couldn't go."

Meadows sat up with a jerk, all languor dispelled, and held out his hand
for the letter.

"Lady Dunstable! By George! I thought she'd ask us,--though you don't
deserve it, Doris, for you didn't take any trouble at all about her
first invitation--"

"We were _engaged_!" cried Doris, interrupting him, her eyebrows
mounting.

"We could have got out of it perfectly. But now, listen to this:

"Dear Mr. Meadows,--I hope your wife will excuse my writing to you
instead of to her, as you and I are already acquainted. Can I induce
you both to come to Crosby Ledgers for a week-end, on July 16? We
hope to have a pleasant party, a diplomat or two, the Home
Secretary, and General Hichen--perhaps some others. You would, I am
sure, admire our hill country, and I should like to show you some of
the precious autographs we have inherited.

"Yours sincerely,
"RACHEL DUNSTABLE.

"If your wife brings a maid, perhaps she will kindly let me know."

Doris laughed, and the amused scorn of her laugh annoyed her husband.
However, at that moment their small house-parlourmaid entered with the
tea-tray, and Doris rose to make a place for it. The parlourmaid put it