"Oh, I'm so sorry--how long have you been ill?" asked May, anxiously. "I am only tired, I think; I will tell the driver of the cab to stop--I want you to go out with me for a little while, May." "Yes, of course, but first come in and rest," answered May, uneasily, for his manner was so strange. John Temple went down the steps to speak to the driver, and May stood at the open door watching him. Then he reascended the steps, and she shut the door behind him and put her arm through his, and together they entered the dining-room where Miss Webster and Miss Eliza were standing, full of expectation and excitement. "John is not very well, Miss Webster," said May, a little tremulously; "I think he wants nursing and being taken care of." "Oh! I'm so sorry," said the two kind ladies, almost with one breath. "It is nothing," answered John, nervously, as he shook hands with them; "I am tired, that is all." "You must have some wine or some tea. You must stay to dinner, of course?" the next moment suggested hospitable Miss Webster. "Thanks, I will take a glass of wine," answered John, "but I will not stay to dinner; I am going to take May out to dine with me." Both the sisters protested against this, but John Temple was firm, and after he had taken his wine he looked at May, and asked her to get ready to go out with him. May rose at once to obey his wish, but she still felt uneasy. John was not like himself; his smile was strained, his very voice was different. "Something is worrying him dreadfully, I am sure," she told herself as she hurried on her hat and cape, and when she turned to the sitting-room and told John she was ready, to her surprise John put out his hand to take leave of Miss Webster. "But you'll bring May back; we will see you, then?" said Miss Webster, also surprised. "Oh! yes, I forgot," answered John, and then he led May to the cab, and, having placed her in it, took his seat by her side. May slid her little hand into his as the horse started. "John, I am sure something is vexing you," she said, tenderly and anxiously, looking at his half-averted face; "have you any bad news to tell me?" "I have some news," he answered, with an effort. "Is it bad news?" urged May. "I can not tell you here; wait until we get to the hotel--I will tell you then." "But John--" "Hush, hush, dear; you will hear it soon enough." He spoke huskily, almost hoarsely, and he turned away his head from her tender gaze. After this they drove on almost in silence until they reached the Grosvenor Hotel, where John usually stayed when he was in town. When he arrived there he ordered rooms and dinner, and then when they were alone May once more looked at him questioningly. "Tell me now, John, what is it?" she asked. "May--" began John, and then he paused, absolutely unable to find words to tell her the truth. "Oh! do tell me, John!" she prayed, and she laid her hand beseechingly on his arm.