ington, is she not, Gage?'

'Yes; a step-niece, or something of that sort; not a very near
relationship, but they are very intimate. She says her brother is
expected in Portland Place to-morrow or the day after.' Here Audrey gave
a start. 'Take care, my dear: the urn is running over; you are filling
the teapot too full. Shall I ring for Crauford? No? Well, as I was
saying'--rather absently, for her eyes were still following the thin
stream on the tea-tray that Audrey was hurriedly wiping up--'Master Dick
is expected back--and here Dora was a trifle mysterious; and then it
came out that he was engaged--had been engaged for the last eight
months; only the mother of his lady-love had turned restive. But now
things were smoother, and she hoped that they would soon be married.
Poor Michael! I am afraid he has not had a very cheerful companion all
these months.'

'Did Miss Abercrombie mention Michael?' asked Audrey, speaking with
manifest effort. How tiresome Gage was! as though anyone wanted to hear
about Dick Abercrombie's love affairs!

'Oh dear yes! and that is the worst part of all,' returned Geraldine,
with the zest that is always shown by the bearer of bad news, even by a
superior person like young Mrs. Harcourt. 'I had no idea Michael would
play truant for so long: actually she says her brother is coming home
without him! and he is going to spend the summer and autumn in Greece
and the Holy Land, and perhaps winter in Algiers. In fact, Dick
Abercrombie says he does not know when he means to come back.'

'What is that you say, my dear?' asked Dr. Ross, who entered the room in
time to hear the last clause. 'Were you speaking of Michael?'

'Yes, father dear.' And Geraldine willingly recapitulated the whole of
her speech for his benefit. 'And I do wish someone would write and give
him a good scolding for staying away so long, as though no one wanted
him! And we have all been missing him so badly!'

'By the bye, that reminds me that I was called away just now to speak to
Fergusson, and I have actually left my letter to Michael open on my
study-table; and I meant it to go by this post. Do you mind just
slipping it into its envelope, Audrey?--it is already directed. Thank
you, my dear,' as Audrey silently left the room.

Was Dr. Ross really anxious about his letter, or had he noticed the
white look on his daughter's face, and feared that others might notice
it too?

Audrey never knew how long she sat before her fath