r from her yesterday; she and Constance are going at it
night and day. I say, Goody, how much longer are you going to stay
here? Couldn't you tell the aunt you have had enough of it, and come
back? It is too slow for anything just now. I promise you some nice
little treats if you come. We will go up the river--you and I--and we
shall have it all our own way, for there will be nobody to interfere
with us.'

'I have promised to stay here till Mrs. Forsyth comes back,' I said.

'Oh, bother your promise! Say you found it too slow, and couldn't
stand it any longer.'

'But I don't find it slow,' I said, looking at him full in the face.
'I think I like Miss Rayner's society better than yours.'

Kenneth looked quite taken aback at first, and then we both laughed
together.

'It's true,' I persisted.

'I don't believe it; I shall give you a dose of my society to-day, for
I shall stay on to dinner here. What shall we do this afternoon?'

'Miss Rayner does not expect you to stay on,' I said, 'for she wished
you good-bye before she went out just now.'

'I know she did, but I intend to stay, all the same.'

And this he did, telling Miss Rayner when she came in that there was no
dinner at home, Hugh was in town, and he was sure she would offer him
further hospitality.

Kenneth could be very amusing when he liked, and he certainly brought a
fresh element into our quiet life. He asked me to play on my violin
after dinner, and when I had finished he turned to Miss Rayner and
said, 'That is Goody's strong forte--that instrument of hers. She
could charm a man's soul away by some of her strains!' And then he
took his leave.

There was silence between us for some time after his departure. I
thought Miss Rayner was reading, and though I was professedly doing the
same, my thoughts kept wandering off to Captain Gates. I wondered if I
was responsible for his going back to his old reckless life. He had
told me once what a snare gambling had been to him, and how much he
wanted to give it up. This visit to Monte Carlo would plunge him into
the midst of it again.

I was startled out of my reverie by Miss Rayner's voice saying, 'What
pictures are you seeing in the fire, child?'

I looked up. 'I was only thinking,' I said.

'So I suppose. Who is this Captain Gates that Kenneth mentioned?'

I coloured. How often she seemed to read my thoughts! 'A friend of
Kenneth who often comes to stay with the Forsyths.'

'And