remembers that he came with a message to the effect
that his mother wanted to speak to his father.

'Why didn't you tell me before?' says George.

'I'd forgotten it,' replies his son placidly; nothing ever disturbs
Teddy's peace of mind.

'You'll wait till I come back,' says Mr Seaton turning to Dalrymple, and
the door shuts.

A little time is passed in uninteresting conversation on the weather and
things in general, till every subject they can think of has been
exhausted, when Lippa finds that Dalrymple is looking at her, she
fiddles with her teaspoon in her cup and then raises her eyes to his,
and finding them still fixed on her, returns to the teaspoon symphony,
but he rises and leans against the mantelpiece.

'Philippa,' he says in a low tone, 'I have tried so hard to think badly
of you, but to-day you looked so kindly at me, you did not do it for
nothing, did you, Lippa tell me, will you bid me go away a second time?
I am not rich, but I might sell out and get some more remunerative
employment, and if you only knew how I love you--'

Miss Seaton has risen, her head bent down and slightly averted from her
lover's ardent gaze. 'I--er--I,' she begins then pauses, and not
knowing what to say she looks up, makes a step forward and is in Jimmy's
arms.

'Oh,' she says, 'I thought it would all come right at last.'

'Dearest,' says he, 'tell me why were you so cruel before; you can't
think what I've suffered?'

'So have I,' is the reply.

'But what made you do like that?'

'It's a long story, so don't you think we might as well sit--'

'Sweetheart,' is all he says pressing his lips to her brow.

And then Philippa explains all, for quite half-an-hour they remain
alone, and then George, thinking they have been long enough together
(he having come in and retired again unobserved in a very inauspicious
moment) opens the door, at the same time giving vent to a very loud and
prolonged cough.

CHAPTER X

'My dear, I can't tell you how glad I am,' and Lady Dadford bustles
across the room to the sofa where Mabel is reposing, 'Where is the sweet
girl?'

'Philippa? she is out now,' replies Mrs Seaton, 'but I expect she will
be in soon.'

'Well, if I may, I should like to stay and see her,' says the old lady,
'but you are sure I shall not be tiring you; directly you feel you have
had enough of me, say so, won't you?'

Mabel laughs and replies, 'I shall like you to stay very much, you have
not seen baby y