'I suppose it's a very pleasant season there,' the governess murmured, as if from a sense of duty, in a distant, discomfortable tone. 'I daresay it's very pleasant indeed--I daresay it's awfully amusing!' laughed Mr. Berrington. 'Shouldn't you like to run over with me for a few days, Laura--just to have a go at the theatres? I don't see why we should always be moping at home. We'll take Miss Steet and the children and give mummy a pleasant surprise. Now who do you suppose she was with, in Paris--who do you suppose she was seen with?' Laura had turned pale, she looked at him hard, imploringly, in the eyes: there was a name she was terribly afraid he would mention. 'Oh sir, in that case we had better go and get ready!' Miss Steet quavered, betwixt a laugh and a groan, in a spasm of discretion; and before Laura knew it she had gathered Geordie and Ferdy together and swept them out of the room. The door closed behind her with a very quick softness and Lionel remained a moment staring at it. 'I say, what does she mean?--ain't that damned impertinent?' he stammered. 'What did she think I was going to say? Does she suppose I would say any harm before--before _her_? Dash it, does she suppose I would give away my wife to the servants?' Then he added, 'And I wouldn't say any harm before you, Laura. You are too good and too nice and I like you too much!' 'Won't you come downstairs? won't you have some tea?' the girl asked, uneasily. 'No, no, I want to stay here--I like this place,' he replied, very gently and reasoningly. 'It's a deuced nice place--it's an awfully jolly room. It used to be this way--always--when I was a little chap. I was a rough one, my dear; I wasn't a pretty little lamb like that pair. I think it's because you look after them--that's what makes 'em so sweet. The one in my time--what was her name? I think it was Bald or Bold--I rather think she found me a handful. I used to kick her shins--I was decidedly vicious. And do _you_ see it's kept so well, Laura?' he went on, looking round him. ''Pon my soul, it's the prettiest room in the house. What does she want to go to Paris for when she has got such a charming house? Now can you answer me that, Laura?' 'I suppose she has gone to get some clothes: her dressmaker lives in Paris, you know.' 'Dressmaker? Clothes? Why, she has got whole rooms full of them. Hasn't she got whole rooms full of them?' 'Speaking of clothes I must go and change mine,' said Laura. 'I have been out in the rain--I have been to Plash--I'm decidedly damp.'