Eugenia seldom needed to try twice when she really wished to please or mollify; even the apparently accidental coupling of her sister's name with his did its work. Frank Thurston's tone was much more gracious as he proceeded to gratify her curiosity. "Good news!" he repeated; "I should rather think it was good news. I have just heard from Gerald, Eugenia. He is home again--all but home again, at least. His letter was posted at Southampton by himself. He may be here any time now--sure to be in a few days." "Gerald back again!" exclaimed Eugenia, with considerable surprise. "I had no idea there was any chance of his coming so soon. How delighted you will be to see him again, Frank." She wished to be cordial, but her tone sounded slightly forced, and evidently did not satisfy the young clergyman. There seemed a little inquiry in his voice and manner as he replied-- "Of course I shall be. But not only I: I am sure your father, for one, will be glad to hear it. Gerald is one of the few men I know who is thoroughly liked and respected `in his own country.' I am sure he will be heartily welcomed home again to Wareborough. You two used to be very fond of him in the old days. He didn't tease you as much as I did. Dear old fellow!" "He was very good to Sydney and me--always. We shall all be delighted to see him again," said Eugenia, rousing herself to speak as heartily as she saw was expected of her. "Dear me," she went on, thoughtfully, "it is three years since he went away!" "He will hardly know us again," said Sydney. "I was scarcely fifteen then." "Yet you are less altered than Eugenia," observed Mr Thurston. It was true. The younger girl, though not quite as tall as her sister, might easily have been taken for the elder. She had reached her full height at an earlier age than Eugenia, her figure was rounder, her expression of face less changeful. "Suppose we change characters--Sydney passing for me and I for her--when Gerald first sees us?" suggested Miss Laurence. She spoke idly; she was not prepared for Frank's hasty reply. "No, indeed. I should not like it at all," he exclaimed abruptly. Eugenia raised her head and looked at him; her eyes opened to their widest. He coloured a little. "I mean to say," he went on, hurriedly and rather incoherently, "I mean--it would be nonsense. He could not mistake you, and I don't like practical jokes--I thoroughly disapprove of them," he had quite recovered himself by now. "They are objectionable in every way; they offend against both good feeling and good taste." Miss Laurence made no reply. She felt no spirit to-day to argue with Frank, dictatorial though he was, and she did not want to vex Sydney again. She only thought the curate a great bore, and wished he would go. Her silence proved her best ally, for, as no one appeared inclined to dispute his last dictum, Mr Thurston's attention returned to other matters.