better than it did,' he returned quietly; but he
could not quite meet her affectionate look. 'I shall have to run up
there pretty frequently now; one must look up one's friends more: out of
sight is out of mind in many cases.'

Audrey gave an incredulous smile. She thought Michael would not act up
to this resolution; but he fully meant what he said. Woodcote, dearly as
he loved it, would never be his home now. Of course, he would do things
by degrees: his brief absences should grow longer and more frequent,
until they had become used to them; and perhaps in time he might break
with his old life altogether. But he put away these thoughts, and talked
to them in his usual easy fashion, asking questions about Geraldine and
her husband; and presently Dr. Ross came in and monopolised him
entirely.

Audrey felt as though she had not had a word with him when she went
upstairs to dress for dinner. True, he had asked after Cyril, and
inquired if he were coming in that evening; but on Audrey's replying in
the negative he had made no observation.

'When father is in the room he never will let Michael talk to anyone
else,' she said to herself rather discontentedly; 'if I could only get
him alone!'

She had her wish presently, for on her return to the drawing-room she
found him lying back in an easy-chair, looking at the fire. He was
evidently thinking intently, for he did not hear her entrance until she
was close beside him; but at the touch of her hand on his shoulder he
started violently.

'A penny for your thoughts, Michael,' she said gaily, as he jumped up
and stood beside her on the rug.

'They are too valuable to be saleable,' he returned lightly; 'suppose
you let me hear yours instead.'

'You shall have them and welcome. Oh, Michael, how delicious it is to be
talking to you again; letters are so stupid and unsatisfactory!'

'Do you mean my letters in particular?'

'Oh no! They were as nice as possible; but, all the same, they did not
quite satisfy me. Do you know,' and here her tone was a little wistful,
'you have not told me that you are glad about my engagement? You said so
many nice things; but somehow I was longing for just one word of
approval from my old Mentor.'

An uneasy flush crossed Michael's face; but the firelight was flickering
just then, and Audrey could not see him distinctly. For one moment he
was silent; then he put her gently in a seat and placed himself beside
her. It would be easier to talk t