icate
ticking; the next, the sound was gone, nor could his closest hearkening
recapture it. He laughed at himself; but still the gloom continued; and
it was with more than the common relief of an arrival, that he leaped
from the cab before the station.

Probably enough on purpose, Teresa had named an hour some thirty minutes
earlier than needful; and when Harry had given the box into the charge
of a porter, who set it on a truck, he proceeded briskly to pace the
platform. Presently the bookstall opened; and the young man was looking
at the books when he was seized by the arm. He turned and, though she
was closely veiled, at once recognised the Fair Cuban.

"Where is it?" she asked; and the sound of her voice surprised him.

"It?" he said. "What?"

"The box. Have it put on a cab instantly. I am in fearful haste."

He hurried to obey, marvelling at these changes, but not daring to
trouble her with questions; and when the cab had been brought round, and
the box mounted on the front, she passed a little way off upon the
pavement and beckoned him to follow.

"Now," said she, still in those mechanical and hushed tones that had at
first affected him, "you must go on to Holyhead alone; go on board the
steamer; and if you see a man in tartan trousers and a pink scarf, say
to him that all has been put off: if not," she added, with a sobbing
sigh, "it does not matter. So, good-bye."

"Teresa," said Harry, "get into your cab, and I will go along with you.
You are in some distress, perhaps some danger; and till I know the
whole, not even you can make me leave you."

"You will not?" she asked. "Oh, Harry, it were better!"

"I will not," said Harry stoutly.

She looked at him for a moment through her veil; took his hand suddenly
and sharply, but more as if in fear than tenderness; and, still holding
him, walked to the cab-door.

"Where are we to drive?" asked Harry.

"Home, quickly," she answered; "double fare!" And as soon as they had
both mounted to their places, the vehicle crazily trundled from the
station.

Teresa leaned back in a corner. The whole way Harry could perceive her
tears to flow under her veil; but she vouchsafed no explanation. At the
door of the house in Queen Square, both alighted; and the cabman lowered
the box, which Harry, glad to display his strength, received upon his
shoulders.

"Let the man take it," she whispered. "Let the man take it."

"I will do no such thing," said Harry cheerfully; a