supplied a distraction and cloak to the prevailing embarrassment.
Bridge was out of the question in the general tension of nerves
and tempers, and after Odo Finsberry had given a lugubrious
rendering of "Melisande in the Wood" to a frigid audience, music
was tacitly avoided. At eleven the servants went to bed,
announcing that the small window in the pantry had been left open
as usual for Tobermory's private use. The guests read steadily
through the current batch of magazines, and fell back gradually,
on the "Badminton Library " and bound volumes of PUNCH. Lady
Blemley made periodic visits to the pantry, returning each time
with an expression of listless depression which forestalled
questioning.

At two o'clock Clovis broke the dominating silence.

"He won't turn up to-night. He's probably in the local newspaper
office at the present moment, dictating the first instalment of
his reminiscences. Lady What's-her-name's book won't be in it.
It will be the event of the day."

Having made this contribution to the general cheerfulness, Clovis
went to bed. At long intervals the various members of the house-
party followed his example.

The servants taking round the early tea made a uniform
announcement in reply to a uniform question. Tobermory had not
returned.

Breakfast was, if anything, a more unpleasant function than dinner
had been, but before its conclusion the situation was relieved.