"Her state is this, Hill—that it admits no probability whatever of her returning here," said Mr. Chandos, throwing back his velveteen coat, for he was in sporting clothes. And well he looked in them! as a tall, handsome man generally does. "There's a bother!" was Hill's retort. "Then some one else must be seen about, Mr. Harry, without loss of time." "I suppose so. Things seem to be going tolerably cross just now. "Cross and contrary," groaned Hill. "As they always do, I've noticed, when it's specially necessary they should go smooth. My lady was speaking about Miss White, you know, sir." "Yes. I'll go up and speak with my mother. But I must have something to eat, Hill." "The luncheon ought to be in," was Hill's reply. And she crossed to the bell and gave it a sharp pull. "Have you been walking to Mrs. Freeman's?" I asked of Mr. Chandos, as he was quitting the room. "That would be more than a twenty-mile walk, there and back," he answered, turning to speak. "I honoured the omnibus with my company as far as the station, and then went on by train; coming back in the same way." The luncheon was on the table when he descended from his mother's rooms, and he hastily sat down to it. He was dressed differently then. "I will not invite you to take it with me," he observed, "for I must not sit five minutes, and can barely snatch a mouthful." "Are you going far?" "Not very far; but I wish to be home to dinner. That will do, Joseph; you need not wait." "Let me wait upon you, Mr. Chandos," I said, springing up. "Very well. How will you begin?" "I don't know what to begin with. I don't know what you want first." "Nor I. For I do not want anything at all just now. What have you been doing with yourself all the morning?" "Working a little, and reading. Not Shakespeare, but a play of Goldsmith's; 'She Stoops to Conquer.' "Why, where did you pick up that?" he interrupted. "I did not know the book was about." "I saw it lying in the window-seat near the east wing, and dipped into it. After that, I could not put it down again—although it was not in the list of books you gave me." "You thought you would enjoy the mischief first, as the children do, whether the scolding came afterwards or not." "Ought I not to have read it?" "You may read it again if you like. It is an excellent comedy; more entertaining, I fancy, to read than to witness, though. Did you fall in love with Tony Lumpkin?" "Not irrevocably. Here comes your horse round, Mr. Chandos." "My signal for departure. And I believe I am speeding on a useless errand." "Is it an important one?" "It is to inquire after a lady to replace Mrs. Freeman as companion to Mrs. Chandos. Some one my mother knows; a Miss White. Miss White was seeking for such a situation a few months ago; but the probabilities are that she has found one."