For this supposition, however, there was only Lawrence's word, and for
her own part Carrissima would have been sorry if the world were quite
the rabbit warren which, in spite of his own remarkable domestic
felicity, her brother appeared to think it.




CHAPTER X

CONFIDENCES

Mark Driver, having dined at Duffield's Hotel, set out, with a cigar
between his lips, to Golfney Place. In the Strand he hailed a
taxi-cab, and his arrival obviously took Bridget completely by
surprise. She had always an alluring, seductive way with her, and now,
unaware of his return from Paris, she rose almost impulsively from her
chair, and came to meet him with such an air of abandon that he thought
for the moment she intended to fling herself incontinently into his
arms.

Bridget looked peculiarly fresh and fragrant this evening in the light
morning frock, which she had not troubled to change for her solitary
dinner. It was almost impossible that any man of Mark's age should not
feel flattered and pleased by her satisfaction at the sight of him.

"Oh, how glad I am!" she exclaimed, holding both his hands so tightly
that it would have been difficult to withdraw them if he wished. Her
frock was touching his coat as she stood gazing into his face. "Such a
dreadfully long time, Mark!" she continued. "I hope you are going to