ested an obstinate determination to talk, he would argue with
her in the same playful fashion; but she could never draw him into one
of their old confidential talks.

But when they were all together of an evening, Michael would be more
like his old self. He would sit beside the piano when she sang, and turn
over the leaves for her, or he would coax her to be his partner in a
game of whist, and lecture her in his old fashion; but all the time he
would be looking at her so kindly that his lectures never troubled her
in the least.

But when Cyril spent the evening at Woodcote, which was generally once
or twice a week, Michael never seemed to think that they wanted him: he
would bury himself in his book or paper, or challenge Dr. Ross to a game
of chess. He never took any notice of Audrey's appealing looks, and her
kindly attempts to draw him into conversation with her and Cyril were
all disregarded.

Audrey bore this for some time, and then she made up her mind that she
must speak to him. She was a little shy of approaching the
subject--Michael never seemed to give her any opening now--but she felt
she must have it out with him.

One evening, when she and Cyril had exchanged their parting words in the
hall, she went back to the drawing-room and found Michael standing alone
before the fire. She went up to him at once, but as he turned to her she
was struck with his air of weariness and depression.

'Oh, Michael, how tired you look!' she observed, laying her hand on his
arm. 'Have you neuralgia again?' And as he shook his head, she continued
anxiously: 'Are you sure you are quite well--that nothing is troubling
you? You have been so very quiet this evening. Michael'--and here she
blushed a little--'I want to say something to you, and yet I hardly know
how to put it--it is just like your thoughtfulness--but, indeed, there
is no need: you are never in the way.'

'Is this an enigma? If so, I may as well tell you I give it up at once.
I never could guess conundrums;' and Michael twirled his moustache in a
most provoking way; but, all the same, he perfectly understood her. 'I
give it up,' he repeated.

Audrey pretended to frown.

'Michael, I never knew you so tiresome before. It is impossible to speak
seriously to you--and I really am serious.' And then her tone changed,
and she looked at him very gently. 'You mean it so kindly, but indeed it
is not necessary. Neither Cyril nor I could ever find you in the way.'

He lo