er
shoulders. "Have you seen him to-day?" she asked.

"No--I'm going to this evening."

"But you won't let him know what I've told you? promise me!"

"Is it likely that I should? Men don't gossip."

"Oh, don't they?" June answered tartly. "I wouldn't trust one of them,
not even you," she added with a melting smile.

In spite of her promise to Esther, it was past tea-time when she got
back home; she threw her hat and coat down anywhere and poked up the
fire.

"Haven't you had tea? What have you been doing all day?" she demanded
crisply. "You _haven't_ had tea!--Good gracious, I'll make some at
once; I had some with George, but I'm quite ready for some more. My
word! what a difference a man can make in one's life," she said,
suddenly grave. "And to think that I ever talked piffle about not
wanting to get married."

She bustled round the room singing blithely; she was brimful of
happiness. "You needn't be surprised to hear that I'm going to be
married quite soon," she said with elaborate carelessness. "Lord!
won't people have forty fits? Except for Micky, my crowd don't know
I'm engaged yet. I'm going to take George home to see them on Sunday.
I've discovered that he's fourth cousin, about ninety times removed,
to a baronet, so, perhaps, that will put them all in a good temper
with him. My people do love titles! Give them a lord, or something,
and it doesn't matter what else he is, or isn't.... You're not
listening, Esther."

"I am. I heard every word you said."

Esther was sitting by the fire with Charlie curled up in her lap; her
face looked very sad and thoughtful. So she was to lose June quite
soon!--her lips trembled; what was there left for her in all the
world? It almost seemed as if time had stood still for a moment, and
then suddenly rushed her back again with breathless speed, to leave
her bereft of hope and happiness, as she had been before she met
Micky.

Charlie had been her only friend then. Was he all that was to remain
to her now?

June watched her across the room.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked suddenly; but Esther only
shook her head.

* * * * *

For two days Micky Mellowes never left his rooms, and hardly ate a
thing, and for once in his life Driver permitted a spark of anxiety to
creep into his dull eyes. He was sure that his master was ill; he
tried tempting dishes and alluring cocktails, but Micky refused them
all.

"My good m