the dreary prospect outside the
window. "Though he didn't actually insist on my going, the idea's
attractive."

"Could you leave your business?" Mrs. Lansing inquired.

Herbert smiled.

"Yes; I think so. I was doing pretty well when I got run over, and
things have since slackened down. My manager can look after them while
I am away."

This was correct, so far as it went; but he had another reason for
deciding not to resume operations for a while. He suspected that his
recent conduct had excited distrust and indignation in certain
quarters, but this would, no doubt, blow over before his return.
People forgot, and he could avoid those whose confidence in him had
proved expensive,

"If that's the case, we may as well get off as soon as it can be
arranged," said Mrs. Lansing. She turned to Sylvia. "Of course, you
will come with us."

Sylvia hesitated. She believed her influence over Bland would not
weaken much in her absence; but, after all, it was wiser to run no
risk. Moreover, she would, to some extent, feel her separation from
the man.

"I really don't know what I ought to do," she answered. "I might be a
restraint upon you--you can't want me always at hand; and I could spend
a month or two with Dorothy. She has several times told me to come."

"You would be better with us," Mrs. Lansing rejoined with firmness; and
Sylvia suspected her of a wish to prevent her enjoying Bland's society.

"I'll think it over," she said.

After they had discussed the projected journey, Mrs. Lansing withdrew
on some domestic errand, and Herbert turned to Sylvia.

"I needn't point out that you'll be no trouble to us, but perhaps I'd
better mention that I had a letter from George this post. As there's
very little to be done until the spring, he thinks of coming over. I
don't know how far that may affect your decision."

Sylvia was a little startled, but she reflected rapidly. The house of
the relative she had thought of visiting would be open to George, as
would be one or two others in which she might stay a while. It was
most undesirable that he should encounter Bland, which would be likely
to happen. Then it struck her that Herbert might derive as little
satisfaction from his cousin's visit as it would afford her.

"Have you succeeded in selling George's shares yet?" she asked, and
though this was, on the face of it, an abrupt change of subject, she
thought Herbert would follow the sequence of ideas.

"No,"