Anne's laugh rang loud and clear through the hall; then coming close beside him, and standing on tiptoe, she whispered a few words in his ear, evidently by the sudden start he gave and the quick flush that succeeded it, something that annoyed him; for while Anne still laughed he wished Miss Neville good-night, and, whistling to his dog, went away upstairs. Then Anne no longer laughed, but with a sigh turned suddenly to Miss Neville, and as she did so caught sight of Mr. Hall's face at the half-open drawing-room door. "Is it possible!" exclaimed she, "that I caught sight of Mr. Hall's ugly phiz peeping through the door?" "Yes; he was there not long ago; at least I saw him when you were whispering to Mr. Linchmore." "Upon my word, I am losing all patience with that man. How I do wish Charles had been a little more cousinly; how astonished he would have been, and what a lecture he would have read me. Keep a secret, indeed! Not he. Why he is a thousand times worse that I. Good-bye, Miss Neville, I am sorry to have interrupted your cosy chat, but I could not possibly help it; you will forgive me, won't you." Amy told her there was nothing to forgive. That she had promised the children she would take them upstairs, and was merely waiting for them. "Then do not wait any longer," Anne said, "but take my advice, go to bed, and send Mary. You do not know Mrs. Linchmore as well as I do, _she_ is _peculiar_ in some things; and--now do not be angry--but I doubt if she would like your being here." And without waiting to see the effect of her speech, Anne went off. "You _cannot_ keep a secret, Mr. Hall," said she, stumbling upon him as she entered the drawing-room. "I have tried you, and you are not to be trusted in the very slightest." "You forget, Miss Anne, you did not trust me, otherwise--" "You would not have peeped," she said, finishing the sentence. "True. I should not." "But a secret is no secret when it is entrusted to a multitude. If you have found out mine--which, mind, I doubt--do not divulge it." Ten minutes later Mrs. Linchmore herself left the room with the children, and Anne again enlisted Mr. Hall's services, asking him to see if Miss Neville was in the Hall. "Do not trouble to come and tell me, I do not wish it; but just shake your head, or nod as the case may be, yes or no; I shall understand you." "I have found it all out, Mag," said she, crossing the room as Mr. Hall disappeared; and with no little pride Anne once more seated herself in the still vacant chair. "I do not doubt you, Anne. Was it worth the trouble?" "I should think so. There would have been a flame before now, the train was laid and the match all ready, but before it could be set fire to I dispersed it. So you see curiosity is not always a fault, but in some instances praiseworthy." Julia laughed. "What reasoning," she said. "It is sound, good reasoning though, Mag; and now do tell me if Mr. Hall is in the room?" "Yes, and looking at you, Anne."