we did not--walk far. I took him through the park to the
side gate----"

A general exclamation.

"Do wait," continued Leo, quickly. "At the gate we fell in with Mr.
Custance,--" involuntarily her eye rested on Sue, and Sue was silenced
on the instant,--"so then I knew we were all right. We headed him off
coming here, for which I knew you would be grateful. He would not have
assimilated with Aunt Charlotte's lot." She paused for assent, and
perceiving the shot told, proceeded with confidence: "So we took the
dear rector along with us--we could do nothing else,--and when I came
back, they went on together. I thought it was rather masterly, myself."

"Why, aye, Custance would have been a fish out of water," allowed the
general, nodding approval; "though to be sure the clergyman of the
parish is always a respectable visitor. But what of young Butts? I hope
he did not think it rather cavalier being shipped off in that fashion?"

"You see I was quite civil to him, father. I saw him looking at his
watch as if in a hurry to be off; so I suggested making his apologies to
you; and we were standing near the door, so it made no disturbance; and
my hat was in the hall, and I _was_ so glad to get out into the open
air--there was no harm in it, was there, Sue?"

No wonder the recipient of so much diplomacy went home radiant. He
really--really he,--dashed if he didn't think he had a chance. If he
could only work it up--he hummed and hawed and considered. At length:
"I'll tell you what, Aunt Laura, it's no use shilly-shallying when
there's so little time. If you can bring about one other meeting----"

"I have thought of that, George, and have secured the Merivale girls for
golf-croquet on Thursday."

"Bravo! you don't let the grass grow under your feet. Thursday? That's
the last day I have here, but I suppose--no, you could not have done
anything sooner."

"And I thought you might ride over to-morrow, with my note?"

"I say! That would look a bit pointed, wouldn't it?"

"Perhaps. But since Leonore was so nice to you to-day----"

"Oh, she was. Still----" he hesitated.

"What is it, George?--" a trifle impatiently.

"It's so beastly hard to tell. She's a dear little thing, and if she had
been any one else, I should say she was--was----" and he laughed
foolishly.

"_Epris?_"

"Look here, Aunt Laura, I'm not a fool, and it seems almost uncanny,
don't you know?"

"Your being in such luck?"

"A girl like that! If she wer