hings. And--well, then he told me.
He told me and went straight out of the room. I waited a long while, but
he didn't come back, and I haven't spoken to him since." She looked at
each of them in turn as though someone might be able to help her with
the puzzle.

"Somehow you made him do it--you," said Mina Zabriska.

Slowly Cecily's eyes settled on Mina's face; thus she stood silent for a
full minute.

"Yes, I think so. I think I must have somehow." Her voice rose as she
asked with a sudden access of agitation, "But what are we to do now?"

Mina had no thought for that; it was the thing itself that engrossed
her, not the consequences.

"There will, of course, be a good many formalities," said Iver. "Subject
to those, I imagine that the--er--question settles itself."

His phrase seemed to give Cecily no enlightenment.

"Settles itself?" she repeated.

"Subject to formal proof, I mean, and in the absence of opposition from"
(he hesitated a second) "--from Mr Tristram, which can't be anticipated
now, you will be put into possession of the estates and the title." He
pointed to Harry's letter which was still in her hands. "You see what he
himself calls you there, Miss Gainsborough."

She made no answer. With another glance at Neeld, Iver pushed back his
chair and rose. Neeld followed his example. They felt that the interview
had better end. Duplay did not move, and Cecily stood where she was. She
seemed to ask what was to be done with her; her desolation was sad, but
it had something of the comic in it. She was so obviously lost.

"You might walk down to Blent with Miss Gainsborough, Mina," Iver
suggested.

"No," cried the Imp in a passion, leaping up from her chair. "I don't
want to have anything to do with her."

Cecily started and her cheeks flushed red as though she had been struck.
Iver looked vexed and ashamed.

"It's all her fault that Harry Tristram's--that Harry Tristram's----"
The Imp's voice was choked; she could get no further.

Old Mr Neeld came forward. He took Harry's letter from Cecily and gave
it to Mina.

"My dear, my dear!" he said gently, as he patted her hand. "Read that
again."

Mina read, and then scrutinized Cecily keenly.

"Well, I'll walk down with you," she said grudgingly. She came nearer to
Cecily. "I wonder what you did!" she exclaimed, scanning her face. "I
must find out what you did!"

Iver came forward. "I must introduce myself to you, Miss Gainsborough. I
live at Blent