he gas
was lighted, and flickered in a sickly white fishtail flame, but the
fire was blazing cheerfully, giving a sheen to the silver-grey fur of
a child in a crimson plush hat who stood before it embracing a small
round basket out of which a Skye terrier's head was peering
inquisitively.

The firelight shone, too, on the graceful form of a girl, who was
bending towards it holding out her slender hands to the blaze. Mark
scarcely needed to glance at the face she turned towards the newcomers
to recognise that fortune had allowed him one more chance: Mr.
Humpage's visitors were evidently returning to town by the same train
as himself, and the old gentleman in person was standing with his back
to them examining a time-table on the wall.

Uncle Solomon, in his relief at Wilcox's information that morning, did
not perceive any awkwardness in the encounter, but moved about and
coughed noisily, as if anxious to attract his enemy's attention. Mark
felt considerably embarrassed, dreading a scene; but he glanced as
often as he dared at the lady of his thoughts, who was drawing on her
gloves again with a dainty deliberation.

'Godpapa,' said the little girl, suddenly, 'you never told me if Frisk
had been good. Has he?'

'So good that he kept me awake thinking of him all night,' said the
old gentleman drily, without turning.

'Did he howl, godpapa? He does sometimes when he's left out in the
garden, you know.'

'He did,' said Mr. Humpage. 'Oh, yes--he howled; he's a clever dog at
that.'

'And you really _like_ him to?' said Dolly. 'Some people don't.'

'Narrow-minded of 'em, very,' growled the old gentleman.

'Isn't it?' said Dolly, innocently. 'Well, I'm glad _you_ like it,
godpapa, because now I shall bring him to see you again. When there's
a moon he can howl much louder. I'll bring him when the next moon
comes, shall I?'

'We'll see, Chuckie, we'll see. I shouldn't like to keep him sitting
up all night to howl on my account; it wouldn't be good for his
health. But the very next blue moon we have down in these parts, I'll
send up for him--I promise you that.'

Dolly was evidently about to inquire searchingly into the nature of
this local phenomenon, but before she could begin the old gentleman
turned and saw that they were not alone.

'Mornin', Mr. 'Umpage,' said Uncle Solomon, clearing his throat; and
Mark felt a pang of regret for the lost aspirate.

'Good morning to you, sir,' said the other, distantly.

Th