hand. Before a word more could be said
between them they were silenced again by another interruption.

The whist-party comprised Lady Lundie and the surgeon, playing as
partners against Smith and Jones. Arnold sat behind the surgeon, taking
a lesson in the game. One, Two, and Three, thus left to their own
devices, naturally thought of the billiard-table; and, detecting
Geoffrey asleep in his corner, advanced to disturb his slumbers, under
the all-sufficing apology of "Pool." Geoffrey roused himself, and rubbed
his eyes, and said, drowsily, "All right." As he rose, he looked at
the opposite corner in which Sir Patrick and his niece were sitting.
Blanche's self-possession, resolutely as she struggled to preserve it,
was not strong enough to keep her eyes from turning toward Geoffrey with
an expression which betrayed the reluctant interest that she now felt in
him. He stopped, noticing something entirely new in the look with which
the young lady was regarding him.

"Beg your pardon," said Geoffrey. "Do you wish to speak to me?"

Blanche's face flushed all over. Her uncle came to the rescue.

"Miss Lundie and I hope you have slept well Mr. Delamayn," said Sir
Patrick, jocosely. "That's all."

"Oh? That's all?" said Geoffrey still looking at Blanche. "Beg your
pardon again. Deuced long walk, and deuced heavy dinner. Natural
consequence--a nap."

Sir Patrick eyed him closely. It was plain that he had been honestly
puzzled at finding himself an object of special attention on Blanche's
part. "See you in the billiard-room?" he said, carelessly, and followed
his companions out of the room--as usual, without waiting for an answer.

"Mind what you are about," said Sir Patrick to his niece. "That man is
quicker than he looks. We commit a serious mistake if we put him on his
guard at starting."

"It sha'n't happen again, uncle," said Blanche. "But think of _his_
being in Anne's confidence, and of _my_ being shut out of it!"

"In his friend's confidence, you mean, my dear; and (if we only avoid
awakening his suspicion) there is no knowing how soon he may say or do
something which may show us who his friend is."

"But he is going back to his brother's to-morrow--he said so at
dinner-time."

"So much the better. He will be out of the way of seeing strange things
in a certain young lady's face. His brother's house is within easy reach
of this; and I am his legal adviser. My experience tells me that he has
not done consulting