rmuring some
unintelligible words, whereupon Teresa rose so quickly as to give the
idea that she was glad of the excuse.

"I will come with you! Your room is not quite ready. You must come to
mine." She turned to Dane holding out her hand with a flickering smile.
"You will excuse me, Dane. We are so busy... The Vicar is coming in
later, and Mr Hunter, and the dressmaker... There's so much to be
done... We will see you again?"

She turned away, without waiting for a reply, and Dane reseated himself
in silence. To say that he was surprised, but feebly expresses his
sentiments; he was stunned, he could hardly persuade himself that he had
heard aright. He looked eagerly at Mrs Mallison, seeking a clue from
her, and beheld a kindred surprise, mingled with an unmistakable
complacence. Obviously the mother approved of her daughter's reserve,
and felt a natural satisfaction in his rebuff, but before the silence
had continued long enough to become awkward, she remembered her duties
as hostess, and vouchsafed an explanation:

"Mary arrived just before tea... They have not seen each other for a
year.--So much has happened..."

"Of course. Just so... I quite understand," Dane said vaguely. Then,
after a moment's pause, "Teresa looks thin!" he added anxiously. "This
has been a great shock to her."

"M-yes!" Mrs Mallison said. Just the one word, yet Dane found himself
flushing guiltily, and realising that he was _meant_ to realise that no
shock, however great, could alter a girl's physique, as Teresa had
altered since he had seen her last. He dropped the subject, and tried
another.

"I came as quickly as I could after getting the news. I hoped I might
be in time to help. What arrangements,... can I help you to make
arrangements?"

"Thank you very much, but everything is settled. Mr Hunter is looking
after everything. I expect him this evening to talk over details. The
day after to-morrow, at twelve o'clock. Will it be possible for you to
stay?"

Again Dane was conscious of shock, followed by a pang of something
curiously like irritation. Hunter? How did Hunter come to be on such
intimate terms? Then he remembered that Hunter was a doctor, and felt a
rising of spirits. Of course! Quite natural! Hunter had been in
attendance.

"Of course I shall stay. I hope I may be of some use to you later, on.
I'm glad you had someone on the spot. Hunter is the young doctor, isn't
he? Extraordinarily kin