rton, "I could hardly refuse; begged us to take pity on his
loneliness, and so on--and I'm feeling rather better to-day."

Meg decided that the tide of fate was too strong for her, she must just
drift with it.

It was a most pleasant lunch, save for one incident. Lady Penelope
Pottinger and her husband, accompanied by Lottie Trent and a man, were
lunching at another table.

Lady Penelope's party came in late. Miles and his guests had already
arrived at coffee when they appeared.

They had to pass Miles' table, and Lady Penelope stopped; so did her
husband. She shook hands with Meg. Miss Trent passed by with her nose in
the air.

Miles presented his relations to the Major and they passed on.

The Major was quite pleased and rather flattered. He had no idea that
the tall young woman with Lady Penelope had deliberately cut his host.
But Meg knew just why she had done it.

After lunch Miles very properly effaced himself, but made a point of
asking the Major if he might act as Miss Morton's escort on the journey
back to Amber Guiting.

The Major graciously accompanied Meg while she did the rest of her
shopping, and in the promenade they met the Pottinger party again.

The 4.55 was crowded. Miles collected Meg's parcels and suggested to the
Major that it would be less tiring for his daughter if they returned
first-class. Should he change the tickets?

The Major thought it a sensible proposition, especially with all those
parcels. Meg would pay Captain Middleton the difference.

Again an amiable porter secured them an empty carriage. The parcels
spread themselves luxuriously upon the unoccupied seats. The Major
kissed his daughter and gave her his benediction, shaking hands quite
warmly with her "pleasant young friend."

The 4.55 runs right up to the junction without a stop. Meg took off her
best hat and placed it carefully in the rack. She leaned her bewildered
head against the cushions and closed her eyes. She would drift with the
tide just a few minutes more, and then----

Miles put a box of groceries for Lady Mary under her feet. She smiled
faintly, but did not speak.

Presently she opened her eyes to find him regarding her with that
expression she had surprised once or twice before, and never understood.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Only pleasantly. I think I've only travelled first-class about five
times in my life before--and then it was with Mr. Ross."

"And now it's with me, and I hope it's the first of