Once indeed she wondered whether Paul were not a trifle too ostentatiously engrossed? Whether it were the case that he really did not see her slip into the vacant chair, the only vacant chair at the table? His head was steadily turned the other way, but her sisters addressed her and still he perceived, or affected to perceive, no addition to the party. Was he, could he be afraid of her penetration? Did he suspect that it went further than was convenient? Maud was unusually animated that morning. "It really fits in wonderfully, this plan of Aunt Charlotte's; and I must say I little expected her to be the one to come to the rescue." "What is the plan?" inquired Leo aside of Sybil. "Aunt Charlotte offers us her house for the winter." Sybil also looked excited and jubilant. "She is going abroad, and says she will leave us everything as it stands." "But a house in Eaton Place, and it is one of the larger houses too," demurred Sue, "would it not be rather expensive----?" "Not in the least, seeing that we are to have Aunt Charlotte's servants. It is really _most_ kind," averred Maud, with the warmest approval; "I should not think of refusing, not for a moment. And St. Peter's close by--" with a meaning smile to Paul--"what could be better?" "Hi, Lion, Lion?" said he, looking under the table. "You will close with the offer at once, Sue?" proceeded Maud, too much elated and gratified to observe the lack of response; "don't lose a post, in case the good lady changes her mind. How soon can we go, do you think?" But even the gentle Sue kindled a little beneath a note which jarred on all, and she looked a mute reproach. "Well? How soon?" impatiently reiterated her sister. How soon? To leave for evermore the old familiar scenes, the peaceful glades--every spot hallowed by memories and associations? To take a last farewell of the only life she had ever known, to fling it aside like a worn-out garment? Was it possible that any one, even with a bright new existence opening before her, could be so eager to turn the page that all she could say or think of was "How soon?" It wounded Sue to her heart's core to hear the peremptory tone and meet the unabashed gaze. She could not speak,--and the next minute she felt an arm steal round her waist, and a cheek was laid on hers. It was only Leo, but Sue never said "only Leo" from that moment. She took the little hand and fondled it; she used it to wipe her own tears away. "Hi, Lion, Lion?" said Paul, looking under the table again. * * * * * "Is it settled? Is it decided?" Later on in the day Leo, finding Sybil by herself, returned to the mooted point. "About London? Why, of course. When our sovereign lady gives the word of command, don't you know there is nothing for it but to obey? Sue wrote by the first post." "And when are we to go? When?" "You are as keen as Maud, I declare. Well, _I_ am rather sorry to leave the old place----"