the far-off
country was still near to Him.

Fortunately for all concerned, the letter from the Hermit's brother
proved in every respect satisfactory, for the Loftus family washed their
hands of Barney, going out of their way to refuse help before it was
asked. The `mannikin' would, no doubt, have acted differently had he
been permitted, but his wife told him sternly that he could not allow
_all_ his friends to be victimised by that dreadful boy, when he said,
"Yes, my dear--yes! No, my dear--no!" and collapsed, as his custom was.
The Charringtons were hardly disappointed, for they had learned long
ago that--except where Hope was concerned--it was useless to expect
sympathy from Aunt Loftus. Avice's affection for Hope made her a
welcome guest, and she was frequently asked to fill a vacant place at a
dinner-table, or presented with a ticket for an afternoon concert which
she would not otherwise have been able to afford. It was at such a
concert that Hope's next meeting with Ralph Merrilies took place, and
through all her embarrassment she noticed the glance exchanged between
him and Avice as he seated himself in the vacant stall by her side.
There was no surprise in her cousin's languid eyes, but something very,
very like triumph at the completion of a well-laid scheme. Could it be
possible that the seat had been designedly reserved?

As we all know, well-bred people never dream of whispering or talking at
classical concerts, and Hope's devotion to her programme was so
continual and absorbing that her next-door neighbour could study her
profile at his ease, and wonder if there was another girl in the world
who had such long eyelashes and such a sweet, winsome mouth. The
interval seemed a long time in coming, but it came at last, and then
Avice gave Ralph another eloquent glance and carried off her mother to
speak to some friends at the other side of the hall. The occupants of
stalls to right and left were also moving about and chattering together,
and to the two who were left seated there was a sense of solitude in the
midst of a crowd.

"Wasn't it beautiful?" asked Hope, still studying her programme.

"Very!" replied Ralph; but they were not referring to the same subject.
He rested his arm on the back of the seat and said softly:

"Never mind that programme just now. Talk to me. I haven't seen you
for months. Mrs Loftus told me that you refused her invitation to The
Shanty. I had been hoping to meet you t