dislike it.'

'I am afraid Gates has lost his chance,' Kenneth continued, with one of
his provoking smiles. 'I met him last week, Goody, and what do you
think he was doing? Now don't look so indifferent, for, remember, if
he goes to the dogs, it will be you who has driven him there. He was
packing his things up for Monte Carlo. And he is going to propose to
the first heiress that he comes across, for he is desperately hard up
just now.'

I felt my cheeks get hot, and I knew that Miss Rayner's eyes were
scanning me closely.

'How is Violet?' I asked. 'Isn't she feeling rather lonely?'

'I never set eyes on her,' was the brotherly reply, 'except that before
I got off this morning she came rushing out with all sorts of messages
to you. I told her I shouldn't remember half. One was that she wanted
you back, I think; the other, that Miss Graham had taken your precious
Sunday class, and had found it so entertaining that she was going to
try it again.'

'Oh, I am so glad!' I exclaimed. 'I was hoping she would; and is she
going to give Jim a reading-lesson in the week, do you know?'

'That I can't tell you.'

After luncheon, Miss Rayner went down to the village on some errand,
and then Kenneth inquired, 'Is she treating you well?'

'Of course,' I replied; 'she is most kind, and I am enjoying myself
very much.'

'What on earth do you do with yourself all day in this out-of-the-way
hole? Have you seen a single visitor since you have been here?'

'Not one,' I said, laughing; 'and for myself, I would just as soon be
without them.'

'We are awfully slow at home just now,' Kenneth said; 'Hugh is as
grumpy and cross as two sticks. I dine out whenever I can, and shoot
everything I come across in the day-time. I even condescend to
rabbits, if there's nothing better on hand. I think we shall have the
house pretty full when the girls come back. Amongst other people, Hugh
is asking a new crony of his, some scientific fellow whom he raves
about.'

'I never heard him rave about anybody or anything!' I remarked.

'It is raving for him, when he tells you that his chum is thought no
end of by different celebrities, and that he considers it an honour to
have him under our unworthy roof--or words to that effect. Mother will
be delighted to have him, as he is unmarried, and has a big estate
somewhere.'

'Have you heard from Nelly?' I asked, changing the subject, as I did
not like his sneering tone.

'Had a lette