ou _are_ going to Eastham?--to the Tresham's?" It was a
cry of incredulous pain.

"How _can_ I get out of it, dear Oliver? Evelyn has been _so_ ill!--and
she's been depending on me--and I owe her so much. You know how good she
was to me in the Season."

He lifted himself again on his cushions, surveying her ironically--his
eyes sunken and weak--his aspect ghastly.

"Well, how long do you mean to stay? Is Lord Philip going to be there?"

"What do I care whether he is or not!"

"You said you were longing to know him."

"That was before you were ill."

"I don't see any logic in that remark." He lay looking at her. Then
suddenly he put out an arm, pulled her down to him feebly, and kissed
her. But the movement hurt him. He turned away with some broken
words--or, rather, moans--stifled against his pillows.

"Dear, do lie still. Shall I read to you?"

He shook his head.

"Don't stay with me. I shall be better after dinner."

She rose obediently, touched him caressingly with her hand, drew a light
shawl over him, and stole away.

* * * * *

When she reached her own room she stood a moment, frowning and absorbed;
beside the open window. Then some one knocked at her door. It was her
maid, who came in carrying a large light box.

Alicia flew toward her.

"From Cosette! Heavens! Oh, Benson, quick! Put it down. I'll help you."

The maid obeyed, and ran to the dressing-table for scissors. Cords and
tapes were soon cut in the hurry of unpacking, and from the crackling
tissue-paper there emerged an evening gown of some fresh snowy stuff,
delicately painted and embroidered, which drew from the maid little
shrieks of admiration.

Alicia looked at it more critically.

"The lace is not good enough," she said, twisting her lip, "and I shall
make her give me some more embroidery than that on the bodice--for the
money--I can tell her! However, it is pretty--much prettier, isn't it,
Benson, than that gown of Lady Evelyn's I took it from? She'll be
jealous!" The girl laughed triumphantly. "Well, now, look here, Benson,
we're going on Saturday, and I want to look through my gowns. Get them
out, and I'll see if there's anything I can send home."

The maid's face fell.

"I packed some of them this morning, miss--in the large American trunk.
I thought they'd keep better there than anywhere. It took a lot
of time."

"Oh, never mind. You can easily pack them again. I really must go
through t