Cyril began to feel less happy. The walk was nearly at an end, too. Some of the light and cheerfulness seemed to fade out of the landscape; a chill breath permeated the summer air. But Audrey went on talking in her lively, girlish way. She was quite unconscious of the sombre tinge that had stolen over Cyril's thoughts. 'Yes, to-morrow we shall be more than a hundred miles away; and the next day you will be _en route_ for Cornwall.' 'I suppose so.' 'You will have a very pleasant time, I hope.' 'Oh, I daresay it will be pleasant enough; the house will be full of company--at least, Hackett says so. His people are very hospitable.' 'Are there any daughters?' 'Oh yes; there are three girls--the three Graces, as they were called when they came up to Commemoration.' 'Indeed; were they so handsome?' 'Some of our men thought so,' with a fine air of indifference. 'I know Baker was smitten with one of them; it is going to be a match, I believe. That is Henrietta, the eldest.' 'I suppose she was the handsomest?' 'Oh dear no! Miss Laura is far better looking; and so is the youngest, Miss Frances. In my opinion Miss Frances is far more taking than either of her sisters.' 'Oh, indeed! I think you will have a pleasant time, Mr. Blake.' 'Well, I cannot say I am looking forward to it. I am afraid it will be rather a bore than otherwise. I would much rather go on working.' 'I don't think you would find Rutherford very lively.' 'Oh, I did not mean that!' with a reproachful glance at her that Audrey found rather embarrassing. 'You surely could not have thought I wished to remain here now'--a dangerous emphasis on 'now.' 'Why, it would be the abomination of desolation, a howling wilderness.' 'I thought you were fond of Rutherford.' Audrey was not particularly brilliant in her remarks just now; she was not good at this sort of fencing. She had a dim idea that she ought to discourage this sort of thing; but she did so hate snubbing anyone, and, in spite of his youth, Mr. Blake was rather formidable. 'So I do--I love Rutherford!' he returned, with such vehemence that Audrey was startled, and Booty tried anxiously to lick him again. 'It was a blessed day that brought us all here--I wonder how often I say that to myself--but all the same----' he paused, seemed to recollect himself, and went on--'it must be very dull in vacation time.' 'Oh yes, of course,' she said quickly. It was rather a tame conclusion to his sentence; but Audrey breathed more freely. She was almost glad they had reached Rutherford, and that in a few minutes Woodcote would be in view. They were both a little silent after this, and by and by Cyril put Booty down. 'Good-bye,' observed Audrey very gently, as she extended her hand. 'Thank you so much for being so good to Booty; and please give my love to your mother and Mollie.'