ing, but the moment that the girl's laugh sounded,
she too laughed. She ran down the steps and put her arms about Phyllis,
kissing her on the face.

"This is more than the most exacting of ghosts could reasonable look
for," cried Phyllis. "Oh, Ella! I'm so glad that I followed my own
impulse and came back to you. I thought you were here all alone--how
could I know that Mr. Courtland would return in the meantime to complete
his visit?--and when I looked out on the dust and the smoke of the town
and thought of this--this--this exquisite stillness,--you can just hear
the water of the weir,--this garden, this scent of roses, but chiefly
when I thought of you sitting in your loneliness----Well, is it any
wonder that I am here now?--you implored of me to stay, you know, Ella."

"It is no wonder indeed, being what you are--a good angel, my good
angel, Phyllis," cried the woman. "Oh, dearest, you are welcome! Why
did you leave me Phyllis? Why did you leave me? Oh, the good angels can
never be trusted. You should not have left me to myself, dear. I am only
a woman. Ah, you don't yet know what a woman is. That is the worst of
angels and men; they don't know what a woman is. Come into the house,
Phyllis. Come in, Herbert. How did you manage to meet?"

"You know I went out to the garden----" said the man.

"Yes; I knew that--you left me alone," said the woman, and she gave a
laugh.

"I strolled from the garden to the road--I had to ask the people at the
Old Bell to keep a room for me, of course."

"Of course."

"And just outside the inn I came face to face with Miss Ayrton's fly.
Miss Ayrton was good enough to get out and walk with me, sending the fly
on with her maid. I told the man to wait in order to take my portmanteau
to the inn. It must be at the hall door now. We entered by the garden
gate."

"Nothing could be simpler," said Ella. They had by this time walked up
the steps into the drawing room. "Nothing could be simpler." Then she
turned to Phyllis. "But how did you contrive to evade the great function
to-night?"

"Papa did not feel very well," said Phyllis, "and I know that he was
only too glad of an excuse to stay at home."

"And you forsook your sick father to come to me? Oh, my dear Phyllis,
what have you done?"

"If you ask me in confidence I should say that papa is not quite so ill
as to stand in need of a nurse," she whispered. "Oh, no! Make your mind
easy. I have neglected no duty in coming to you."