ables; and the
land is in better order, they say; and the gardens are kept nicely
now.'

'Does he live alone at the Priory?'

'Quite alone, papa.'

'He must find it rather a dull business, I should think.'

'Mr. Collingwood says he is very fond of study, and that he has a
wonderful collection of old books. He is a great smoker too, I
believe; he walks a good deal; and he hunted all last winter. They
say he is a tremendous rider.'

Augusta Darrell came in at this moment, ready for her ride. Her slim
willowy figure looked to great advantage in the plain tight-fitting
cloth habit; and the little felt hat with its bright scarlet feather
gave a coquettish expression to her face. She tapped her husband
lightly on the arm with her riding-whip.

'Now, William, if your are quite ready.'

'My dearest, I have been waiting for the last half-hour.'

They went off to their horses. Milly followed them to the terrace,
and watched them as they rode away.

We spent the morning out-of-doors sketching, with Julian Stormont in
attendance upon us. At two o'clock we all meet at luncheon.

After luncheon Milly and I went to the drawing-room, while Mrs.
Darrell and Mr. Stormont strolled upon the terrace. My dear girl had
a sort of restless manner to-day, and went from one occupation to
another, now sitting for a few minutes at the piano, playing brief
snatches of pensive melody, now taking up a book, only to throw it
down again with a little weary sigh. She seated herself at a table
presently, and began to arrange the sketches in her portfolio. While
she was doing this a servant announced Mr. Egerton. She rose
hurriedly, blushing as I had rarely seen her blush before, and
looking towards the open window near her, almost as if she would
have liked to make her escape from the room. It was the first time
Angus Egerton had been at Thornleigh Manor since she was a little
child.

'Tell papa that Mr. Egerton is here, Filby,' she said to the
servant. 'I think you will find him in the library.'

She had recovered her self-possession in some measure by the time
she came forward to shake hands with the visitor; and in a few
minutes we were talking in the usual easy friendly way.

'You see, I have lost no time in calling upon your papa, Miss
Darrell,' he said presently. 'I am not too proud to show him how
anxious I am to regain his friendship, if, indeed, I ever possessed
it.'

Mr. Darrell came into the room as he was speaking; and howe