ith pleading eyes, and once he
winked towards Grace. He talked on, however, running some of his words
into one another and paying very little attention to anything that
Grace might say: "No, I haven't seen my little niece, Miss Trenchard,
for a long time--didn't like to interfere, in a way. Thought she'd ask
for me when she wanted me. We've always been the greatest friends. I'm
a bachelor, you see--never married. Not that I'd like you to fancy that
I've no interest in the other sex, far from it, but I'm a wanderer by
nature. A wife in every port, perhaps. Well, who knows? But one's
lonely at times, one is indeed. A pretty tidy little place you've got
here. Yes, you have--with a garden too."

Paul came in, and Maggie saw him start as Mathew's stout figure
surprised him. She felt then a rush of hostility against Paul. It was
as though, at every point, she must run in fiercely to defend her uncle.

Meanwhile Grace's worst fears were realised. The little maid announced
Miss Purves and Mrs. Maxse. A terrible half-hour followed. Miss Purves,
as soon as she understood that this strange man was Mrs. Trenchard's
uncle, was all eager excitement, and Uncle Mathew, bewildered by so
many strangers, confused by a little unsteadiness in his legs that
would have been nothing had he not been in a small room crowded with
furniture, finally clasped Mrs. Maxse by the shoulder in his endeavour
to save himself from tumbling over the little table that held the cakes
and bread-and-butter. His hot, heavy hand pressed into Mrs. Maxse's
flesh, and Mrs. Maxse, terrified indeed, screamed.

He began to apologise, and in his agitation jerked Miss Purves' cup of
tea from the table on to the floor.

After that he realised that it would be better for him to go. He began
elaborate apologies. Paul saw him to the door. He gripped Paul by the
hand. "I'm delighted to have met you," he said in full hearing of the
trembling ladies. "You've given me such a good time. Give my little
Maggie a good time too. She's not looking over well. Send her up to
London to stay with me for a bit."

Maggie saw him to the gate. In the middle of the little drive he
stopped, turning towards her, leaning his hands heavily upon her.
"Maggie dear," he said, "I'm in a bad way, a very bad way. You won't
desert me?"

"Of course I won't," she answered. "I may want your help in a week or
two."

He looked dismally about him, at the thick, dull laurel bushes and the
heavy, grey sk