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 'When does the Arethusa sail?' he asked, looking straight at Lord Hendley, pinning him down to an answer, as it were.

Lord Hendley almost lost his presence of mind, and got up to go. 'The beginning of November,' he said hastily, as he went across to shake hands with Lady Manifold. 'Oh no,' the latter said, retaining his hand in hers in her surprise. 'The Arethusa doesn't sail till the 29th.' There was a pause. Then I created a diversion. I upset my cup of tea. It was very foolish of me, but Tony and Bob together had been too much for me. I was rather glad that some of the tea did fall on my dress, so that no one could say that I had upset the cup on purpose to cover Lord Hendley's confusion. Lord Hendley helped me to remove the stains, then he held out his hand to say good-bye. 'We ought to have a very jolly voyage,' he said. 'Yes,' I murmured demurely, 'at the beginning of November.'