Patricia Brent, Spinster

Excerpt: ... hit her, her face flaming. "Oh!" she cried. "You?" "I have a table booked, and if you will dine with me you will be conferring a real favour upon a lonely fellow-creature." Bowen smiled from Patricia to Mr. Triggs, who was looking at him in surprise. "Oh! where are my manners?" cried Patricia as she introduced the two men. Mr. Triggs's eyes bulged at the mention of Bowen's title. "Now, Mr. Triggs," said Bowen, "won't you add the weight of your persuasion to mine, and persuade Miss Brent that the only thing to do is for you both to dine with me and save me from boredom?" "Well, it was to 'ave been my treat," said Mr. Triggs, not quite sure of his ground. "But you can afford to be generous. Can't you share her with me, just for this evening?" Mr. Triggs beamed and turned questioningly to Patricia, who, seeing that if she declined it would be a real disappointment to him, said: "Well, I suppose we must under the circumstances." "You're not very gracious, Patricia, are you?" said Bowen comically. Patricia laughed. "Well, come along, I'm starving," she said. Many heads were turned to look at the curious trio, headed by the obsequious maître d'hôtel, as they made their way towards Bowen's table. "I wonder what 'Ettie would say," whispered Mr. Triggs to Patricia, "me dining with a lord, and 'im being a pal of yours, too." Patricia smiled. She was wondering what trick Fate would play her next. The meal was a gay one. Bowen and Mr. Triggs immediately became friends and pledged each other in champagne. Mr. Triggs told of their visit to the Zoo and of the anniversary it celebrated. "Then you are a believer in marriage, Mr. Triggs," said Bowen. "A believer in it! I should just think I am," said Mr. Triggs. "I wish she'd get married," he added, nodding his head in the direction of Patricia. "She's going to," said Bowen quietly. Mr. Triggs sat up as if someone had hit him in the small of the back. "Going to," he cried. "Who's the man?" "You have just pledged...