seemed unexplainable that none of her family ever
appeared, and things were allowed to go from bad to worse. As it was
understood that there was so much money people were mystified by the
condition of things."

"Anstruthers has had money to squander," said Mount Dunstan. "Tenham and
he were intimates. The money he spends is no doubt his wife's. As her
family deserted her she has no one to defend her."

"Certainly her family has seemed to neglect her for years. Perhaps
they were disappointed in his position. Many Americans are extremely
ambitious. These international marriages are often singular things.
Now--apparently without having been expected--the sister appears.
Vanderpoel is the name--Miss Vanderpoel."

"I crossed the Atlantic with her in the Meridiana," said Mount Dunstan.

"Indeed! That is interesting. You did not, of course, know that she was
coming here."

"I knew nothing of her but that she was a saloon passenger with a suite
of staterooms, and I was in the second cabin. Nothing? That is not quite
true, perhaps. Stewards and passengers gossip, and one cannot close
one's ears. Of course one heard constant reiteration of the number of
millions her father possessed, and the number of cabins she managed to
occupy. During the confusion and alarm of the collision, we spoke to
each other."

He did not mention the other occasion on which he had seen her. There
seemed, on the whole, no special reason why he should.

"Then you would recognise her, if you saw her. I heard to-day that she
seems an unusual young woman, and has beauty."

"Her eyes and lashes are remarkable. She is tall. The Americans are
setting up a new type."

"Yes, they used to send over slender, fragile little women. Lady
Anstruthers was the type. I confess to an interest in the sister."

"Why?"

"She has made a curious impression. She has begun to do things. Stornham
village has lost its breath." He laughed a little. "She has been going
over the place and discussing repairs."

Mount Dunstan laughed also. He remembered what she had said. And she had
actually begun.

"That is practical," he commented.

"It is really interesting. Why should a young woman turn her
attention to repairs? If it had been her father--the omnipotent Mr.
Vanderpoel--who had appeared, one would not have wondered at such
practical activity. But a young lady--with remarkable eyelashes!"

His elbows were on the arm of his chair, and he had placed the tips
of his