for a
moment as if perplexed, and then burst into laughter.

"I see! I see!" he said. "It's a doctor you want. I must send Conrad to
put a sight on you. It'll be all right, gel, it'll be all right! Your
mother was like that when you were coming."

As we returned to the hall Betsy Beauty whispered that she was surprised
Mr. Eastcliff had married, but she heard from Madame that we were to
have a house-party soon, and she hoped I would not forget her.

Then Aunt Bridget, who had been eyeing Alma darkly, asked me who and
what she was and where she came from, whereupon I (trying to put the
best face on things) explained that she was the daughter of a rich New
York banker. After that Aunt Bridget's countenance cleared perceptibly
and she said:

"Ah, yes, of course! I thought she had a quality toss with her."

The two motor-cars had been drawn up to the door, and the two parties
had taken their seats in them when my father, looking about him, said to
my husband:

"Your garden is as rough as a thornbush, son-in-law. I must send Tommy
the Mate to smarten it up a bit. So long! So long!"

At the next moment they were gone, and I was looking longingly after
them. God knows my father's house had never been more than a
stepmother's home to me, but at that moment I yearned to return to it
and felt like a child who was being left behind at school.

What had I gained, by running away from London? Nothing at all. Already
I knew I had brought my hopeless passion with me.

And now I was alone.

FIFTY-SEVENTH CHAPTER

Next day Lady Margaret came to my room to say good-bye, telling me she
had only stayed at Castle Raa to keep house and make ready for me, and
must now return to her own home, which was in London.

I was sorry, for my heart had warmed to her, and when I stood at the
door and saw her drive off with my husband to catch the afternoon
steamer, I felt I had lost both sympathy and protection.

Alma's feelings were less troubled, and as we turned back into the house
I could see that she was saying to herself:

"Thank goodness, _she's_ gone away."

A day or two later Doctor Conrad came, according to my father's
instructions, and I was glad to see his close-cropped iron-grey head
coming up the stairs towards my room.

Naturally our first conversation was about Martin, who had written to
tell his parents of our meeting in London and to announce his intended
visit. It was all very exciting, and now his mother w