able life, with every whim gratified. "To be so young and
attractive and actually buried alive! Don't you think she is a dream,
Arabella?"

"I was greatly impressed with her distinction and charm," Miss Clinker
said. "I wish we could do something for her to make things brighter."

"Let us ask Cis--" and then Miss Lutworth paused, returning to her first
thought--she knew her hostess well. No, it could not bring any pleasure
into the life of this slender, lithe English lady with the wonderful
Greek name, to be made acquainted with Cecilia Cricklander, who would
tear her to pieces without compunction the moment she understood in what
direction John Derringham's eyes would probably be cast. He saw Cora's
hesitation and understood, and was grateful.

"I believe this girl is trumps. I don't think she will even mention our
meeting," he said to himself.

Now for a few steps Miss Lutworth drew Arabella Clinker on ahead.

"Arabella, you dear," she whispered, "I don't want to say a word against
Cis--who, of course, is all right--but I have a feeling we won't tell
her we've met this dryad of a Halcyone La Sarthe. Have you got that
instinct, too?"

"Quite strongly," said Arabella, who never wasted words. "I was going to
mention to you the same idea myself."

"Then that is understood!" and she laughed her happy laugh. "I'll see
that Freynie doesn't peach!"

Thus it was that four demure and healthful-looking beings joined the
party on the terrace of Wendover, and described their pleasant walk,
without one word spoken of their _rencontre_ with the youngest Miss La
Sarthe. And once or twice Cora Lutworth's mischievous eyes met those of
John Derringham, and they both laughed.

CHAPTER XVI

John Derringham made a point of slipping away on the Easter Tuesday
afternoon; he determined to drink tea with the Misses La Sarthe. He went
to his room with important letters to write, and then sneaked down again
like a truant schoolboy, and when he got safely out of sight, struck
obliquely across the park to the one vulnerable spot in the haw-haw, and
after fumbling a good deal, from his side, managed to get the spikes out
and to climb down, and repeat the operation upon the other side. There
was no water here, it was on rather higher ground, and he was soon
striding up the beech avenue towards the house.

"It would be an extremely awkward place to get over in the dark," he
thought, and then he was conscious that Halcyone was far