this connection," she
said proudly. And getting up, she began to gather her papers together.

The spell was broken, the charm gone. He felt that he was dismissed.

With a new formality and silence, she led the way into the hall, he
following. As they neared the library there was a sound of voices.

Marcella opened the door in surprise, and there, on either side of the
fire, sat Betty Macdonald and Frank Leven.

"_That's_ a mercy!" cried Betty, running forward to Marcella and kissing
her. "I really don't know what would have happened if Mr. Leven and I
had been left alone any longer. As for the Kilkenny cats, my dear, don't
mention them!"

The child was flushed and agitated, and there was an angry light in her
blue eyes. Frank looked simply lumpish and miserable.

"Yes, here I am," said Betty, holding Marcella, and chattering as fast
as possible. "I made Miss Raeburn bring me over, that I might _just_
catch a sight of you. She would walk home, and leave the carriage for
me. Isn't it like all the topsy-turvy things nowadays? When _I'm_ her
age I suppose I shall have gone back to dolls. Please to look at those
ponies!--they're pawing your gravel to bits. And as for my watch, just
inspect it!"--She thrust it reproachfully under Marcella's eyes. "You've
been such a time in there talking, that Sir Frank and I have had time to
quarrel for life, and there isn't a minute left for anything rational.
Oh! good-bye, my dear, good-bye. I never kept Miss Raeburn waiting for
lunch yet, did I, Mr. Aldous? and I mustn't begin now. Come along, Mr.
Aldous! You'll have to come home with me. I'm frightened to death of
those ponies. You shan't drive, but if they bolt, I'll give them to you
to pull in. Dear, _dear_ Marcella, let me come again--soon--directly!"

A few more sallies and kisses, a few more angry looks at Frank and
appeals to Aldous, who was much less responsive than usual, and the
child was seated, very erect and rosy, on the driving seat of the little
pony-carriage, with Aldous beside her.

"Are you coming, Frank?" said Aldous; "there's plenty of room."

His strong brow had a pucker of annoyance. As he spoke he looked, not at
Frank, but at Marcella. She was standing a trifle back, among the
shadows of the doorway, and her attitude conveyed to him an impression
of proud aloofness. A sigh that was half pain, half resignation, passed
his lips unconsciously.

"Thank you, I'll walk," said Frank, fiercely.

* *