eric rose, too, a

finish before I go

e? Sonia O'Rane's got a brough

and shrugged

y, if you

ery gracious,

rs. O'Rane. Or Gaymer would be delighted to

elf up to her

king a small thing which was just big enoug

r from Eric. He had hesitated a moment before taking the risk, bu

hing people rehearsing this

ou to see me home?" she dem

you know I want to work and you think it will be su

d at him over

he pleaded, motioning

a cigarette from the

cadilly towards Berkeley Square, Eric rather

ond meeting as quickly and completel

first time I've set eyes on you-except

recognized your voice and, if you will come into th

d on her i

Well ... Good .

laughe

till to apologize for being such a beast when

d-trying to count your pulse by a watch without a second-hand.... B

n," she interrupted. "The whole

ther the war had robbed he

you've changed

y from Hell. And, as you kno

w and threw away the

f to himself. "When I handed you over to your maid.... Lady

k I should

gine-- Here! He

ned towards the open window, Barbara caught him suddenly by

torily; and, when he had told her, "Put

ost in Berkele

u! I'm coming to

hands and lay ba

for you to be call

ad opened the window on her own

ard her say. Then she sank back with a pursed-up smile of tr

ing the door till I've tak

ll the carriage drew

ou made a scene on the pavem

the driver to go back to Bel

of men returning to bed from Pall Mall and sparing the fag-end of their attention for the unexpected tall girl who stood wrapped i

re being obstinate?" Barbara enqu

therwise I shall leave you here, go round to the club,

ntal in your hospit

re for a girl of twenty-two

arm against the long fringe of the shawl, Eric forgot his guard. She twitched the cigarette from his lips and la

onventional,

e suddenly

know you'd do anything for a new sensation, but I'm not

e interrupted. "Have

find plenty in B

give me any, afraid

t. Lady Barbara, you've several brothers, I've one sister. If one

haven't i

whip him," Eric

curiously with he

d him. "I could trust you anywhere. You're not

it's irrelevant. Com

of drying up. A clock inside the hall began to chime midnight, and he turned on his heel. As he did so, a taxi turned into the street, and an officer c

ave lost the key," she expos

es were gleaming with

ed quickly from

ally. "Rotten luck! Here, let me put you out of

eem to have been standing here all day. Come on,

jerk of her head. The officer bade them good-ni

rbara," said Eric with slow di

find your flat," she retorted promptly. "I've

Lady B

t. Who lives here, do you supp

of the stairs. Barbara slipped her a

ned. "I wish you wouldn

blood tingling. They walked slowly, for he was trying to set his racing thoughts in order. This, then, was the true Lady Barbara Neave. He

, with expressions which made her wholly beautiful at times.... "Virginal" was the

I'll open the door," he

nner hall and looked round

nse of power came to him, rushing to his head. The tired eyes and wistful mouth, the haggard cheeks, the cloud of fine hai

verything, Eric,

nfiding, and she slipped her hand into his. A

completely into my power," he observ

better than you kn

t quite

elf, then put her arms rou

I've educated you.... Am I right in thinking