"Don't you think if I were to leave you now you would sleep? Perhaps I had better go downstairs again, and see what the children are doing. They may be getting into mischief and I am sure Babsy, dear little heart, must be nearly worn out." And with some persuasion Mrs. Lancing assented to this. As she reached the big hall, Caroline met Rupert Haverford. "Mrs. Lancing is resting. I have persuaded her to lie down. She wants to be well for dinner." Rupert thanked her. "I was just coming to look for you. The children are clamouring to know why 'Caroline' has vanished? So I volunteered to find her. Are you having a happy Christmas?" he asked, with a smile. "I am happy altogether," Caroline answered him; "it is so wonderful to find that after all I have a little place of my own in the world, and that there are people who actually care to know what is passing with me." They moved together through the big, comfortable hall to the room from whence issued a babel of voices and music and laughter. "I want you to give me five minutes either to-day or to-morrow," said Haverford, in answer to this; and Caroline coloured hotly. "Mrs. Lancing has just been telling me a little more about myself," she said nervously. The warm colour in her cheeks was reflected in Rupert Haverford's face. His manner was rather abrupt, and his voice hard, as he said-- "I am sorry Camilla has spoken of this subject, for I particularly wished to broach it to you myself." At that moment Betty caught sight of her, and Caroline had no opportunity of replying. The child rushed towards them; her cheeks were flaming, and her beautiful little head was crowned with a tinsel cap. "Oh, you have found her!" she cried. "We have been wanting you ever such a lot, Caroline. Where have you been congregating to? Baby's beginning to make a nice noise. She's sitting on Aunty Brenny's knee now, saying that she feels like to cry." Then eagerly, "Caroline, I needn't go to bed yet, need I.... Say I needn't?" Mrs. Brenton looked relieved to see Caroline. In her lap sat a very tired, a very cross, and much tumbled, lace-trimmed small person. Caroline held out her arms. "Come along, sweetheart, and Caroline will tell you a lovely story all to yourself." "Shall I carry her?" Haverford asked. Caroline shook her head. "Oh no; she isn't a bit heavy!" She closed her arms round her little charge. Baby rested her flushed cheek against the girl's pale one, and her tiny arms were tightly pressed round Caroline's neck. As Haverford opened the door for her, Caroline gave him a bright little nod as she passed out. "I think I shall say 'good night'" she said, "for I shall not come down again this evening. Baby wants to say 'good night' too, darling, don't you?"