"No, brainless one," said Dick; "the young earl, Lord Angleford. Rather a curious sort of customer, I should fancy, for nobody seems to know where he has been, or where he is. Left England suddenly--kind of disappearance. They couldn't find him in time for the funeral, and he's away still; but he's sent orders that this place--the beggar's got three or four others in England and elsewhere, I believe--should be put in fighting trim--water supply, new stables, electric light--the whole bag of tricks. And I--I who speak to you--am going to be a kind of clerk of the works. No need to go on your knees to me, Falconer; just simply bow respectfully. You will find no alteration in me. I shall be as pleasant and affable as ever. No pride in me." "Thank you--thank you," said Falconer, with exaggerated meekness. "But--pardon the curiosity of an humble friend--I don't quite see where Miss Lorton comes in." "Oh, it's this way," said Dick, reaching for his pipe--for your engineer, more even than other men, must have his smoke immediately after he has stoked: "the place is empty--nobody but caretakers and a few servants--and the agent has offered me the use of one of the lodges. There is no accommodation at the inn, I understand." "I see," said Falconer. "Just so, perspicacious one. It happens to be a tiny-sized lodge, with two or three bedrooms. My idea is that Nell and I could take possession of the lodge, hire a slavey from the village, and have a good time of it." "Pleasure and business combined," said Falconer. "And it will be nice, when the Buildings are as hot as--as a baker's oven, to think of Miss Lorton strolling through the woods--there must be woods, of course--or sitting with a book beside the stream--for equally, of course, there is a stream." "Get your fiddle and play us a 'Te Deum' for the occasion," said Dick suddenly. When Falconer had left the room, Nell told Dick of Lady Wolfer's visit. "Oh!" he said, by no means delightedly. "And wants you to go and live with her; or offered to make us an allowance, I suppose? At any rate, I won't have anything of that kind, Nell," he added, with fraternal despotism. "You need not be afraid. I shall not go--there are reasons----" She turned away to hide the sudden blush. "And I am as proud as you, Dick. I should like to ask Mr. Falconer to come down to us at this place. He has not been looking well lately." Dick shook his head. "No, poor beggar! I'm afraid he's in a bad way. Do you hear him cough at night? It's worse than he pretends." "Hush!" said Nell warningly, as the musician reentered, his violin held lovingly under his arm. Soon the small room was filled with the strains of jubilant music--a "Te Deum" of thanksgiving and rejoicing. "That's for you," he said.