“Yes, she told me. And she asked what had become of you, and you answered ‘Very well, thank you!’ You will allow that was strange. No doubt she had been much puzzled by your disappearance before, and she assailed me directly what was the meaning of it? I had to say all sorts of things, that you were too busy to come, that you were otherwise engaged, and I don’t know what; but the short and the long of it is, Oliver, that, if you want to keep her from knowing all about it, you must begin to come back again. Things cannot go on as they are now without arousing her suspicions. This is her night, you know; you must look in for an hour. Of course I don’t want to enter into explanations with her,” said the Vice-Consul, becoming more at ease now he had made out his statement, and done it, he thought with some complacence, very cleverly. “You must really, by way of supporting what I have been obliged to say, look in to-night.” Harry’s heart was making up tremendously now for its momentary pause. He felt as if it must be audible all over the house. A flush of warmth went over him. He spoke with little breaks in his voice, so much excited and disturbed was he. “If you--have no objections, Sir. It cannot be but--a favour to me.” “That’s a good fellow,” cried the Vice-Consul relieved. “I was afraid you would tell me it was too painful, and leave me in the lurch.” “If I did that, Sir,” said Harry, “I should be a worthless creature indeed, however much it might cost me; but this--this---- If you have no objections, Sir--you can’t have any doubt that I----” Here he stopped, not knowing what to say more. “You must understand, Oliver,” said Mr. Bonamy, gravely, “that if I have no objections it is because I don’t want to enter into explanations with Rita; and then I have missed you, I would never deny that. But you must not suppose, because of this, that I mean you, you know, to depart from our--bargain, or to do anything to change the position. In short, I don’t intend, Oliver, that you should take advantage of the change to--in short, to----” This was not very explanatory, but Harry hastened to reply as if it had been the clearest statement in the world. “You may be sure I will take no advantage of the change,” he said. “Well, that is just what I expected from you,” said the Vice-Consul, falling into his natural tone; “but, my dear fellow,” he added, with a little alarm, “I must be sure that you can depend upon yourself. You told me you were afraid you would betray your feelings if you continued to come; you told me even that you had done so, or almost done so----” “Ah, Sir,” cried Harry, “that was when I found myself out! I know exactly all about it now, and I am on my guard.” “Bless me,” said the Vice-Consul, “that is exactly what----” here he stopped short with the guiltiest look. He was just about to say--what Rita said.