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was on the point of a hasty retort. He was a gamester through and through, and he prided himself upon his expertise. But when he met his cousin’s quizzical, knowing gaze, he swallowed whatever he had been about to say. It was not his object to set up her back. Instead, he took her hand and made a flourishing bow. “I shall count the days until we meet again, cousin.”
    “And I, too, cousin,” said Lucinda with a touch of irony.
    He retained her hand when she would have withdrawn it and, with a soulful glance, said ingenuously, “By the by, I met Wilfred Mays coming out of your house when I arrived. He mentioned a dinner party or something of the sort that you are planning. I do hope that I am invited?”
    “To be sure, Ferdie! You see, I mean to invite all of London,” said Lucinda gently.
    Mr. Stassart smiled with difficulty through his anger. She had so neatly pricked all of his attempts to cozen her. He let go of her hand. “You are gracious,” he said, his teeth still bared in an insincere smile.
    He did not delay any longer in taking his leave. With a stiff parting nod in Miss Blythe’s direction, he left the ladies to the amusement of what he felt could only be their own dull company.
    When the door shut behind him, Miss Blythe jabbed her needle into her piecework and rolled it up. “Well! I must say that was as good as a play.”
    Lucinda laughed. “Wasn’t it? Poor Ferdie! He tried so hard to play off his tricks.” She glanced speculatively at the closed door. “I wonder how much he wanted. I almost asked him.”
    “You will never open your pockets to that one!” exclaimed Miss Blythe sharply.
    “Never fear, Tibby. I have my cousin Ferdie’s measure. He will make up to me as long as he believes that I will someday allow him to dip into my purse,” said Lucinda. She wandered over to the mantle and idly fingered a priceless figurine. “And for the moment, it amuses me to see how long his hope will carry him.”
    Miss Blythe eyed her askance. “That does not sound very nice, my dear.”
    “It doesn’t, does it? I am constantly amazed at my own cynicism these days.”
    Lucinda turned to smile at her companion, somewhat wistfully. “But perhaps if Ferdie tries to hang from my sleeve, he will not apply to my father. You have not seen my parents this last twelvemonth, Tibby. I doubt not that you would be shocked. My father is not so vigorous as he once was, nor is my mother. I would like them not to be made anxious for anything. Is it so wrong of me to wish that, Tibby?”
    “No, Lucinda, of course it is not wrong,” said Miss Blythe gently. She rose and went to the bellpull. “Shall I ring for tea? I believe it to be almost time in any event.”
    “Yes, do. And when Church comes in, I shall tell him that we are no longer home to callers. Does that suit you, Tibby?”
    “Perfectly,” said Miss Blythe. “Such a visit as we have just sustained begs time for recovery.”
    Lucinda laughed. “Just so!”
    Lucinda and Miss Blythe spent what remained of the afternoon in a quiet fashion. They took dinner at home as had been their usual custom since coming to London. They planned to attend the theater that evening, however, and went upstairs an hour beforehand to dress.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    As promised, some of the gowns that Lucinda had commissioned were delivered. One was a lavishly trimmed evening gown for Miss Blythe. The severely cut cream silk gown bestowed elegance upon its wearer, and she smoothed its skirt with both trepidation and pleasure. Never in her life had she owned such a beautiful garment.
    During the shopping trip, Miss Blythe’s humble conscience had continued to prick her, and she had objected again to purchases that Lucinda had insisted upon making for her. “Lucinda, pray do not! With the excessive salary that you are giving me as your companion, I am well able to purchase my own stockings and gloves!”
    “Tibby, is it not true that a companion’s wardrobe and her food