"One thing is troubling me, Lady Ogram," said Dyce, in tone of graceful hesitancy. "I feel that it will be a very ill return for all your kindness to rob you of Constance's help and society, which you prize so." The keen old eyes were fixed upon him. "Do you think I am going to live for ever?" sounded abruptly and harshly, though, it was evident, with no harsh intention. "I'm sure I hope--" "Well, we won't talk about it. I must do without Constance, that's all. You'll of course have a house in London, but both of you will often be down here. It's understood. About the end of October. Time enough to make arrangements. I'll settle it with Constance. So to-morrow morning you leave us, on a visit to your parents. I suppose you'll spend a couple of days there?" In his confused mind, Dyce could only fix the thought that Constance had evidently told Lady Ogram of his intention to go to Alverholme. It was plain that those two held very intimate colloquies. "A couple of days," he murmured in reply. "Good. Of course you'll write to me when you're in town again." At luncheon, Lady Ogram talked of Lashmar's departure. Constance, he felt sure, already knew about it. Really, he was treated with somewhat scant ceremony. An obstinate mood fell upon him; he resolved that he would say not a word to Constance of what had passed this morning. If she wished to speak of the proposed date of their marriage, let her broach the subject herself. Through the meal he was taciturn. Miss Bride and he dined alone together that evening. They had not met since mid-day. Dyce was still disinclined for talk; Constance, on the other hand, fell into a cheerful vein of chat, and seemed not at all to notice her companion's lack of amiability. "I shall go by the 8.27," said Dyce, abruptly, towards the end of the meal. "Yes, that's your best train. You'll be at Alverholme before ten o'clock." After dinner, they sat together for scarcely a quarter of an hour, Constance talking of politics. Dyce absolutely silent. Then Miss Bride rose, and offered her hand. "So, good-bye!" She spoke so pleasantly, and looked so kindly, that Lashmar for a moment felt ashamed of himself. He pressed her hand, and endeavoured to speak cordially. "Shall I hear from you?" Constance asked, trying to meet his eyes. "Why, of course, very soon." "Thank you. I shall be very glad." Thus they parted. And Dyce, for a couple of hours, sat smoking and brooding. On the morrow, at luncheon, Lady Ogram mentioned to Constance that May Tomalin would arrive on the following afternoon. She added, presently, that Lord Dymchurch had accepted an invitation to Rivenoak for a day or two in the ensuing week. That morning, the post had brought Constance a letter and a packet. The letter was from Mrs. Toplady, who wrote thus: "Dear Miss Bride,