"Thank you for your letter. We shall be very pleased to see you on Thursday for a few days, when we can do as you suggest—talk things over together. My uncles will be very glad to hear of my aunt. I trust she is fairly well. Will you let us know your train, so that we can send the car to meet you. "Yours sincerely, "ADRIENNE CHESTERTON." "There!" she said a little triumphantly. "That will leave you in doubt as to my intentions, which will be very good for you." She posted her letter and tried to think of other things. But her anticipated visit to her aunt seemed to hang over her like a heavy cloud. She always said that she was like a cat, and hated change of any sort, and she was so happy in her home life that she did not want to leave it. CHAPTER IV THE COUNT'S ARRIVAL THURSDAY came. A wire had been received saying that the guest would arrive at four, and the car had been sent for him. Adrienne had seen that the spare room was ready and comfortable for him. She even put a blue jar of daffodils on the writing bureau, and wondered, as she did so, if he would notice or appreciate them. Tea was brought into the drawing-room. The Admiral paced the room in expectation of the arrival. The General was out with the dogs. "Don't want to see the fellow more than I can help," he said as he went off. When the car arrived, the Admiral went out into the hall, and a moment later Adrienne was shaking hands with a tall, broad-shouldered man not in the very least like a Frenchman in voice or manner or look. He had a clean-shaven, tanned face, startlingly clear blue eyes, and a very determined mouth and chin. "We've heard about each other, sure!" he said. "But it's very pleasant to see one another at last." His grip was so hearty that Adrienne winced. She smiled at his slight Americanism. "I was at school when you were over here before." "Yes, and I was shown a photo of you in tennis costume, with long hair, and a smile that made me want to kiss you!" "Will you have some tea?" Adrienne's tone was cool and detached, but nothing quenched Guy de Beaudessert. He was alive to his finger-tips, and turned to the Admiral with a flood of talk about France and her difficulties. Adrienne listened, and was surprised at the interest she felt in what he was saying. "I'm not French, you know. I never would take my father's title. If you haven't a position in France, you're better without it. Indeed, you're not popular with the powers that be, if you keep up a state of 'Noblesse.' My stepmother won't understand this, but even she to the neighbours round is simply 'Madame.' And what is the good of a handle to your name when your house is in ruins, and your property nil?" "I wonder," said Adrienne a little pointedly, "that you don't live with Aunt Cecily when you are over there. It would make her less lonely."