"Has he?" The young man closed his lips tightly for an instant. Then he laughed, and said, "In that case I must owe the boy fifty dollars. That's the reward I offered. I remember at the time I wanted to offer five hundred, but you told me, Caro, that the smaller sum would be just as effective." Lawrence turned and walked across the veranda. Mrs. Ffolliott went into the house. The young man returned to Carolyn's side. "It all seems a thousand years ago," he said. "I was wild--wild for her. I suppose I was somebody else; don't you think I was somebody else, Caro?" "No. And it is not quite two years since then." "How literal you are!" "Am I?" she asked, smiling. "Yes. And such a comfort to me. Caro, I'm going to kiss your hand." He took both of the girl's hands, held them closely, then kissed them gently. "I'm sorry you and Aunt Tishy seemed to think you must arrange so that I shouldn't see Prudence. It makes me appear such a weak fellow. Do you think I am a weak fellow, Caro?" "No." "Honest Indian?" "Honest Indian." "Oh, I'm glad of that. I find I am asking myself so many times if Caro thinks this or that of me. Perhaps you call that weak?" But the girl only laughed at this remark. Then they talked of a great many things, until Lawrence asked, suddenly, "Where did Leander find that ring?" Carolyn told him. "Odd! Of course it was Devil's work?" "Yes. He took my gold thimble, you know." The young man said, "I'm sure Lee won't let me off; he'll exact every penny. I would gladly have given all my possessions to get it back again when I lost it. But now--" Here Lawrence paused. He was gazing persistently at his companion. But she did not seem to be aware of this gaze. She did not try to help him out with his sentence. She was standing in perfect quiet; she was not a nervous woman, and she could remain for several moments without moving. It was six months since Lawrence had seen Carolyn. He was wondering if she had always impressed him as she impressed him now. If she had done so, he thought it was inexplicable that he should have forgotten. But then, formerly, he had seen somebody else. That accounted for everything, of course. At this fancy he smiled. And he wished that carbuncle had not been found. It seemed awkward to have that turn up now when he had ceased to care for it. It was like a ghost stalking out of the past. He took a step towards the door. "I'm as dingy with heat and dust as a savage," he remarked. "I suppose I can have my old room?" "Of course." "All right, then. Do stay out here until I come down, Caro; will you?" He advanced now towards her. "Will you?" "If mamma doesn't call me." "Very well."