dazed and still, beneath the dim yellow of his own fanlight; and
once again that inward spring flew back. 'Brazen it out; brazen
it out! Knock and ring!'

He knocked flamboyantly, and rang.

There came a quiet step and the door opened. 'Dr Simon, of
course, has called?' he inquired suavely.

'Yes, sir.'

'Ah, and gone'--as I feared. And Mrs Lawford?'

'I think Mrs Lawford is in, sir.'

Lawford put out a detaining hand. 'We will not disturb her; we
will not disturb her. I can find my way up; oh yes, thank you!'

But Ada still palely barred the way. 'I think, sir,' she said,
'Mrs Lawford would prefer to see you herself; she told me most
particularly "all callers." And Mr Lawford was not to be
disturbed on any account.'

'Disturbed? God forbid!' said Lawford, but his dark eyes failed
to move these lightest hazel. 'Well,' he continued nonchalantly,
'perhaps--perhaps it--,WOULD be as well if Mrs Lawford should
know that I am here. No, thank you, I won't come in. Please go
and tell--' But even as the maid turned to obey, Sheila herself
appeared at the dining-room door in hat and veil.