peech, and the manner conveyed still more than the
words. The colour broke again over her face in a wavering flood, and her
eyes down-dropped under his ardent gaze. These things were noted by
several present, and conclusions rapidly drawn.

'You must not talk nonsense to me,' she said, recovering herself, and
speaking with her quaint, delightful dignity. 'Remember your promise at
Paris.'

'What promise? Did I make one?'

'You know you did,' she said reproachfully. 'We agreed to be friendly,
and between friends there should never be any foolish compliments.'

'Well, I can't keep faith; it's impossible to see you and remember any
such promise. Besides, it's sober truth,' he replied, growing bolder
still. 'Let me get you some tea. Isn't it rather lively here? Doesn't it
make you regret having buried yourself in the backwoods at the very
beginning of the season?'

'No; I don't care anything about the season,' replied Gladys truthfully.
'Yes, you may bring me some tea, if you don't stay talking after you
have brought it. How beautiful Clara is looking to-day.'

'Clara--yes; she's a handsome girl,' said George, regarding his cousin
with but a languid approval. She looked very handsome and stately in her
trained gown of brown velvet, with a touch of yellow at the throat, but
her expression was less bright than usual. The two who spoke of her at
the moment did not guess that they were responsible for the sudden
change from gay to grave in her demeanour.

'Oh, Gladys, we were coming down on Saturday, Len and I,' whispered Mina
at her elbow; 'but now you will stay, and that will do as well. How are
you supporting life down there just now? and how is that sweet little
oddity, Miss Caroline Peck?'

'If you call her an oddity, Mina, I cannot talk to you,' said Gladys,
with a laugh and a shake of the head. 'I am going home to-morrow. Could
Leonard and you not go down with me?'

'Going home to-morrow! Not if we know it. The people are just going
away, and we shall have a delightful cosy chat. Here's that tiresome
George; but _isn't_ he looking handsome? Really, one is proud to have
such a cousin.'

It was now half-past five, and the company began to disperse. In about
ten minutes there were no guests left but Gladys and the two cousins
from Pollokshields.

'Now I can talk to you, my dear child,' said Mrs. Fordyce. 'Why didn't
you let us know you were coming to town, and one of the girls, at least,
would have come to meet