THE CUP OF TEA. came. She had the table placed between them

came. She had the table placed between them. She plied¹⁰ the poor \щ creature with everything, all the sandwiches, all the bread and butter, _ail(j every time her cup was empty she filled it with tea, cream and sugar. Peopi_e always said sugar was so nourishing. As for herself she didn't eat; she smoked and looked away tactfully so that the other should not be shy.

And really the effect of that slight meal was marvellous. When the tea-table was carded away a new being, a light, frail" creature with tangled hair, darklips, deep, lighted eyes, laybackinthe big chair in a kind of sweet languor, looking at the blaze. Rosemary lit a fresh cigarette; it was time to begin.

" And when did you have your last meal? " she asked softly. But at that moment the door-handle turned.

" Rosemary, may I come in? " It was Philip.

" Of course."

He came in. " Oh, I'm so sorry, " he said, and stopped and stared.

" It's quite all right, " said Rosemary, smiling. " This is my friend. Miss..."

" Smith, madam, " said the languid figure, who was strangely still and unafraid.

" Smith" said Rosemary. " We are going to have a little talk."

" Oh, yes, " said Philip. " Quite, " and his eye caught sight of the coat and hat on the floor. He came over to the fire and turned his back to it. " It's a beastly afternoon, " he said curiously, still looking at that listless figure, look­ing at its hands and boots, and then at Rosemary again. " Yes, isn't it? " said Rosemary enthusiastically. " Vile." Philip smiled his charming smile. " Asa matter of fact, " said he, " I wanted you to come into the library for a moment Would you? Will Miss Smith excuse us? "

The big eyes were raised to him, but Rosemary answered for her: " Of course she will." And they went out of the room together.

" I say, " said Philip, when they were alone. " Explain. Who is she? What does it all mean? "

Rosemary, laughing, leaned against the door and said: " I picked her up in Curzon Street. Really. She's a real pick-up. She asked me for the price °' a cup of tea, and I brought her home with me."

" But what on earth are you going to do with her? " cried Philip.

" Be nice to her, " said Rosemary quickly. " Be frightfully nice to her. Lo$ after her. I don't know how. We haven't talked yet. But show her-treat И^еГ' make her feel-" THE CUP OF TEA

" My darling girl, '" said Philip, " you're quite mad, you know. It simply can't be done."

" I knew you'd say that, " retorted Rosemary. " Why not? I want to. Isn't that a reason? and besides, one's always reading about these things. I de­cided-"

" But, " said Philip slowly, and he cut the end of a cigar, " she's so astonishingly pretty."

" Pretty? " Rosemary was so surprised that she blushed.

" Do you think so? I... I hadn't thought about it"

" Good Lord! " Philip struck a match. " She's absolutely lovely. Look again, my child. I was bowled over¹² when I came into your room just now. However... I think you're making a ghastly mistake. Sorry, darling, if I'm crude and all that. But let me know if Miss Smith is going to dine with us in time for me to look up The Milliner's Gazette.¹³"

" You absurd creature! " said Rosemary, and she went out of the library, but not back to her bedroom. She went to her writing-room and sat down at her desk. Pretty! Absolutely lovely! Bowled over! Her heart beat like a heavy bell. Pretty! Lovely! She drew her cheque book towards her. But no, cheques would be no use, of course. She opened a drawer and took out five pound notes, looked at them, put two back, and holding the three squeezed in her hand, she went back to her bedroom.

Half an hour later Philip was still in the library, when Rosemary came in.

" I only wanted to tell you, " said she, and she leaned against the door again and looked at him with her dazzled exotic gaze. " Miss Smith won't dine with us to-night."

Philip put down the paper. " Oh, what's happened? Previous engage­ment? "

Rosemary came over and sat down on his knee. " She insisted on going, " said she, " so I gave the poor little thing a present of money. I couldn't keep her against her will, could 1? " she added softly.

Rosemary had just done her hair, darkened her eyes a little and put on her pearls. She put up her hands and touched Philip's cheeks.

" Do you like me? " said she, and her tone, sweet, husky, troubled him.

" I like you awfully, " he said, and he held her tighter.

" Kiss me."

There was a pause.

Then Rosemary said dreamily: " I saw a fascinating little box to-day. It cost twenty-eight guineas. May I have it? "

265 I I;