Mrs. Hilary could not very well eject me on my arrival in evening
dress at ten minutes to eight--"to hear you talk one would think
that there was no such thing as real love."

She paused. I smiled.

"Now," she continued, turning a fine, but scornful eye upon me,
"I have never cared for any man in the world except my husband."

I smiled again. Poor Hilary looked very uncomfortable. With an
apologetic air he began to stammer something about Parish
Councils. I was not to be diverted by any such maneuver. It was
impossible that he could really wish to talk on that subject.

"Would a person who had never eaten anything but beef make a
boast of it?" I asked.

Hilary grinned covertly. Mrs. Hilary pulled the lamp nearer, and
took up her embroidery.

"Do you always work the same pattern?" said I.

Hilary kicked me gently. Mrs. Hilary made no direct reply, but
presently she began to talk.

"I was just about Phyllis's age--(by the way, little Miss Phyllis
was there)--when I first saw Hilary. You remember, Hilary? At
Bournemouth?"

"Oh--er--was it Bournemouth?" said Hilary, with much