Cora made no reply to this, seeming lost in thought. They walked on for a moment in silence. But Celine Leroque did not walk on. She dropped her package and, stooping to recover it, cast a swift glance after the pair. They were sauntering slowly down the hedgerow walk, their backs toward her. Probably the falling parcel had reminded the French maid of something forgotten, for she turned swiftly, silently, and without any of her previous awkwardness retraced her steps and disappeared beyond the stile. "What's the row, Co.?" asked Lucian, kicking a pebble with his boot toe. "You are getting restive early in the game. Can't you keep to the track for another two months?" "No." "What then?" "This. We must get that fool out of the way." "Meaning who?" "She, of course--Ellen Arthur. The woman will make a raving maniac of me in two months more." "By Jove! and of me, too, if I don't get out of this." "We must get rid of her." "How?" "I don't know--somehow, anyhow." "And then?" "And then--" she gave him a side glance, and laughed unpleasantly. "And then? You have a plan, my blonde. Out with it; I am a listener." And he did listen. Slowly down the hedgerow path they paced, and at the end, halted and stood for a time in earnest consultation. There was some difference of opinion, but the difference became adjusted. And they turned toward the house, evidently satisfied with the result of the morning's consultation. Not long after, Miss Arthur's maid returned also. "I see by the papers that Dr. LeGuise has come back from Europe, Cora," announced Mr. Davlin from his seat at the lunch table that day. "Dr. LeGuise! how delightful! Now one will not be afraid to be sick--our old family physician, you know," to Miss Arthur; "and _so_ skillful. He has been in Europe a year. The dear man, how I long to see him!" "Well!" laughed Lucian, "I will carry him any amount of affection, providing it is not too bulky. I find that I must run up to the city to-morrow, and of course will look him up." "Oh!" eagerly, "and find out if he saw the D'Arcys in Paris; and those delightful Trevanions!" Then, regretfully, "can't you stay another week, dear?" "Out of the question, Co., much as I regret it," glancing expressively at Miss Arthur. "But I shan't forget you all." "Pray do not," simpered the spinster. "And when do you return?" "Not for two or three weeks, I fear. But rest assured I shall lose no time, when once I am at liberty." During his lazy, good-humored moments, Mr. Davlin had made most ridiculous love to Miss Arthur, and that lady had not been behind in doing her part. Now, strange to say, the face which she bent over her napkin wore upon it a look, not of sorrow, but of relief. And why? CHAPTER XIV. WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS. "Take especial care with my toilet this morning, Celine," drawled Miss Arthur, as she sat before a mirror in her luxuriously appointed dressing-room.