down in this part of the world. Well, and how do you like
Enmore?"

"It's very quiet, but I like it for a change, and June's aunt is ever
so kind."

"Yes, a dear old lady; I know her well. Did you tell her I was
coming?"

"June did...."

His eyes swept her face anxiously. No trace of tears or sadness
to-day, at all events.

"Are we supposed to go straight home?" he asked after a moment.
"Because, if not, what do you say to a run round first?"

Esther's eyes sparkled.

"I should love it!" She got in beside him, and the car started away.

"I only brought the two-seater," Micky explained audaciously. "I hate
a crowd. This will take three at a pinch, but it's much more
comfortable for two."

"It's lovely!" Esther agreed.

She leaned back luxuriously.

"It must be splendid to be able to have a car like this of your very
own," she said suddenly.

Micky laughed rather ruefully.

"There are other things I would far rather have," he said.

"Are there?" She looked up at him innocently. "What things?" she
asked.

Micky's hands tightened over the wheel.

"Am I really to answer that question?" he asked.

"No," said Esther hurriedly.

She could not think why she had been so stupid as to say such a thing.
She felt very vexed.

They went some way in silence. Esther glanced at the man beside her
timidly.

Would he end up by some day marrying June? she wondered. Lucky June,
if he did--lucky ... she checked the thought with a little sense of
shame. Only a few days ago she had declared that she disliked him.
Perhaps it was the car that made her feel so suddenly envious of the
woman who would one day be this man's wife.

Micky glanced down at her.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"I am a little"--she smiled up at him--"in spite of my new coat," she
said. "I think we had better go home."

June came to the door to meet them.

"I got home earlier than I thought," she told Esther. "Well, Micky?"

"Are there any letters?" Esther asked. She felt a swift feeling of
envy as she looked at these two, so openly and unfeignedly glad to see
one another. "I suppose it's expecting too much though," she added
with a sigh.

June did not answer, and Esther went on and up the stairs.

"There is one for her," June said in an undertone to Micky as soon as
she had gone. "And one from Paris, too--from that man! Micky, are you
sure it isn't all a mistake about him being married?"

"Sure," said Micky stolidly.

"Then shall I--