“I’m only tryin’ to keep you interested. Now all these things have happened recently. Has any one new come to the school recently? Any new servant? Any new teacher? Well, any new girl?” “It’s very unusual to have any new girls this term. But we have had one--Alice Warenne. She came with the highest introductions, Mr. Fortune. The Countess of Spilsborough asked me to take her.” “And who are Alice Warenne’s people?” “Her father is English but lives abroad. A distinguished-looking man, obviously well off. He has friends, as you see, in the best society. Her mother, I believe, has been long dead. She was brought up in France, and speaks French better than English. But this is all waste of time, Mr. Fortune. Alice Warenne is a delightful girl--a sweet nature. I can’t imagine anything against her. Pray don’t form idle prejudices.” “And has anybody called to see Alice Warenne since the affair of the photographs?” Miss Lomas showed some surprise. “Dear me, Mr. Fortune--now you mention it, yes. Her father was over in England and came down to see her a few days ago. He had another man with him, I remember.” “Another? Do fond fathers often bring a faithful friend down to see how their daughters are growing?” “Now you mention it, I suppose it is unusual.” Miss Lomas looked at Reggie with apprehension. “Still, it’s quite reasonable, Mr. Fortune.” “Well--if he were a brother--or a selected fiancé.” “Really, Mr. Fortune! Alice is a child. Not more than sixteen. This other man was older than her father. I wish I could remember his name.” “So do I,” Reggie agreed. “It was nothing uncommon, I think. He was rather an uncommon-looking man--big and handsome, but artistic or Bohemian in his clothes.” “And after the fond father and the faithful friend saw Alice you found this little lady”--he held up the Hottentot Venus--“in the library?” “It was--the day after,” Miss Lomas cried. “Good gracious!” “We are getting on, aren’t we?” Reggie smiled. “But I wonder where we are getting to?” “They saw her in the library. I shall certainly ask Alice for an explanation,” Miss Lomas said. Reggie put the Hottentot Venus in his pocket and smiled at her. “I’m sure you’re much too wise. Let’s say nothing till we can say something sensible. I should like to see Alice. Just ‘for to admire’, you know.” “The girls will be in the playing-field now.” “Delightful. Suppose you walk me through. Treat me as if I was intendin’ to be a parent.” “I beg your pardon?” said Miss Lomas, with emphasis. “Oh, I mean a fond father comin’ to see if it was all nice enough for my darlin’ daughter. Don’t let Alice think I’m interested in her.” “Very well, Mr. Fortune.” Miss Lomas went off for her hat. The playing-field was a pleasant place set about with old oaks, in the freshest of their leaves then, through which there were glimpses of the sunlit Devon sea. Comely girls in white, clustered, arms in the air, at basket ball, or ran and smote across the tennis-courts.