"Yes," he said dreamily, as he sat back with his eyes closed. "I can't make it all fit. He rarely goes to the office, I have found that out; and from what I can learn he must be living in the country. The house I saw him go to has all the front blinds drawn down, and last time I rode by I saw a woman at the gate, but I could not stop to question her--I have no right." "No, dear, you have no right," said Jenny, gravely. "That was only a fancy of yours. But how strangely things do come to pass!" Leigh started, and gazed at his sister wonderingly. "What do you mean?" he said. "I was only replying to your remarks, dear, about your suspicions of this Mr Garstang." "I? My remarks?" he said, looking at her strangely. "I said nothing." "Why, Pierce dear, you did just now." "No, not a word. I was asleep when you spoke." "Asleep?" "Yes. What is there strange in that? A man must have rest, and I have been out for the last three nights with anxious cases. Was I talking?" "Yes, dear," said Jenny, rising, to go behind the chair and lay her soft little hands upon her brother's head. "Talking about that shut-up house, and this Mr Garstang. I thought it was not possible, and that it was very wild of you to take a house in this street so as to be near and watch him, but nothing could have been better. You are getting as busy as you used to be in Westminster. But Pierce, dear," she whispered softly, "don't you think we should be happier if we were in full confidence with one another--as we were once?" "No," he said, gloomily, "I shall never be happy again." "You will, dear, when some day we meet Kate, and all this mystery about her is at an end." "Meet Miss Wilton and her husband," he said, bitterly. "No, dear; if I know anything of women you will never meet Kate Wilton's husband. Pierce, dear, I am your sister, and I have been so lonely lately, ever since we came to London. You have never quite forgiven me all that unhappy business. Don't you think you could if you tried?" He sat perfectly silent for a few moments, and then reached round, took her in his arms, and kissed her long and lovingly. In an instant she was clinging to his neck, sobbing wildly, and he had hard work trying to soothe her. But she changed again just as quickly, and laughed at him through her tears. "There," she cried, "now I feel ten years younger. Five minutes ago I was quite an old woman. But, Pierce, you will confide in me now, and make me quite as we used to be?" "Yes," he said. She wound her arms tightly round his neck, and laid her face to his. "Then confess to me, dear," she whispered. "You do dearly love Kate Wilton?" He was silent for some moments, and then slowly and dreamily his words were breathed close to her ear. "Yes; and I shall never love again." Jenny turned up her face and kissed him, but hid it, burning, directly after in his breast.