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 little group in that corner of the drawing-room. Suddenly—I don't quite know why—I made up my mind. 'I'm going out to India for the Durbar,' I said. I was looking straight at Lady Manifold, yet I could feel that everyone round gave a movement of surprise. 'My dear, how charming!' said Lady Manifold. 'We are going too. You must come by our boat.' 'I should like that immensely,' I replied, feeling that my decision was quite irrevocable now. 'I was just wondering with whom I should make the journey.'

'I shall be delighted,' said Lady Manifold, and Marjory expressed herself duly pleased also. We at once entered into details. 'Everyone seems to be going to the great Durbar,' said Lord Hendley, leaning forward, and taking advantage of the first pause in the conversation. 'It will be very jolly meeting so many old friends there.' Everyone looked round at Lord Hendley. 'Are you going too?' asked Lady Manifold, with what I thought undue animation. I always had suspected that Lady Manifold had designs for Marjory upon Lord Hendley, though I knew quite well that Marjory's affections were engaged elsewhere. 'Oh yes, I'm going,' said Lord Hendley. I glanced at him quickly. I felt certain that he looked a bit self-conscious. I wondered if his decision to go to the great Durbar had been as suddenly taken as mine had been. 'What boat are you going by?' I asked casually.