"I must go," he said, drawing out a shabby silver watch--he was always intending to treat himself to a better one, but there was a good deal of distress in Wareborough this winter--"I have a confirmation class at half-past six, and three sick people to see before that. Oh, by-the-bye, Eugenia, how did your party go off last night?" "I never know what people mean by things `going off,'" said Eugenia, rather superciliously. "If you mean to ask me if I enjoyed myself, that is quite another thing." Frank Thurston laughed. He always felt pleasantly good-humoured and "superior" when Miss Laurence's feathers showed signs of becoming ruffled. "I suppose I may infer from that that you _did_ enjoy yourself," he replied, amiably. "But I mustn't stay to hear your adventures, even if they were in my line, which they are not likely to be. You must be anxious to narrate them to Sydney, however, so I must be off." He shook hands with both sisters quickly, and left them; but, somehow, Eugenia no longer felt eager to "talk it all over" with Sydney. As the door closed on their visitor, she strolled to the window and stood there without speaking for some minutes, looking out at the garden. Sydney, contrary to her usual habit, had seated herself--out-door wraps, muddy boots, and all--near the fire, and her sister's silence surprised her. "Did you _not_ enjoy yourself last night, Eugenia?" she said at length, with some hesitation. "I don't know," was the reply. The words were ungracious, but the tone wearied and dispirited. "Is anything the matter?" asked Sydney again, after waiting to see if Eugenia had nothing more to say. "Oh no--nothing. I am only cross. Don't mind me, Sydney. I'll tell you all there is to tell when I'm in a better humour. Oh, Sydney!" she broke off, abruptly, "how dreadfully ugly this garden is!" She was still staring out of the window. "I do hate this sort of half-town half-country garden. I wish you hated things too, sometimes, Sydney--it would be a comfort to me." "Would it?" said the younger girl, quietly. "I am not so sure of that." But she got up from her seat as she spoke, and, crossing the room to her sister, stood beside her at the window. There seemed something soothing in her near presence. Eugenia's face cleared a little.