"You were quite right, Parkins," Saton answered. "I think I know who
she is, but I was scarcely expecting her to-day."

He opened the door of the morning-room and closed it quickly. The
woman rose up from the couch, where she had apparently been asleep,
and looked at him.

"At last!" she exclaimed. "Bertrand, do you know that I have been here
since the morning?"

"How was I to know?" he answered. "You sent no word that you were
coming. I certainly did not expect you."

"Are you glad?" she asked, a little abruptly.

"I am always glad to see you, Violet," he said, putting his arm around
her waist and kissing her. "All the same, I am not sure that your
coming here is altogether wise."

"I waited as long as I could," she answered. "You didn't come to me.
You scarcely even answered my letters. I couldn't bear it any longer.
I had to come and see you. Bertrand, you haven't forgotten? Tell me
that you haven't forgotten."

He sat down by her side. She was a young woman, and though her face
was a little hardened by the constant use of cosmetics, she was still
well enough looking.

"My dear Violet," he said, "of course I have not forgotten. Only don't
you see how unwise it is of you to come down here? If she were to
know----"

"She will not know," the girl interrupted. "She is safe in London, and
will be there for a week."

"The servants here might tell her that you have been," he suggested.

"You will have to see to it that they don't," she said. "Bertrand, I
am so unhappy. When are you coming back?"

"Very soon," he answered.

"We can spend the evening together, can't we?" she asked, looking at
him anxiously. "My train doesn't go back until nine."

"That is just what we cannot do," he answered. "You did not tell me
that you were coming, and I have to go out to dinner to-night."

"To dinner? Here?" she repeated. "You have soon made friends." And her
face darkened.

"I stayed here when I was a boy," he answered. "There is someone
living here who knew me then."

"Can't you put it off, Bertrand?" she begged. "It is five weeks since
I have seen you. Every day I have hoped that you would run up, if it
was only for an hour. Bertrand dear, don't go to this dinner. Can't we
have something here, and go for a walk in the country before my train
goes, or sit in your study and talk? There are so many things I want
to ask you about our future."

He took her hand and leaned towards her.

"My dear Violet," he said, "