Miss Hansen was some time absent, and Kenelm Eyrle awaited her return in grim silence. He did not, as some men would have done, amuse himself by looking around the room, seeking to guess the character of its occupants, as was usual with him; he forgot everything except Clarice, whom he had loved and lost. “I have been a long time, Mr. Eyrle,” said the cheerful voice of Miss Hansen. “Mrs. Payton was out in the grounds. I shall soon believe there is magic in your name, for Mrs. Payton is willing to see you.” Evidently the little lady was startled. “Will you follow me,” she said, “to the morning-room? We found so many rooms at the Dower House that we have been puzzled how to name them.” He followed her to a large, bright, cheerful room--a room that seemed, at first sight, somewhat crowded with pictures and statues. His eyes were dazzled at first, for the sunbeams were very bright; then, as he grew accustomed to the light, he saw before him the tall, stately figure of a lady, dressed in deepest mourning. He was so completely unprepared for her wonderful beauty that he looked at her for a few minutes, quite unable to speak. Then his face flushed at his own awkwardness. “I must apologize,” he said. “I was under the impression that Mrs. Payton was an elderly lady. You will think me very ill-bred--very stupid.” Perhaps she had known the force of her own beauty in happier days, for a sad smile half rippled over her lips, then died away. “I may plead guilty to the same mistake,” she said. “I thought Mr. Eyrle very much my senior.” “So I am,” he replied. “You are very kind to give yourself the trouble of calling upon me,” she continued. “I want your permission to have a large bay window made in the drawing-room; it is my favorite room; the view is very beautiful, but the window is small.” “I can have no possible objection,” he replied, courteously. “It will be expensive,” she said. “That will not matter; it will serve to beautify the home.” Again the same sad, faint smile. “You are different from most of the landlords in whose houses I have lived,” she said. “That is the primary consideration. I thought I would explain to you that the alterations I should like to make will not affect other tenants, as I have every wish and hope, be my life long or short, to spend it here.”