ds than he had chosen to acknowledge.

She could not imagine in what way they were connected with his life, nor
why he should have been so averse to admitting his knowledge of them.
But there were many inexplicable circumstances associated with the man
who had chosen to live more or less the life of a recluse at Far End;
and Sara, and the little circle of intimates who had at last succeeded
in drawing him into their midst, had accustomed themselves to the
atmosphere of secrecy that seemed to envelope him.

From his obvious desire to eschew the society of his fellow men and
women, and from the acid cynicism of his outlook on things in general,
it had been gradually assumed amongst them that some happenings in the
past had marred his life, poisoning the springs of faith, and hope, and
charity at their very fount, and with the tact of real friendship they
never sought to discover what he so evidently wished concealed.

"Where is Molly to-day?" Miles's pleasant voice broke across the
awkward moment, giving yet a fresh trend to the conversation that was
languishing uncomfortably.

Sara's gaze ranged searchingly over the little groups of people
sprinkled about the lawn.

"Isn't she here yet?" she asked, startled. "She was coming back from
Oldhampton by the afternoon train, and promised to meet me here."

Miles looked at his watch.

"The attractions of Oldhampton have evidently proved too strong for
her," he said a little drily. "If she had come by the afternoon train,
she would have been here an hour ago."

Sara looked troubled.

"Oh, but she _must_ be here--somewhere," she insisted rather anxiously.

"Shall I see if I can find her for you?" suggested Trent stiffly.

Sara, sensing his wish to be gone and genuinely disturbed at Molly's
non-appearance, acquiesced.

"I should be very glad if you would," she answered. Then turning to
Miles, she went on: "I can't think where she can be. Somehow, Molly has
become rather--difficult, lately."

Herrick smiled.

"Don't look so distressed. It is only a little ebullition of _la
jeunesse_."

Sara turned to him swiftly.

"Then you've noticed it, too--that she is different?"

He nodded.

"Lookers-on see most of the game, you know. And I'm essentially a
looker-on." He bit back a quick sigh, and went on hastily: "But I don't
think you need worry about our Molly's vagaries. She's too sound _au
fond_ to get into real mischief."

"She wouldn't mean to," conceded Sara. "B