as for Anna, Malcolm took her to task at last, when he found that
Cedric was in the habit of going over to Queen's Gate at all hours in
the day.

Anna thought Malcolm was serious, and flushed up in quite a distressed
manner at his bantering tone.

"Mother asked him," she said, defending herself quite anxiously. "It is
so dull for him at Cheyne Walk while you are in town, and so mother
said he could come here to luncheon whenever he liked."

"That was kind of her," returned Malcolm; "but as for dulness, there is
not a more jovial old fellow than Goliath of Gath. He and Verity would
look after him right enough during my absence. Cedric used to be quite
chummy with them when he was with me before."

"Yes, I know, dear, but Mr. Templeton says things are so different this
time. He likes the Kestons tremendously, but somehow he says he does
not feel up to the studio life. I know what he means, Malcolm," rather
shyly--"when one is unhappy one must choose one's own companions."

"And so Cedric prefers being here, and talking to you about his
troubles." Perhaps Malcolm's tone was slightly mischievous, for Anna
blushed violently.

"Oh, Malcolm, surely you understand," she returned nervously. "Don't
you see, Mr. Templeton knows we are sorry for him, and he is grateful
for our sympathy, and he likes to come and talk to us. He made me feel
quite bad yesterday. I could hardly sleep for thinking of all he went
through, and thinking of the death of that poor Mr. Carlyon. He does
seem so sorry for his sister, though he declares that he never thought
him good enough for her. That is how people talk," went on Anna,
frowning thoughtfully over her words; "they will judge by outward
appearance, as though anything matters when two people love each other.
Mr. Templeton has been talking so much about his sister Elizabeth that
he quite makes me long to see her, but all the same he seems to care
most for his elder sister."

"I believe he does," returned Malcolm; "but then she has taken the
place of a mother to him. Anna, dear, I was only in jest. I am really
very grateful to you and my mother for making Cedric so happy and at
home. I do quite understand, and I believe the society of two such good
women will do much for him. Like the rest of us, he has found out that
you are a friend born for adversity--a veritable daughter of
consolation," and Malcolm's words made Anna very happy.

When Cedric returned to Oxford for his last term, Malc