The moment for parting had come. As Oscar gazed down on Laura, all the hardness melted out of his face, and in its stead, the soft light of love shone out of his eyes, and his lips curved into a smile of tenderness. ‘Farewell—but only for a little while,’ he whispered. He lifted her hand to his lips for a moment, and then, without another word, he turned on his heel and joined the Captain. ‘I actually believe Mr Boyd is in love with dear Lady Dimsdale!’ whispered Elsie to Mr Summers. ‘Of course he is, and she with him; only, she’s playing with him for a little while.’ ‘It seems to me that you know far too much about love-making, Master Charley.’ ‘Who was the first to give me lessons?’ The only answer to this was a pinch in the soft part of his arm. Lady Dimsdale controlled herself by a supreme effort. Then she crossed slowly towards where Sir Frederick was sitting. He rose as she approached him. ‘You have kept your promise bravely,’ he said in a low voice. ‘Why should not a woman keep a promise as bravely as a man?’ ‘It is I who am driving you away.’ ‘You flatter yourself, Sir Frederick.’ He shook his head in grave dissent. He seemed strangely moved. He gazed earnestly at her. ‘There is a tear in your eye, Lady Dimsdale,’ he said. ‘I am conquered. I revoke the promise I caused you to give me yesterday.’ ‘Oh, Sir Frederick!’ ‘I revoke it unconditionally.’ ‘Why did you not tell me this five minutes ago!’ ‘Better to tell it you now than not at all. You will not leave us now?’ ‘But I must, I fear—must.’ She gave him her hand for a moment, and then turned away. As the Baronet watched her retreating figure, he muttered to himself: ‘Mr Boyd said we were quits. He was mistaken. We shall be quits after to-day. Hum, hum.’ As Lady Dimsdale was crossing the terrace, she dropped one of her gloves—whether by design or accident, who shall say. Oscar Boyd sprang forward and picked it up. Laura stopped, turned, and held out her hand for the glove. As Oscar gave it back to her, his fingers closed instinctively round hers. For a moment or two he gazed into her eyes; for a moment or two she glanced shyly into his. I don’t in the least know what he saw there; but suddenly he called out to the coachman: ‘Henry, you can drive back to the stables. Lady Dimsdale will not go to London to-day.’ THE MONTH: SCIENCE AND ARTS.