"Your nephew don't seem to be in no hurry," she remarked, at length; "but, there, direckly 'e gets along o' my daughter 'e forgits everything and everybody." "I really don't think he is coming," said Hardy, moved to speech by the glances of Miss Nugent. "I shall give him a little longer," said Mrs. Kybird. "I only came 'ere to please 'im, and to get 'ome alone is more than I can do." Miss Nugent looked at Mr. Hardy, and her eyes were soft and expressive. As plainly as eyes could speak they asked him to take Mrs. Kybird home, lest worse things should happen. "Would it be far out of your way?" she asked, in a low voice. "Quite the opposite direction," returned Mr. Hardy, firmly. "How I got 'ere I don't know," said Mrs. Kybird, addressing the room in general; "it's a wonder to me. Well, once is enough in a lifetime." "Mr. Hardy," said Kate Nugent, again, in a low voice, "I should be so much obliged if you would take Mrs. Kybird away. She seems bent on quarrelling with my aunt. It is very awkward." It was difficult to resist the entreaty, but Mr. Hardy had a very fair idea of the duration of Miss Nugent's gratitude; and, besides that, Murchison was only too plainly enjoying his discomfiture. "She can get home alone all right," he whispered. Miss Nugent drew herself up disdainfully; Dr. Murchison, looking scandalized at his brusqueness, hastened to the rescue. "As a medical man," he said, with a considerable appearance of gravity, "I don't think that Mrs. Kybird ought to go home alone." "Think not?" inquired Hardy, grimly. "Certain of it," breathed the doctor. "Well, why don't you take her?" retorted Hardy; "it's all on your way. I have some news for Miss Nugent." Miss Nugent looked from one to the other, and mischievous lights appeared in her eyes as she gazed at the carefully groomed and fastidious Murchison. From them she looked to the other side of the room, where Mrs. Kybird was stolidly eyeing Mrs. Kingdom, who was trying in vain to appear ignorant of the fact. [Illustration: "The carefully groomed and fastidious Murchison."] "Thank you very much," said Miss Nugent, turning to the doctor. "I'm sorry," began Murchison, with an indignant glance at his rival. "Oh, as you please," said the girl, coldly. "Pray forgive me for asking you." "If you really wish it," said the doctor, rising. Miss Nugent smiled upon him, and Hardy also gave him a smile of kindly encouragement, but this he ignored. He crossed the room and bade Mrs. Kingdom good-bye; and then in a few disjointed words asked Mrs. Kybird whether he could be of any assistance in seeing her home. "I'm sure I'm much obliged to you," said that lady, as she rose. "It don't seem much use for me waiting for my future son-in-law. I wish you good afternoon, ma'am. I can understand now why Jack didn't come."