nly on such
informal occasions. Sometimes they laughed and quipped, and beheld
everything from the comic point of view; anon, a sudden spirit of
earnestness would pass from one to the other, and as the fading light
hid their faces from view, tongues were set free, so that they talked of
the things which mattered, the towering realities which lay at the heart
of life! During these discussions Dan invariably seated himself in the
darkest corner, and Darsie, looking across, had again and again the
impression of deep eyes staring--staring! Vie Vernon considered the
Percivals "grasping creatures," and didn't care who knew it; Hannah was
placidly unconcerned; Dan made no remark; Percy Lister was leaving
himself, and considered that things "fitted in well." Altogether, in
comparison with the enthusiasm of the invitation, the opposition was
blightingly resigned. Darsie tossed her head, packed her boxes, and
prepared to depart a whole three days sooner than she had originally
intended.

On the afternoon before her departure a party was made up for the rink,
but at the last moment Darsie excused herself, and declared a wish to
stay at home. There were several pieces of sewing and mending which
were necessary, there was a letter to be written to Margaret France, and
a farewell ode to cheer poor Lavender. A gas fire in her bedroom
allowed her to perform these tasks in solitude, but as soon as they were
satisfactorily accomplished she made her way downstairs to the study,
prepared to enjoy an hour over an interesting book.

The gas was unlit, the usual large fire blazed in the grate; an arm-
chair was drawn up to the side, and within it sat Dan, head leaning on
hand, in an attitude which spoke of weariness and dejection.

He raised his eyes and looked at her, and Darsie shut the door and came
forward eagerly.

"Dan! Back again so soon? Is anything wrong?"

"No!"

"But you look strange. You--you didn't hurt yourself at the rink?"

"No."

"Quite, quite sure?"

"Quite."

Darsie subsided on to her favourite seat--the hearthrug--with a little
sigh of relief.

"That's all right. You're very monosyllabic, Dan. Shall I disturb you
if I sit here for a time?"

"No."

"A hundred thanks! You are _too_ gracious. I can be quiet if you like.
I like staring into the fire and dreaming myself."

Dan did not answer. Darsie peered at him, moving her little head from
side to side so as to get the clearest view. He loo