out her hand again.

"Do you mean that I'm to go?" said I.

"I hope we shall see you again some day," said Mrs. Hilary; the
tone suggested that she was looking forward to some future
existence, when my earthly sins should have been sufficiently
purged. It reminded me for the moment of King Arthur and Queen
Guinevere.

"But I protest," I began, "that my only object in telling you was
to show you how absurd--"

"Is it any good talking about it now?" asked Mrs. Hilary. A
discussion might possibly be fruitful in the dim futurity before
mentioned--but not now--that was what she seemed to say.

"Lady Mickleham and I, on the occasion in question--" I began
with dignity.

"Pray, spare me," quote Mrs. Hilary, with much greater dignity.

I took my hat.

"Shall you be at home as usual on Thursday?" I asked.

"I have a great many people coming already," she remarked.

"I can take a hint," said I.