though it had been bleached, parted in the middle and oiled down flat.

For a moment there was a silence which I felt to be dreadful. Then in
a big, pompous voice A.-S. /pere/ said,

"How do you do, my dear Luna? As I ascertained from the footman that
you had not yet gone to dress, I insisted upon his leading us here for
a little private conversation after we have been parted for so many
years. We wished to offer you our condolences in person on your and
our still recent loss."

"Thank you," said Lady Ragnall, "but I think we have corresponded on
the subject which is painful to me."

"I fear that we are interrupting a smoking party, Thomas," said Mrs.
A.-S. in a cold voice, sniffing at the air for all the world like a
suspicious animal, whereon the five of them stared at Lady Ragnall's
cigarette which she held between her fingers.

"Yes," said Lady Ragnall. "Won't you have one? Mr. Quatermain, hand
Mrs. Smith the box, please."

I obeyed automatically, proffering it to the lady who nearly withered
me with a glance, and then to each to each in turn. To my relief the
young man took one.

"Archibald," said his mother, "you are surely not going to make your
sisters' dresses smell of tobacco just before dinner."

Archibald sniggered and replied,