them together," Carrissima added, "he has made himself--well, I, if it
were not for my filial respect, I should say ridiculous."

"Of course," answered Mark, "it's easy enough to believe that the
colonel admires her. Any man must! All I can say is that if Lawrence
has any justification I am immensely sorry."

For what? Carrissima wondered. Was he sorry for her sake, or for his
own? Because Colonel Faversham was by way of winning Bridget, or
because he himself had consequently lost her?

"So am I," murmured Carrissima.

"I can't help seeing," Mark continued, "that I am responsible in a way.
If I hadn't mentioned her name at Phoebe's that evening I was late for
dinner you would never have gone to Golfney Place, and Bridget would
never have crossed Colonel Faversham's path."

"How devoutly I wish she hadn't," said Carrissima. "But what can
anybody do? It is a day after the fair. She has the game in her hands
if she cares to play it. The astonishing thing is that she has waited
so long."

"I wonder," exclaimed Mark, "whether I should find her at home."

"If so she is scarcely likely to be alone. The only way to make
certain of catching her without father is to go soon after breakfast or
after dinner."

"I will go this evening," said Mark.