Mrs. Bode¹ had come that afternoon to Bosquith with the well-defined intention of receiving an invitation to return and spend a week. Mrs. Winstone, who was about to be deserted² by Mrs. Macmanus, and was growing more bored daily, now that the novelty of playing hostess for the Duke of Kingsborough was wearing thin, and meditated³ a round of visits to more amusing houses at no distant date, was delighted at the advent⁴ of the vivacious⁵ American and needed no subtle arts of suggestion to invite her for the following Monday. The children were included in the invitation, but Emily begged to be permitted to visit a school friend at present in London, and Mrs. Bode returned with the enamoured Dan.

She had been astounded⁶, then amused at his plan to abduct⁷ young Mrs. France, but found herself forced to appeal to his reason. He had stormed about the hotel sitting-room⁸, calling her names for the first time in his life: “snob,” “coward,” “heartless woman,” “no sister.” Mrs. Bode, whose good-nature was one of her assets, and immune to unspoken insults long since, refused to be offended, wisely repressed her desire to laugh, pretended sympathy, did not once allude⁹ to the fact that he was merely fifteen, and talked to him as a wise woman ever talks to a man whose common sense is for the moment in abeyance¹⁰.

“Come back and get her when you are twenty-one,” she advised. “By that time you will be a full partner in the business, and father can’t

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