"I think not, Aunt Bettina. I suppose it was too wet for them to come out." "Have you been drawing?" "Not this gloomy day. I like a good light for it." "It strikes me you have become very idle lately, Miss Sara Davenal! Do you think that time was bestowed upon us to be wasted?" A faint blush rose to Sara's cheek. In these, the early days of her bitter sorrow, she feared she had been idle. What with the shock brought upon her by that ominous secret, and the cruel pain caused by the falsity of Oswald Cray, her tribulation had been well-nigh greater than she could bear. "Ring the bell," said Miss Davenal. Sara rose from her chair and rang it. It was answered by Jessy. "Tell Neal I shall be glad to see him." Neal appeared in answer to the summons. His London journey had been prolonged by the permission of the doctor, and he had but now returned. In he came, just the same as usual, his white necktie spotless, his black clothes without a crease. "So you are back, Neal?" said Miss Davenal. "I am very glad to see you. And pray have you arranged all your business satisfactorily?--secured your share of the money?" "Entirely so, thank you, ma'am," replied Neal, advancing nearer to his mistress that he might be heard. "I am pleased to find all well at home, ma'am." "You have been away longer than you intended to be, Neal." "Yes, ma'am. I wrote to my master stating why it was necessary that I should, if possible, prolong my stay, and he kindly permitted it. I saw Mr. Oswald Cray, ma'am, while I was in London," Neal added as a gratuitous piece of information. "You did what?" asked Miss Davenal, while Sara turned and stood with her back to them, looking at the fire. "I saw Mr. Oswald Cray, ma'am." "Oh, indeed. And where did you see him?" "I met him one night in London, ma'am. He was walking with a young lady." "Saw him walking at night with a young lady?" repeated Miss Bettina, in rather a snappish tone; for as a general rule she did not approve of young ladies and gentlemen walking together, especially at night. "She seemed a very nice young lady, ma'am, young and pretty," continued Neal, who was getting a little exasperated at the face at Miss Sara Davenal being hidden from his view. "I believe it was Miss Allister, the sister of a gentleman with whom Mr. Oswald Cray is very intimate." "Well, I am glad you are back, Neal," concluded Miss Davenal. "Things have gone all at sixes and sevens without you."