"
She glanced at him in momentary surprise; then she smiled in
her quiet, self-possessed way.
"Of course!" she said. "I've been wanting a chat with
Millicent Gower, but Bobby has required so much entertaining--"
She smiled again, this time at Blessington, and moved away
towards a pale girl in green who was standing alone.
Instantly she had turned Loder took Blessington's arm.
"I know you're tremendously busy," he began, in an excellent
imitation of Chilcote's hasty manner--" I know you're
tremendously busy, but I'm in a fix."
One glance at Blessington's healthy, ingenuous face told him
that plain speaking was the method to adopt.
"Indeed, sir?" In a moment Blessington was on the alert.
"Yes. And I--I want your help."
The boy reddened. That Chilcote should appeal to him stirred
him to an uneasy feeling of pride and uncertainty.
Loder saw his advantage and pressed it home. "It's come about
through this crystal-gazing business. I'm afraid I didn't
play my part--rather made an ass of myself; I wouldn't swallow
the thing, and--and Lady Astrupp--" He paused, measuring
Blessington with a glance.
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