done if Edward had happened to see the Bishop in the same sort of
tableau earlier in the afternoon.

But I got a lucid interval just then, and distracted their
attention. I stood for a moment, my head bent as though I was
thinking deeply.

"I think I'll go now," I said at length. "I--I don't
understand exactly how I got here," I went on, looking from the
Bishop to the Dowager and back again, "or how I happened to miss
my father. I'm ever--so much obliged to you, and if you will give
me my hat, I'll take the next train back to college."

"You'll do nothing of the sort," said the Dowager, promptly.
"My dear, you're a sweet girl that's been studying too hard. You
must go to my room and rest--"

"And stay for dinner. Don't you care. Sometimes I don't know
how I get here myself." Edward winked jovially.

Well, I did. While the Dowager's back was turned, I gave him the
littlest one, in return for his. It made him drunker than ever.

"I think," said the Bishop, grimly, with a significant glance
at the Dowager, as he turned just then and saw the old cock
ogling me, "the young lady is wiser than we. I'll take her to
the station--"

The station! Ugh! Not Nance Olden, with the red coat still on.