lay. And now, of course, we must ask Mr. Blake.'

'Oh yes, I suppose so.' Audrey spoke with studied indifference. 'It is a
pity you are engaged'--turning to her sister--'for we shall have quite a
large party.'

'Yes, I am thoroughly vexed about it,' returned Geraldine, 'for Mrs.
Charrington is coming too. I wish Mrs. Sheppard would not always fix
Monday;' and then, after a little more talk about the arrangements for
the tennis-party, she took her leave--Audrey, as usual, accompanying her
to the gate.

'I suppose Michael will be back for it?' was her parting question.

Audrey supposed so too, but she was not quite certain of Michael's
movements. He had said something about his intention of coming back on
Monday, but he might alter his mind before that. Michael had not seemed
quite like himself the day before he went to town; she was sure
something had harassed him. Geraldine hoped fervently that this was not
the case; she never liked dear old Michael to be troubled about
anything. And then the two sisters kissed each other very
affectionately. Audrey always forgave Geraldine her little vexing
proprieties and tiresome habit of managing everyone when she felt her
loving kiss on her cheek.

'After all, there are only we two,' she thought, as she walked back to
the house. 'I must not magnify Gage's little faults, for she is a dear
woman.'

And Geraldine's thoughts were quite as affectionate.

'I hope I have not vexed her too much about this new _protegee_ of
hers,' she said to herself, 'but one cannot pretend to like a person.
Audrey is a darling, and I would not hurt her for the world. After all,
she is a much better Christian than I am;' and then she had a long,
comfortable talk with her husband, in which she indemnified herself for
any previous restraint.

'It is so nice to be able to tell you everything, Percy dear!' she
exclaimed, as the dressing gong warned her to close the conversation.

'That is the good of having a husband,' he replied, as he put his books
together and prepared to follow her.

Michael did not return in time for the tennis-party, but Audrey could
only give him a regretful thought--so many people were coming that her
hands were quite full. She was busy until luncheon time, and Geraldine
good-naturedly came down from Hillside to offer her help, and had to
submit to an anxious lecture from her mother on her imprudence in coming
out in the heat. Audrey had scarcely time to change her dress be