"I do not think I should mind, sister," said the Honourable Isabella. "And besides, Joseph might walk behind them, as he does when we go for a walk." "Joseph will be busy," said the Honourable Philippa tartly. "Ruth dear, would you like to accompany your cousin?" "If you would excuse me, aunt, I should prefer to stay," said Ruth humbly, and with a lively recollection of the snubbing she had once received for eagerly embracing a similar offer. "Would dear Lord Henry mind taking Marie unaccompanied by anyone else?" said the Honourable Philippa; and Lord Henry said he should only be too charmed to take her alone. Marie had been sitting with a half-contemptuous smile upon her lip, but as Lord Henry turned to her she rose and left the room, to return shortly with a large scarf thrown over her head and round her neck. The old man gazed wistfully at the beautiful figure, and uttered a low sigh. Then, rising, the couple left the room, Lord Henry saying that they would not be long; and, descending, they crossed the court and made their way into the gardens, confining themselves first to the broader walks, talking of the beauty of the night, the lovely effects of light and shadow in the formal old place, whose closely-clipped angularity was softened by the night. Marie said but little, listening in a quiet, contented frame of mind while Lord Henry made comparisons between the gardens and park and those of Versailles, Fontainebleau, and other places he had visited abroad. "You would like to travel, would you not?" he said, looking at her inquiringly. "I used to think it would be one of the greatest joys of existence," she replied; "but somehow of late I have felt content to stay as I am." "Always?" he said sadly. "Yes. I don't know.--Lord Henry," she whispered, in a quick, agitated manner, "take me away from here. Let us go back." He was startled by her energy, and for the first time saw that they were not alone, for there in the bright moonlight were a couple of officers sauntering along, evidently in ignorance of the proximity of Lord Henry and his companion. "Do you wish Captain Glen to see you, Marie?" said Lord Henry, with a shade of bitterness in his voice. "Why do you ask me that?" she retorted. "You see," he replied coldly, "we are in the shadow, and if we remain here they will pass on without noticing us." "Let us stay," she said; and they remained upon the velvet turf beneath a row of limes whose shadow was perfectly black; and as they rested silent and watchful there, they saw the two young men pass slowly in the silvery moonlight, talking carelessly till they were out of sight.