"But that is not _Paul_;" said Leo, in a low voice. She had herself well in hand, but deep down there were strange emotions at work, stirred by the above. "Do you mean--I wish you would say what you really mean?--I--I sometimes wonder myself----," she stopped. "Oh, you mustn't take all this too seriously, Leo. Don't look at me as if we were a couple of conspirators. It's no use being cross with Maud because she is what she is. She hasn't fine feelings--no one ever thought she had. But Paul has found that out by this time, I dare say; and when his chance comes he can inoculate her with his. At the worst, he has enough for both;"--and having thus summed up the situation and relieved her feelings at the same time, Sybil turned to other matters. "Yet even _she_ sees," cried Leo, inwardly, "she sees something, though she does not know, does not guess what it is. And I who do, oh, how shall I bear it,--how shall I bear it? And this is only the beginning--they haven't yet actually begun the real thing,--they are only looking at it, and he----?" She heard Sue's voice calling her, and thrust aside the "he". Sue wanted a parcel taken to the cottage of an under-gardener, who was ill; and thought that both Henry and his wife would appreciate the attention more if conveyed by one of themselves, than by a servant. Would Leo go? "And ask if Dr. Craig has been, and what he says?" further directed Miss Boldero with a little sigh. She was thinking that perhaps this was the last she would ever have to do with either doctor or patient, and Sue had loved much the gentle routine of her daily life, with its easy benefactions and ministrations,--and now all her world, all the world of which she knew anything, lay in ruins around her. "I'll go," said Leo, taking the parcel. She was ready to go anywhere, and Henry's cottage was only a short way off, one of a cluster at the edge of the lower garden,--so that even if the rain which threatened did come on, she could find shelter--and on this occasion safe shelter. Paul had gone for a ride, and his rides were long; Maud explained that the exercise was good for him. But though thus secure, there was another danger to which no thought had been given, and Leo, whose path at this time seemed beset with pitfalls, on emerging from one cottage room, found herself face to face with a visitor issuing from the other. Dr. Craig had not been able to come himself, but had sent his assistant. The doctor had paused to rub his chin before doing so, but the summons which stayed his own steps was imperative, and it was a hundred chances to one against Tommy's meeting anybody. The Boldero ladies had been very little about of late, and one of them had already visited the sick man that day. He took the risk.