"How long are you to be in London?" she asked, with a sudden
kindness.

"Only a fortnight."

"Well, you must often come and see me. I shall have the Ingham-
Bakers staying with me a few weeks longer. It is dull for poor
Agatha with only two old women in the house. Come to lunch to-
morrow, and we can do something in the afternoon."

"Thank you very much," said Luke.

"You will come?"

"I should like nothing better."

And so the music went on--and the game. Some played a losing game
from the beginning, and others played without quite knowing the
stake. Some held to certain rules, while others made the rules as
they went along--as children do--ignorant of the tears that must
inevitably follow. But Fate placed all the best cards in Mrs.
Harrington's hand.

Luke and the Count Cipriani de Lloseta went out of the house
together. They walked side by side for some yards while a watchful
hansom followed.

"Can I give you a lift?" said De Lloseta at length. "I am going
down to the Peregrinator's."