e said, "the Comtesse was speaking of you, Lois.
She was so sorry that you had not been to see her lately."

"I will come this afternoon," Lois said quietly.

Vandermere, who had frowned heavily at the sound of her Christian name
upon Saton's lips, could scarcely conceal his anger at her promise.

"I have never had the pleasure," he said, "of meeting the Comtesse.
Perhaps I might be permitted to accompany Miss Champneyes?"

"You are very kind," Saton answered. "I am sorry, but the Comtesse is
beginning to feel her age, and she receives scarcely anyone. I am
afraid that the days are past when she would care to make new
acquaintances."

"In any case," Vandermere said, turning to his companion, "weren't we
going to Hurlingham this afternoon?"

"We were," she said doubtfully, "but I think----"

She looked towards Saton. His face was inexpressive, but she seemed to
read there something which prompted her words.

"I think that we must put off Hurlingham, if you do not mind," she
said to Vandermere. "I ought to go and see the Comtesse."

"It is very kind of you," Saton said slowly. "She will, I am sure, be
glad to see you."

Vandermere turned aside for a moment to exchange greetings with some
acquaintances.

"Lois," Saton said in a low tone, "you know I have told you that I do
not like to see you so much with Captain Vandermere."

"I cannot help it," she answered. "He is always at the house. He is a
great friend of Mr. Rochester's. Besides," she added, raising her eyes
to his, "I like being with him."

"You must consider also my likes and dislikes," Saton said. "Think how
hard it is for me to see you so very little."

"Oh, you don't care!" Lois exclaimed tremulously. "You know very well
that you don't care. It is all pretence, this. Why do you do it? Why
do you make me so unhappy?"

"No, Lois," he answered, "it is not pretence. I do care for you, and
in a very few weeks I am coming to fetch you away to make you my wife.
You will be glad, then," he went on. "You will be quite happy."

Vandermere turned back towards them. He had heard nothing of their
conversation, but he saw that Lois was white, and he had hard work to
speak calmly.

"Come," he said to Lois, "I think we had better go on. Good morning,
Mr. Saton!"

Saton stood aside to let them pass. He knew very well that Lois would
have stayed with him, had he bidden it, but he made no attempt to
induce her to do so.

"Till this afternoon," he said, ta