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 engaged with Mrs. Crisp, she in conversation, he in calling up all his reserves of good-breeding to simulate interest. Presently he found himself standing quite close to him.

"And now," he heard Drewitt say, "I must take Richard home. He is really an invalid, and has to be careful of the night air. You see he set out to get near to Nature; but found her an extremely chilly damsel, and contracted pneumonia."

"You are quite right, Lord Drewitt," streamed Mrs. Crisp. "I had a brother once who caught cold after bronchitis, although he always wore goloshes. Such splendid things. Americans call them 'rubbers.' Always reminds me of whist. He was gone in a week. You can never be too careful, Mr. Berry," she added, turning to Beresford.

"And now, Mrs. Crisp, I really must take him away," and leaving Mrs. Crisp still in full cry, they went in search of Lady Drewitt.

As they made their adieux, Lady Drewitt once more stated her intention of calling for Drewitt on the morrow at a quarter-past eight. They passed out of the Belle Vue and turned down Piccadilly. For some time they walked in silence.

"Death with some men is a supreme stroke of diplomacy," murmured Drewitt at length, "with others it is an unsporting act of evasion. I have known cases even when it might have been described as an indulgence; but with Mr. Crisp it was unquestionably an act of self-preservation."

"If the fair Lola insists on Auntie living with you,