Stella looked at him with a smile, and glanced half archly at her uncle. "That was very nice," she said. "Poor flowers! it is a pity they can't know! Can't you tell them? There is a language of flowers, you know!" Mr. Adelstone smiled. He was not accustomed to have his compliments met with such ready wit, and was nonplussed for a moment, while his eyes dropped from her face with a little shifty look. Mr. Etheridge broke the rather embarrassing pause. "Put them in the vase for her, Mr. Adelstone, will you, please, and come and have some breakfast. You can't have had any." He waited until Stella echoed the invitation, then drew up to the table. Stella rang for cup and saucer and plates, and poured him out some coffee; and he plunged into small talk with the greatest ease, his keen eyes watching every graceful turn of Stella's arm, and glancing now and again at the beautiful face. It was very good small talk, and amusing. Mr. Adelstone was one of those men who had seen everything. He talked of the London season that was just coming on, to Stella, who sat and listened, half amused, half puzzled, for London was an unknown land to her, and the string of names, noble and fashionable, which fell from his ready tongue, was entirely strange to her. Then he talked of the coming Academy to Mr. Etheridge, and seemed to know all about the pictures that were going to be exhibited, and which ones would make a stir, and which would fail. Then he addressed himself to Stella again. "You must pay London a visit, Miss Etheridge; there is no place like it the whole world through--not even Paris or Rome." Stella smiled. "It is not very likely that I shall see London for a long time. My uncle does not often go, although it is so near, do you?" "No, no," he assented, "not often." "Perhaps you are to be congratulated," said Mr. Adelstone. "With all its charms, I am glad to get away from it." "You live there?" said Stella. "Yes," he said, quietly, welcoming the faint look of interest in her eyes. "Yes; I live in chambers, as it is called, in one of the old law inns. I am a lawyer!" Stella nodded. "I know. You wear a long black gown and a wig." He smiled. "And address a jury; and do you say 'm'lud' instead of 'my lord,' as people in novels always make barristers say?" "I don't know; perhaps I do," he answered, with a smile; "but I don't address a jury, or have an opportunity of calling a judge 'my lud,' or 'my lord,' often. Most of my work is done at my chambers. I am very glad to get down into the country for a holiday." "Are you going to stay long?" asked Mr. Etheridge, with polite interest. Mr. Adelstone paused a moment, and glanced at Stella before answering. "I don't know," he said. "I meant going back to-day, but--I think I have changed my mind." Stella was only half listening, but the words caused her to start. They were the same as those which Lord Leycester had uttered three nights ago.