He showed himself out, and shut the door after him. I went
upstairs and took off my things."

"He didn't stay long then?"

"About three minutes, I should say, perhaps four; I can't tell you to a
second, unfortunately. I didn't look at the clock."

Cecil laughed, half apologetic, half relieved.

"Oh, well, you needn't be sarcastic. Naturally I wanted to know. I
couldn't make it out when I saw your writing, for you had given me the
scarf--I'm going to buy your present at the sales, by the way--but, of
course, when I took off the paper, there was a message inside. I was
expecting that present."

"I hope it was very nice?"

"Oh, yes--yes! A brooch," Cecil said carelessly. Claire hoped it was
not the insignificant little golden bar which she was wearing at the
moment, but she had never seen it before, and Cecil's jewellery was of
the most limited description. She determined to ask no more questions
on the subject, since evidently none were desired. Cecil helped herself
to a second scone, and asked suddenly--

"Why didn't he sit down?"

"It wasn't necessary, was it? He gave his message, and then there was
nothing to say. I wasn't going to make conversation."

"You didn't like him!" cried Cecil, but she laughed as she spoke, and
her face relaxed; it was evident that she was more pleased than
disconcerted at her friend's lack of approval. "You're no good at
hiding your feelings, Claire; your voice gives you away as well as your
face. _Why_ didn't you like Major Carew? I suppose you don't deny that
he is a handsome man?"

"I don't think I care about handsome men," said Claire, seeing before
her a clean-shaven face which could lay no claims to beauty, but in
comparison with which the Major's coarse good looks were abhorrent in
her eyes.

"Prefer men plain, I suppose? Well, I don't; I shouldn't like Frank
half so much, if he didn't look so big and imposing. And other people
admire him, too. People stare at him as we pass. I suppose you have
guessed that it is with him that I've been going out? There didn't seem
any need to speak of it before, but during the rest of the holidays you
might expect me to go about with you, and sometimes--often, I hope, I'll
be engaged, so it's just as well to explain. We can do things together
in the morning, but naturally--"

"Yes, of course; I quite understand. Don't worry about me, Cecil. I'd
love you to have a good time. Are you--are you engaged to him, dear?"