"I cannot think what can be keeping Mr. Groome. He seemed to think it possible that he would not be back in time for dinner, but he said that, even if he were detained, he would be sure to be here in good time. I know that he has been looking forward to to-night, and he will be so disappointed if he should miss anything."
I said that I would go and see if, owing to some misunderstanding, he was wandering about down-stairs. I went and saw. But, apparently, there was nothing to be seen. I inquired in the hall, but nothing had been heard of Mr. Groome. I went through all the rooms. Nowhere were there any signs of him. When I got back into the concert-room the first item on the programme had been just completed.
"How very odd!" said Mrs. Groome, when I explained to her that my seeking had been vain. "As a rule Mr. Groome is so particular in keeping an appointment Almost finically particular now and then."
He might be now and then. But item followed item, and there was still no Mr. Groome. I had Mrs. Groome on my right, Nora on my left, and Bensberg sat on the other side of Nora.
"Ah!" all at once I heard him say, "there is Goad. I suppose we are to have him next."
At the same moment Nora began to fidget in her seat.
"Here's papa. Mamma, here's papa."
"Where, my love?" Mrs. Groome looked through her glasses in the direction in which Nora was glancing.
