"What time is your lunch to-morrow?" asked Lady Drakmanton reflectively.

"Two o'clock," said Milly.

"Good," said her sister; "the Smithly-Dubbs shall lunch with me
to-morrow. It shall be rather an amusing lunch-party. At least, I shall
be amused."

The last two remarks she made to herself. Other people did not always
appreciate her ideas of humour. Sir James never did.

The next day Lady Drakmanton made some marked variations in her usual
toilet effects. She dressed her hair in an unaccustomed manner, and put
on a hat that added to the transformation of her appearance. When she
had made one or two minor alterations she was sufficiently unlike her
usual smart self to produce some hesitation in the greeting which the
Misses Smithly-Dubb bestowed on her in the club-lobby. She responded,
however, with a readiness which set their doubts at rest.

"What is the Carlton like for lunching in?" she asked breezily.

The restaurant received an enthusiastic recommendation from the three
sisters.

"Let's go and lunch there, shall we?" she suggested, and in a few
minutes' time the Smithly-Dubb mind was contemplating at close quarters a
happy vista of baked meats and approved vintage.

"Are you going to start with caviare? I am," confided Lady Drakmanton,
and the Smithly-Dubbs started with caviare. The subsequent dishes were