"Only two or three gentlemen; never mind your clothes," said Eugenia, lightly; and then she went to send a message to Frank, still in the dining-room, deep in a discussion with her father and Mr Foulkes. It was rather unlucky, she said to herself again, as she walked slowly along the passage, this unexpected appearance of Gerald's. Of course it didn't really matter about his clothes, but he did look rather rough, and papa would be sure to introduce him to Captain Chancellor as one of their most intimate friends; indeed, any one might see he considered himself such from his addressing her by her Christian name. Eugenia did not feel quite sure that she liked it; three years made a difference in that sort of thing; still, it might seem unkind, and might vex the others, if she were to give him a hint by calling him "Mr Thurston." With Sydney, of course, it was different--at this point in her meditations she ran against Sydney, just coming to inquire what had detained her so long; could she not find the song she wanted? Captain Chancellor had come in and Mr Payne, and Sydney didn't like the task of entertaining two gentlemen all alone. Eugenia's news threw her into a state of great excitement; she readily undertook the pleasant task of telling Frank, and Miss Laurence returned to the drawing-room. Gerald was not left long alone. In two minutes he heard his brother's voice, and felt Frank's hand shaking his with boyish vehemence. Sydney was there too--Sydney, just what he had expected to find her, fair and calm and sweet, the same as a woman that she had been as a girl. "Frank _would_ make me come with him," she said apologetically, as she shook hands; "dear Gerald, we are so pleased to have you back again." Mr Thurston stooped and kissed her, and Sydney accepted it quite simply as his brotherly right. There was no doubt about the cordiality of the welcome of these two young people, nor of that of Mr Laurence, who soon joined them, and Gerald's spirits began to rise. "Had we not better go back to the drawing-room?" said Sydney, when some minutes had been spent in the eager cross-questioning that always succeeds a long-looked-for arrival. "Eugenia is alone there with those three gentlemen, and she may not like it."