"Nora always forgets her engagements," she laughed, turning to me. "This morning we've got quite a host of places to go to and things to buy, for we leave town again to-night. After breakfast we arranged to go out together at eleven, and she's actually forgotten all about it!" "Short memories are sometimes useful," I remarked with a smile. "I hope that is not meant for sarcasm, Doctor," protested the baronet's wife. "I am never sarcastic at the expense of my patients," I responded. "But I presume I am a friend. Do your friends fare any better?" "With my friends it is quite different. I myself am generally the object of their sarcasm." They both laughed. "How hot it is this morning," observed the mysterious Feo. "I've only been in town three days, and shall be very glad to get back again into the country." "To what part are you going?" I inquired. "Only to Whitton, near Hounslow, to visit the Chetwodes. Do you know them?" "No," I replied. "Are you staying there long?" "Oh, a fortnight or so," she replied. "The Chetwode girls were at school with me near Paris, and we are very good friends. They always have a big house-party at this time of the year, and there is usually lots of fun." "You're quite right, dear," exclaimed her cousin, rising. "We must really make haste if we are to do all our shopping and catch the five o'clock from Waterloo. In Maud's letter, this morning, she says she will send the carriage to meet that train." I rose also. I was loth to leave the presence of this charming girl, who was undoubtedly my bride, but who, it appeared, was entirely unconscious of the fact. Yet the woman who had called me in for consultation, and had acted so strangely that it almost seemed as though she had fallen in love with me, had pointedly dismissed me; therefore I was compelled to take my leave. "I hope, Doctor, that we shall see something more of you on our return to town," her ladyship said, as we shook hands. "Recollect our conversation of this morning," she added meaningly. "Of course I shall be most delighted to call and see how you have progressed," I responded. "You have the prescription, and I hope you will persevere with it." "If I feel worse." She laughed, and I knew that she did not mean to have the mixture made up. She had shammed illness very cleverly. I was amused and annoyed at the same moment. "I hope Doctor Colkirk will dine with us here one evening," said the woman who was my bride. "I'm sure Sir Henry would be charmed to meet him." "Yes," answered her cousin; "only he must not know that I have consulted him professionally. That must be kept a secret." "All women love secrets," I remarked. "And men also," responded Feo. "Some appear to think that a little mystery adds an additional zest to life." Her words were strange ones, and seemed to have been uttered with some abstruse meaning.