“For shame, Mac!” cried Catherine. “Sir Philip means me no harm.” MacGuffin looked up at her with sorrowful eyes. To Sir Philip she said, “He really is a very good-natured creature in general.”

“He probably caught a scent of Lady Josephine upon me. That deuced creature will get my coat all over hair when I call upon my aunt.”

“Yes, that must be the case. Good day, Sir Philip, and thank you again for your kindness.”

“It was my pleasure, ma’am. Did I hear my cousin say that you would be at the theatre tonight?”

“Yes, Lord Whiting procured a box and invited us to join him.”

“May I look forward to the pleasure of visiting your box between acts?”

Catherine was unsure of the proper response to such a proposal. “Why — yes, I dare say his lordship will not mind.”

“That is very good of you to say.” He raised her gloved hand to his lips. “Until tonight.”

Catherine, blushing at such attention, hastily said good-bye and left the house. As she reached Pulteney-street, she could not help looking back; Sir Philip still stood in the doorway of his aunt’s house, watching after her with a little smile.



***

The maidservant had just placed the final touches on her hair when Henry entered Catherine’s dressing-room. He surveyed her with pleasure. “Very lovely, my sweet. Whiting and Eleanor join us for dinner; I saw them at Milsom-street, and did not think you would mind.”