street, entered the marble vestibule of the flats, eluded
the concierges, and ran up the stairs till she reached the
second-floor.

She sent in her name, and to her surprise was shown
straight into Mrs. Wilcox's bedroom.

"Oh, Mrs. Wilcox, I have made the baddest blunder. I am
more, more ashamed and sorry than I can say."

Mrs. Wilcox bowed gravely. She was offended, and did
not pretend to the contrary. She was sitting up in bed,
writing letters on an invalid table that spanned her knees.
A breakfast tray was on another table beside her. The light
of the fire, the light from the window, and the light of a
candle-lamp, which threw a quivering halo round her hands,
combined to create a strange atmosphere of dissolution.

"I knew he was going to India in November, but I forgot."

"He sailed on the 17th for Nigeria, in Africa."

"I knew--I know. I have been too absurd all through. I
am very much ashamed."

Mrs. Wilcox did not answer.

"I am more sorry than I can say, and I hope that you
will forgive me."