nt to say one word, Blake: you will be
safe to-night, your mother will not come near you.' Then a look of
relief crossed Cyril's wan face. 'You shall, at least, have peace for a
few hours. If I can help you in any way, you have only to speak. Will
you remember that?'

'Thank you.'

'I mean it. There, that is all I have got to say. God bless you!' and
as he grasped Cyril's hand there was a faint response.

Michael crept down as softly as he could. As he passed the drawing-room
door he could hear Mrs. Blake's hysterical sobs, and Biddy soothing her.
'The Nemesis has come,' he said to himself; and then he went into the
lower room, where he found Mollie and Kester reading over the fire.

'Don't let me disturb you,' he said hurriedly, as they both sprang up to
greet him; 'Mollie, your brother wishes to be quiet to-night. He has
just heard something that troubles him a good deal, and he has desired
that no one should go near him. If I were you, I should take no notice
at all.'

'But what are we to do about supper?' returned Mollie with housewifely
anxiety; 'we have such a nice supper, and Cyril will be so cold and
hungry shut up in his room. We have made such a big fire, because he was
going to spend the evening with us.'

'He has a fire, too; he was very wet, and the room felt damp, so I
lighted it. You might take up a tray to him presently and put it outside
his door, and perhaps a cup of nice hot coffee.'

'Ah! I will go and make it at once, and mamma shall have some, too.' And
Mollie ran off in her usual impetuous manner, but Kester sat still in
his place.

'What is the matter, Captain Burnett?' he asked anxiously; 'we heard
mother crying just now, and saying that Cyril would not speak to her.
Mollie heard it quite plainly, and so did I.'

'You shall know all in good time, my dear boy,' returned Michael, laying
his hand on Kester's shoulder; 'do not ask me any more just now.'

Kester looked at him wistfully, but he was trained to self-discipline,
and he asked no more; and Michael went back to Woodcote.

It was just dinner-time, and the gong sounded before he was ready; but
he made some easy excuse and slipped into his place, and began to talk
to Dr. Ross about the new swimming-baths that were being built. It was
the first topic that came handy to him, and Dr. Ross at once followed
his lead; the subject lasted them until the end of dinner. Audrey was
unusually silent, but neither of them made any remark on her