very amusing after Rome and the Riviera."

"That will be her misfortune," said Mrs. Hooper, stoutly. "Anyway, she
will have all the advantages we have. We take her with us, for instance,
to the Vice-Chancellor's to-night?"

"Do we?" Dr. Hooper groaned. "By the way, can't you let me off, Ellen?
I've got such a heap of work to do."

"Certainly not! People who shut themselves up never get on, Ewen. I've
just finished mending your gown, on purpose. How you tear it as you do,
I can't think! But I was speaking of Connie. We shall take her,
of course--"

"Have you asked her?"

"I told her we were all going--and to meet Lord Glaramara. She didn't
say anything."

Dr. Hooper laughed.

"You'll find her, I expect, a very independent young woman--"

But at that moment his daughter Nora, after a hurried and perfunctory
knock, opened the study door vehemently, and put in a flushed face.

"Father, I want to speak to you!"

"Come in, my dear child. But I can't spare more than five minutes."