He was puzzled to adduce any reason excepting that she was so pretty. He did not pursue the subject. "There are several things worth seeing here," he said. "Of course Dieppe 'is only the Casino,' if one never goes anywhere else. I suppose you haven't even heard of the cave-dwellers?" "The 'cave-dwellers'?" she repeated. "Their homes are the caves in the cliffs. Have you never noticed there are holes? They are caves when you get inside--vast ones--one room leading out of another. The people are beggars, very dirty, and occasionally picturesque. They exist by what they can cadge, and, of course, they pay no rent; it's only when they come out that they see daylight." "How horrid!" she shivered. "And you went to look at them?" "Rather! They are very pleased to 'receive.' One of the inhabitants has lived there for twenty years. I don't think he has been outside it for ten--he sends his family. Many of the colony were born there. Don't you think they were worth a visit?" "I don't know," she said; "one might be robbed and murdered in such a place." "Oh, rather!" he agreed. "Some of the inner rooms are so black that you literally can't see your hand before you. It would be a beautiful place for a murder! The next-of-kin lures the juvenile heiress there, and bribes the beggars to make away with her. Unknown to him, they spare her life because--because----Why do they spare her life? But they keep her prisoner and bring her up as one of themselves. Twenty years later----I believe I could write a sensational novel, after all!" "What nonsense!" laughed Miss Walford daintily. "Do you like that kind of story?" "I like plots about real life best," she said. "Don't you?" He found this an exposition of the keenest literary sympathies, and regarded her adoringly. She preferred analysis to adventure, and realism to romance! What work he might accomplish inspired by the companionship of such a girl! "Wherever have you been, Cynthia? We thought you were lost," he heard Mrs. Walford say discordantly, and the next moment they were all together. "It's where have _you_ been, mamma, isn't it?" "Well, I like that! We didn't stop a minute; I made certain you saw us get up. We've been hunting for you everywhere. Mr. Turquand and I have been out here ever so long, haven't we, Mr. Turquand? Looking at the moon, too, if you want to know, and--hee, hee, hee!--talking sentiment." Turquand, who was staring at Kent, allowed an eyelid to droop for an instant at the conclusion, and the latter stroked his moustache and smiled. "Such a time we've been having, all by ourselves" she persisted uproariously. "Mr. Kent, are you shocked? Oh, I've shocked Mr. Kent! He'll always remember it--I can see it in his face." "I shall always remember _you_, Mrs. Walford," he said, trying to make the fatuity sound graceful.