anifestly absurd."

"Then who is she in love with?" demanded Bathurst, with lazy insistence.
"You're the only other man she knows, and there's certainly someone. No
girl would throw up such a catch as your brother for the mere sentiment
of the thing. It stands to reason there must be someone else. And there
is no one but you. She doesn't know anyone else, I tell you. She has no
opportunities. Her mother sees to that."

Scott was bending over the fire, his face to the flame. His indignation
had died down. He was very still, as one deep in thought. Could it be the
true word spoken in ill-timed jest which he had just heard? He wondered;
he wondered.

A golden radiance was spreading forth to him from the heart of those
leaping flames, like the coming of the dawnlight over the dark earth. He
watched it spell-bound, utterly unmindful of the man behind him. If this
thing were true! Ah, if this thing were true!

A sudden sound made him turn to see Colonel de Vigne and his daughter
enter.

They came forward to greet him and Bathurst. Rose was smiling; her eyes
were softly bright.

"How happy she looks!" was the thought that occurred to him, but it was
only a passing thought. It vanished in a moment as he heard her accost
Bathurst.

"How is our poor little Dinah by this time?"

"You had better ask this gentleman," airily responded Bathurst. "He has
elected to make himself responsible for her welfare."

Rose's delicate brows went up, but very strangely Scott no longer felt in
the least disconcerted. He replied to her unspoken query without
difficulty.

"Dinah felt that she could not face the gossips," he said, "and as Isabel
was badly wanting her, they have gone away together. Except for old
Biddy, they will be quite alone, and it will do them both all the good in
the world."

Rose's brow cleared. "What an excellent arrangement!" she murmured
sympathetically. "And--your brother?"

Scott smiled. "Needless to say, he is not of the party. His plans are
somewhat uncertain. He may go abroad for a time, but I doubt if he
banishes himself for long when the London season is in full swing."

Rose's smile answered his. "I think he is very wise," she said. "When
Easter is over, we shall probably follow his example. I hope we shall
have the pleasure of meeting you when we are all in town."

"Ha! So do I," said the Colonel. "You must look me up at the Club--any
time. I shall be delighted."

"You are very kind," Scott said.