ou must have quite a talent for guessing."

"Not in a general way; but there is a fitness in things. Yes, I felt sure
that this was your house."

"I am glad you like it," she answered simply. "Uncle George and I are
very fond of it. But it must seem a poor little place to you after
Lidford House."

"Lidford House is spacious, and comfortable, and commonplace. One could
hardly associate the faintest touch of romance with such a place. But
about this one might fancy anything. Ah, here is your uncle, I see."

Captain Sedgewick came towards them, surprised at seeing Mr. Fenton, with
whom he shook hands again very cordially, and who repeated his story
about the impossibility of enduring to stop in the house on such a night.

The Captain insisted on his going in-doors with them, however; and he
exhibited no disinclination to linger in the cottage drawing-room, though
it was only about a fourth of the size of that at Lidford House. It
looked a very pretty room in the lamplight, with quaint old-fashioned
furniture, the freshest and most delicate chintz hangings and coverings
of chairs and sofas, and some valuable old china here and there.

Captain Sedgewick had plenty to say for himself, and was pleased to find
an intelligent stranger to converse with. His health had failed him long
ago, and he had turned his back upon the world of action for ever; but he
was as cheerful and hopeful as if his existence had been the gayest
possible to man.

Of course they talked a little of military matters, the changes that had
come about in the service--none of them changes for the better, according
to the Captain, who was a little behind the times in his way of looking
at these things.

He ordered in a bottle of claret for his guest, and Gilbert Fenton found
himself seated by the open bow-window looking out at the dusky lawn and
drinking his wine, as much at home as if he had been a visitor at the
Captain's for the last ten years. Marian Nowell sat on the other side of
the room, with the lamplight shining on her dark-brown hair, and with
that much-to-be-envied Skye terrier on her lap. Gilbert glanced across at
her every now and then while he was talking with her uncle; and by and by
she came over to the window and stood behind the Captain's chair, with
her clasped hands resting upon his shoulder.

Gilbert contrived to engage her in the conversation presently. He found
her quite able to discuss the airy topics which he started--the la