Page:The cream of the jest; a comedy of evasions (IA creamofjestcomed00caberich).pdf/229

 good-by, Muriel. It has been very delightful to see you again."

"I was mistaken, though, of course. It was the top of a vanity-box, or of a toilet water flask, or of something else, that she took out of the bag, when she was looking for her handkerchief. It was just a silly coincidence. I was mistaken, of course And here is Kathleen's train. Thank goodness, it was late enough"

Thus Kennaston, as he went to receive his wife's cool kiss. And—having carefully mentioned as a matter of no earthly importance that he had just seen Muriel Allardyce, and that she had gone off terribly in looks, and that none of them seem to hold their own like you, dear—he disbarred from mind that awkward moment's delusion, and tried not to think of it any more.