“What, going out again--so soon? You said there was company!” he cried. She came nearer and stood at the furthest corner of his writing-desk, her small, gray-gloved hand resting on the corner. “Yes--the Bentleys,” she said. “They have come to take me to Orange Grove for a week. There is to be quite a gay party there. I expect I shall enjoy it very much.” “No doubt,” he said with sudden stiffness. He had risen, and stood with one hand on the back of his chair, looking keenly into her face, which had gone crimson as she recognized her papers scattered about on his desk. “But,” he continued, reproachfully, “are you going to give up your riding-lessons so soon?” “Oh, no! I spoke of that, and Cameron Bentley promised to take me every day.” “Ah!” he laughed; but it was mirthless, and the tone was unconsciously bitter with which he added: “A most agreeable substitute for your elderly guardian, Sweetheart.” “Oh, no; I do not think so,” Thea answered, sweetly. The frank, blue eyes looked at him a moment--almost tenderly, it seemed to him--then the long-fringed lashes fell, as she added: “I hope you will come to Orange Grove sometimes while I am there--if not, I must say good-bye for a week.” “Good-bye, then,” he replied, coldly, it seemed to her. With a rapid step he crossed the space that intervened between them and caught both her hands in his, and stooping down, would have pressed his lips to hers; but Thea swiftly drew back from him, exclaiming, saucily: “No, no; you are not really my brother, you know. It is only make-believe.” “I beg your pardon,” he said, flushing hotly, and instantly releasing the little hands. “I forgive you,” she answered, laughing lightly, and turning to go; but Norman followed her out into the hall. “I will pay my respects to your friends,” he said, longing for a look at young Bentley, whom he remembered such a short while back as a boy. Now, doubtless, he was sprouting a young mustache, and aspiring to Thea West’s favor. There was Miss Bentley, too, a handsome girl of twenty-five, who was always so cordial when they met. Decidedly he ought to go in and speak to her a moment, and he was gratified at her eager pleasure when he entered. “It is an honor we did not expect--to have you lay aside your pen to welcome us giddy girls,” she cried, brightly. “But perhaps you have come to scold us for taking Miss West away from her riding-lessons.” “Not at all, since she has found a better teacher,” he replied, bowing to Cameron Bentley, and adding: “We shall miss her, of course, but old folks, like my mother and myself, must not stand in the way of her enjoyment.” “Old folks? The idea!” Nell Bentley cried, boisterously, “Why, Diana has been dying to ask you to join our party, but was afraid, knowing you would decline.” Miss Bentley colored slightly, but stood her ground, and turning to him, said: “Will you join us? Since Nell has betrayed me, I will not deny that she has spoken the truth.”