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, or because she wants a return in kind. How am I to get hold of her without running up against the other girl?" Like Napoleon, he possessed the faculty of concentrating his thoughts in the most distracting environments. With the whole energy of his physical and mental strength he set himself to frame his plans amid the hubbub of the afternoon tea. The better to excuse his absorption he opened his note-book and became apparently engrossed in jotting down something from time to time—a trick not infrequent in this circle of idea-mongers.

Meanwhile Philippa was deploying her forces to surround and capture Mrs. Testly Durham for her purposed dinner.

"When could she and dearest Victoria come? It must be soon. What, all the week engaged? They must set their own date, then—such busy people! Oh, yes, she knew they must be fairly importuned with invitations—but this was different; friends from childhood. So glad Victoria had at last come home."

"Dear Victoria," who fully appreciated the 118