tion. That's not the least
uncharitable, as you'd know if you knew Aunt Lilla. I think she must have
been born talking. But I love her all the same."

Trix tilted back her head and looked up at the sky through the branches
of the trees.

"I wonder why space is blue," she said, "and why it's so much bluer some
days than others, even when there aren't any clouds."

A step on the terrace behind her put an end to her wondering. Doctor
Hilary came round the corner of the house.

"I've taken your invitation for granted, Duchessa, as I happened to be
out this way," said he as he shook hands.

"Is old Mrs. Mosely still so ill?" asked Trix, sympathy in her voice.

Miss Tibbutt kept her eyes almost guiltily on her knitting. Pia, glancing
at her, laughed inwardly.

"She's better to-day," responded Doctor Hilary cheerfully. And then he
sat down. Trix had descended from the table, and seated herself in a
basket chair.

Dale brought out the tea in a few minutes, and put it on the table Trix
had vacated. The conversation was trivial and desultory, even more
trivial and desultory than most tea-time conversation. Miss Tibbutt was
too occupied with Pia's recent revelation to have much thought for
speech, Doctor Hilary was never a man of many words, the Duchessa had
been marvellously lacking in conversation of late, and Trix's occasional
remarks were mainly outspoken reflections on the sunshine and the
flowers, which required no particular response. Nevertheless she was
conscious of a certain flatness in her companions, and wondered vaguely
what had caused it.

"I'm going to Llandrindod Wells to-morrow," said she presently.

Doctor Hilary looked up quickly.

"Then your visit here has come to an end?" he queried.

Trix nodded.

"Alas, yes," she sighed, regret, half genuine, half mocking, in her
voice. "But most certainly I shall come down again if the Duchessa will
let me come. I had forgotten, absolutely forgotten, what a perfectly
heavenly place this was. And that doesn't in the least mean that I am
coming solely for the place, and not to see her, though I am aware it did
not sound entirely tactful."

"And when do you suppose you will be coming again?" asked Doctor Hilary
with a fine assumption of carelessness, not in the least lost upon the
Duchessa.

"Before Christmas I hope," replied she in Trix's stead. "Or, indeed, at
any time or moment she chooses."

Doctor Hilary looked thoughtful, grave. A little frown wrinkl