"I remember," she laughed. "You tied your handkerchief round my head, like an old peasant woman, and took me back in a carriage. And mamma was dreadfully angry about the cap, because she had bought it at Biarritz, and couldn't replace it in Italy. She thought you ought to have taken steps to get it back." "Dear me!" said Rainham solemnly, "why didn't I think of it before? I wonder if it's too late to do anything now." The girl's laughter broke out again, this time attracting the attention of her brother, who was discussing the projected travels, with the aid of Bradshaw, at Mary Masters' side. He glanced at them askance, pulling at his collar in his stiff, nervous fashion a little uneasily. "What a long time ago all that seems, Philip!" she remarked after a while. He was silent for a moment examining his finger-nails intently. "Yes," he said rather sadly; "I suppose it does. I dare say you wouldn't care much for the Zoo now?" "Oh, I shouldn't mind," she said gaily, "if you will take me." But a move had been made opposite, and Charles Sylvester, coming up to them, overheard this last remark. "I think we must be off," he said, consulting his watch. "Where is Rainham going to take you?" "To Florence," she said, smiling, "to the Zoo." "Ah, a good idea," he murmured. "Well, good-bye, Lady Garnett; good-day, Rainham. I am sorry to see you don't seem to have benefited much by your winter abroad. I almost wonder you came back so soon. Was not it rather unwise? This treacherous climate, you know." "Yes," said Rainham; "I, too, think you are right. I think I had much better have stayed--very much better." "Ah, well," he said, "you must take care of yourself, and give us a look in if you have time." Eve looked up at him, flushing a little, as though she found her brother's formal politeness lacking in hospitality. She was struck then, as she had not been yet during her visit, by a curious lassitude in her old friend's face. It affected her with an unconscious pity, causing her to second her brother's somewhat chilly invitation more cordially. The humour which had shone in Rainham's eyes while they had been talking seemed to have gone out suddenly, like a lamp, leaving them blank and tired. It shocked her to realize how old and ill he had become. CHAPTER VI