"Please, please, dear, don't let me be out of your sight all the evening," she whispered. "Impossible to do that, little one," he said quietly. "You ladies will leave the room, you see. Suppose I keep Burwood in sight all the evening, will not that do as well?" "Oh, yes," she whispered eagerly. "Of course." The dinner passed off wonderfully well, everyone seeming to be on the _qui vive_ to keep off anything likely to trench upon the past and the troubles in the house. Aunt Anne did scarcely anything but beam; Sir Cheltnam related anecdotes; and Alison entered into conversation with his brother. In due time the ladies rose, and the three men were left together over their wine, when the conversation went on as easily as if there had been no undercurrent of thought in either breast. "It will be easy enough to keep them apart," thought Neil, as he sipped his coffee. "When we go into the drawing room Bel shall sing some of the old ballads." A calm feeling of restfulness had come over Neil Elthorne, and it was as if his efforts at self-mastery were already bearing fruit, when after a quick glance had passed between Burwood and Alison, the latter rose, went to the window, and looked out, taking the opportunity to glance at his watch. "Very dark," he said. "Nasty drive back for you, Burwood. Want your lamps." "Oh, the mare would find her way home if it were ten times as dark," said Burwood laughingly. "I think I could get safely back without reins. She always turns aside if we meet anything." "Nothing like a good, well-broken horse," said Alison, looking furtively at his watch. "What do you say to joining them in the drawing room?" "By all means," cried Burwood, rising. At that moment the butler entered, and went straight to Neil's chair. "Beg pardon, sir," he whispered. "You are wanted in master's room." Neil started to his feet, and turned to their guest. "You'll excuse me for a few minutes?" he said hurriedly. "Doctors need no excuse," replied the baronet, and Neil hurried out and upstairs to his father's room, expecting and dreading some fresh seizure, but, to his surprise, he found his senior lying back calmly on his couch, ready to salute him with a smile. "I was afraid you were unwell," cried Neil. "No, my boy, no; I've been lying very comfortably. In less pain than usual." "But you are alone." "Yes. Nurse has just gone. You might have met her on the stairs. A message came for her--from Isabel, I suppose. I don't mind. I told her not to hurry; I want to inure myself to being more alone." "And you wanted me, sir?" "Yes, my boy," said Elthorne. "Not particularly; but I knew that you had been seated over your wine for some time, and I thought you would not mind coming up to me for a little while. I get very dull sometimes, my dear boy. You do not mind?" "No, sir, of course not." "Well, don't look at me like that, Neil. It is the doctor examining me to see how I am. I want you to look like my son."