But Tavernake was not in the room.




CHAPTER II

A TETE-A-TETE SUPPER

Tavernake caught her up in New Oxford Street and fell at once
into step with her. He wasted no time whatever upon
preliminaries.

"I should be glad," he said, "if you would tell me your name."

Her first glance at him was fierce enough to have terrified a
different sort of man. Upon Tavernake it had absolutely no
effect.

"You need not unless you like, of course," he went on, "but I
wish to talk to you for a few moments and I thought that it would
be more convenient if I addressed you by name. I do not remember
to have heard it mentioned at Blenheim House, and Mrs. Lawrence,
as you know, does not introduce her guests."

By this time they had walked a score or so of paces together.
The girl, after her first furious glance, had taken absolutely no
notice of him except to quicken her pace a little. Tavernake
remained by her side, however, showing not the slightest sense of
embarrassment or annoyance. He seemed perfectly content to wait