"It does not do to be bound up so entirely in one another as he and Tom were," she said with a sigh; "they were two inseparables! Of course Derrick must miss Tom tremendously." "Yes, I could not bear to leave him; but he will be in London for a week or two over business matters, and I shall soon be back again." The Countess shook her head at her: "I am going to introduce you to Orleans society, and shall not let you go in a hurry. I have told Miss Preston of some plans I have in my head." "When are you going?" Adrienne asked. "As soon as you can get me packed. I don't like autumn in the country, and the fall of the leaf is not healthy." "Have you heard from Cousin Guy?" "Not for weeks. He is always a bad correspondent. It is most inconsiderate of him staying away at this juncture, when I specially want him. I do not know where he is, or what he is doing. I have only his banker's address." After tea, Adrienne went up to her room and Bertha accompanied her. She settled herself down in a big easy-chair by the window for a good talk. The Countess had gone to her room to turn out some of her wardrobes ready for Adrienne's inspection. Annette went with her to help her. "My dear Adrienne, your aunt is a marvel. She can turn from disagreeables and forget all about them within ten minutes. We had awful scenes this morning with Pierre and his family. It appears that Monsieur Bouverie has been interviewing them and asking them if the Countess has given them notice to leave. He told them he would not require their services, and he hoped to take possession of the Château on the fifteenth of next month. That will be barely three weeks from to-day. They all arrived up in your aunt's room in tears. She got very agitated, and alarmed, dissolved into tears herself and then waved them all away. "' The Count will be back. He'll put things all right. You need not be afraid. I leave you as usual to take care of the Château in my absence. Monsieur Bouverie is trying to frighten you. You really must not come and upset me like this. My heart won't stand it. The sooner I am in Orleans the better. Mademoiselle is coming to take me there." "She then cheered up, and has been extra cheerful all day. Can you understand her? Monsieur Bouverie is absolutely determined, and within his rights, he tells me, to take the Château on the fifteenth of October." "It's all perfectly dreadful," said Adrienne; "I can understand Aunt Cecily's mind a little. She has always been under dread of this time coming, but she has slipped through so many of her troubles that she expects to slip through this. And even I don't believe Monsieur Bouverie will be successful in wresting the property from us. I somehow think that Cousin Guy will prevent it."