ly. She looked so happy and
unconscious sitting there in the firelight, and all the time if she
knew what had just happened over in Paris her heart would surely
break.

"Beast!" said June under her breath.

Esther turned.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"I was only talking to the pen," June answered irascibly.

CHAPTER XXIII

Micky turned up at Paddington the following morning laden with papers
and chocolates.

"Any one would think we were going to the other side of the world,"
June told him. "Do you know, my good man, that it's only a couple of
hours' run to Enmore?"

"Is it?" said Micky guilelessly. "Well, any way, I'm sure you won't be
able to get De Bry's chocolates down there, so they'll come in
useful." He looked at Esther. She was wearing the fur coat and a bunch
of violets.

"I think it's awfully exciting," she said, meeting his eyes. "We never
thought about going till quite late last night, did we, June?"

"Things done in a hurry are almost the most enjoyable," June answered
sententiously. "I'm quite bucked at the idea of living the simple life
for a few days."

"Pity you haven't got a car down there," Micky said. "There ought to
be some fine runs round about."

"So there are," said June promptly. Her queer eyes twinkled as she
looked at him. "Micky, would you like to be a perfect dear and come
down in yours, and take us out? You can stay at the local inn and play
the heavy swell----"

Micky flushed eagerly.

"That's a ripping idea," he said. He turned to Esther: "I'll come like
a shot if I shan't be in the way," he added.

Esther smiled; she was surprised to find that the idea was not at all
distasteful to her.

"Oh yes; do come!" she said.

June had got into the carriage, and was busy arranging her various
possessions.

"You'll be left behind, Esther," she said warningly.

Esther turned at once.

"Good-bye, Mr. Mellowes."

Micky took her hand in a hard grip.

"Good-bye--but only till to-morrow...."

He stood back as the train started; the last glimpse the two girls had
of him was his radiantly smiling face.

"Do you know," said June, settling herself in a corner, "I believe I'm
half in love with that man, after all. Isn't he just a dear?"

"He's awfully kind," Esther agreed.

* * * * *

When the train drew into the little station at Enmore June looked at
Esther with a sort of apprehension.

"It's a most awful one-eyed