cheek had a hectic tinge, the voice was feebler. Hammond was reminded of
a falcon or an eagle pining and wasting in a cage.

'I am very glad to see you, Mr. Hammond,' said Lady Maulevrier, giving
him her hand, and addressing him with unwonted cordiality. 'It was a
happy thought that brought you and Maulevrier here. When an old woman is
as near the grave as I am her relatives ought to look after her. I shall
be glad to have a little private conversation with you to-morrow, Mr.
Hammond, if you can spare me a few minutes.'

'As many hours, if your ladyship pleases,' said Hammond. 'My time is
entirely at your service.'

'Oh, no, you will want to be roaming about the hills with Mary,
discussing your plans for the future. I shall not encroach too much on
your time. But I am very glad you are here.'

'We shall only trespass on you for a few days,' said Maulevrier, 'just a
flying visit.'

'How is it that you are not both at Henley?' asked Mary. 'I thought all
the world was at Henley.'

'Who is Henley? what is Henley?' demanded Maulevrier, pretending
ignorance.

'I believe Maulevrier has lost so much money backing, his college boat
on previous occasions that he is glad to run away from the regatta this
year,' said Hammond.

'I have a sister there,' replied his friend. 'That's an all-sufficient
explanation. When a fellow's women-kind take to going to races and
regattas it is high time for _him_ to stop away.'

'Have you seen Lesbia lately?' asked his grandmother.

'About ten days ago.'

'And did she seem happy?'

Maulevrier shrugged his shoulders.

'She was vacillating between the refusal or the acceptance of a million
of money and four or five fine houses. I don't know whether that
condition of mind means happiness. I should call it an intermediate
state.'

'Why do you make silly jokes about serious questions? Do you think
Lesbia means to accept this Mr. Smithson?'

'All London thinks so.'

'And is he a good man?'

'Good for a hundred thousand pounds at half an hour's notice.'

'Is he worthy of your sister?'

Maulevrier paused, looked at his grandmother with a curious expression,
and then replied--

'I think he is--quite.'

'Then I am content that she should marry him,' said Lady Maulevrier,
'although he is a nobody.'

'Oh, but he is a very important nobody, a nobody who can get a peerage
next year, backed by the Maulevrier influence, which I suppose would
count for something.'

'Most of my frie