nestly, I do," he said at last. "Well, and what of that?"

"Well, Dick, are you blind? Van's making all the play that he can, and
father and aunt favour him. He's there nearly every day. He's there
now."

Trevor gave a start, and turned round to face his friend, his lips
twitching and fingers working; but he burst out laughing the next
moment.

"Anything else, Franky?"

"Laugh away," said Pratt, who looked nettled--"only give me credit for
my warning when you find I am right."

"That I will," said Trevor. "Now then, go on! What's the next plot
against my peace of mind?"

"Suppose I ask you a question or two!"

"All right--go on!"

"Have you noticed anything wrong with Humphrey?"

"Been precious sulky lately."

"Sulky! The fellow's looked daggers at you, and has barely answered you
civilly."

"Well, he has been queer, certainly."

"Why is it?" said Pratt.

"Bilious--out of order--how should I know?"

"The poor fellow's in love!"

"Poor Strephon," said Trevor, idly.

"And he sees a powerful rival in the path," continued Pratt.

"The deuce he does!" said Trevor, laughing. "Is that Van, too? But
hang it, Frank!" he cried, starting up, "seriously, I won't stand any
nonsense of that kind. If Van's been making love to that little lass,
I'll put a stop to it. Why, now I think of it, I did see him looking at
her!"

"No!" said Pratt, quietly. "It isn't Van--he's too busy at Tolcarne!"

"Silence, croaker!" cried, Trevor, laughing in a constrained fashion.
"But, come--who is the powerful rival?"

"Dick, old fellow, I'm one of those, and no humbug, who have a habit of
trying to ferret out other people's motives."

"Don't preach, Franky. Is it Flick? because if it is, the girl's
laughing at him."

"No," said Pratt; "it isn't Flick."

"Then who the deuce is it?"

"You!"

Trevor burst into a hearty laugh.

"Why, Frank!" he exclaimed, "if ever there was a mare's-nesting old
humbug, it's you. Why, whatever put that in your head?"

Pratt sat looking at him in silence for a few moments.

"Dick," he said, "if ever there was a deliciously unsuspicious, trusting
fellow, you are he."

"Never mind about that," said Trevor. "I want to get this silly notion
out of your head."

"And I want to get it into yours."

"Well, we'll both try," said Trevor. "You begin: I'll settle you
after."

"To begin, then," said Pratt. "You've several times met that girl in
the lane yonder."

"Yes; now y