an is usual in the converse of friends. She was smiling
into his face in her sweetest, most winsome manner, but he did not look
happy. His face wore the same troubled, fighting expression which his
sister had noticed on the evening of her arrival in London.

Hector's complacent serenity stood out in soothing relief at once from
Arthur's strain and Rob's moody silence, for moody Rob looked indeed,
with his closed lips and heavy brows. A vivid remembrance flashed into
Peggy's mind of a schoolboy, raising his head from a microscope and
scowling darkly at some unhappy wight who had incurred his displeasure,
and with the remembrance a wild longing to be a school-girl again, in
short frocks and pigtail, a scrap of a school-girl who could swing
herself on to the table to pinch his arm, or mimic each gesture as it
came, pulling her own sleek locks into an imitation of his shaggy crop,
and scowling so darkly that, against his will, he was forced into
laughter. Many a time in the days gone by had she smoothed the "black
dog" off Rob's back in some such fashion; but now the age of propriety
had dawned, and it was not permitted to take such liberties.

"I'm a lady growed, and I'll act according," said Peggy to herself; "but
dear, dear me, what a handicap it is! He would enjoy it so much, and so
should I. Well, at least I can say I want to go upstairs, and then we
can have another nice talk. I haven't said half or a quarter of what is
in my mind."

She rose from her seat, turning towards Rob to claim his escort; but
before she had time to speak, Hector's arm was thrust forward, and
Hector's voice protested eagerly:

"Let me take you. I have so much to tell you yet. Take my arm, and let
me pilot you through the crowd."

Peggy stood hesitating and uncertain between the two tall brothers.

"But--" she began feebly, and then looked at Rob, waiting for him to
finish the sentence.

So far Rob had made no protest, but the moment he met that glance, there
came a sudden flash to the eye, a straightening to the back, which made
a startling transformation in the aspect of the dreamy student.

As he stood thus, he was as tall as Hector himself; the rugged strength
of his face made him an even more imposing figure.

"But Peggy came down with me," he said firmly, "and it is my place to
take her back."

"Nonsense, my dear boy. You have had your talk. It's my turn now.
Peggy and I have a great many things to say to each other,