u are rather nicer to look at!"

"I sha'n't know how much of a compliment that is till I see the other
nurse," replied Esther, laughing too.

"You will think me very stupid," resumed the old lady after a slight
pause, her face grown grave again, "but for weeks past, even before
this happened, I've had such an odd sense of insecurity, a presentiment
of trouble. I'm not given to feelings of that kind, which makes this
one more noticeable. I can't explain it, but there it is--a kind of
foreboding that I can't shake off."

"You shouldn't feel it now that your brother is going on so well."

"No, of course not, but I'm afraid I do."

"I expect you are tired and run down. That causes lots of
premonitions."

"Yes, no doubt you're right. Was that the bell?" she asked, breaking
off and listening alertly. "For two days I've been looking for a cable
from my nephew. I sent him one nearly three days ago, but there has
been no reply. That's one thing that's worrying me."

"Is that Sir Charles's son?"

"Yes. He has been in America on business since October. I sent the
cable to Chicago, which was the last address we had, but he has
probably moved about a good deal since then. I wish he were here!"

There was a knock and the butler entered with the blue form of a
_depeche_ in his hand.

"Ah, here it is at last! This surely must be from Mr. Roger, Chalmers."

She took the telegram eagerly and tore it open, reading its contents
with an expression of mingled joy and amazement.

"This is odd. It is sent from Cherbourg and says simply, 'Shall be
with you Friday morning.' Friday! That's to-morrow. Why, he has
arrived in France, and is catching the night train from Paris. That is
a surprise, isn't it, Chalmers?"

"And miss, if you'll notice, it's addressed to Sir Charles, not to
yourself."

"Is it? You are right, Chalmers. That looks as though he'd never got
our cable, doesn't it? I suppose he couldn't if he was already on the
water."

"Unless," suggested Esther, "they had sent it on by wireless to the
boat."

"Of course, I didn't think of that. Anyhow, it doesn't matter now that
he will be here so soon. He must have wanted to surprise us. We
didn't expect him for another two months."

She turned briskly to the butler.

"Get the corner room ready, Chalmers. What a good thing we put the
doctor at the back! And tell her ladyship we're expecting Mr.
Roger--or no, I'll see to that myself."

"Very go