“That fellow Lawrence is off again—going back to India to kill a few more tigers—never knew such a chap—can’t stay quiet scarcely a month—pity he doesn’t look after his estate at home, I think, instead of gadding off over the seas again, and I nearly told him so.” Mrs Adair, at the first words, had looked up in surprise, but Paddy, who was interested in a small sailing boat at the window, turned and covertly watched Eileen. As she half expected, she saw her turn deadly pale, as if the news were a shock, and Paddy knew at once that Lawrence had not told her the evening of the dance, although his plans were already formed, and she hated him yet more vigorously. Meanwhile, Mrs Adair asked wonderingly: “Are you sure you are right, dear! Nothing was said about it the evening of the dance.” “I had it from Lawrence himself half an hour ago. I asked him if he would aid me in getting something done to the drainage in Omeath, and he said he would give me a subscription, but he was going away himself for some time. He then told me he was going to India in three weeks.” Eileen looked up. A sudden thought had come to her. “It must have been decided in a great hurry?” she said a little questioningly, and hung on the General’s reply. “No,” came only too promptly. “It was all arranged before he came back to Omeath. I don’t know why he did not mention it sooner, but he is never one to talk of his arrangements. If I had only known, I would have hurried on this scheme of sanitation, for I want his personal support as well as his money. It is very tiresome. Bless the man! he’s like a wandering organ-grinder.” There was a pause, and presently Eileen rose and left the room. Her mother’s eyes followed her with a look of suffering, but Paddy bit her teeth together and said under her breath: “I’ll kill him yet.” Half an hour later they all sat down to lunch, and Eileen joined them with just her usual calm manner; only the shadows under her eyes had deepened, and she seemed to avoid every one’s glance. After lunch she and Paddy were alone for a few minutes, and Paddy asked with seeming carelessness: “Didn’t Lawrence tell you he was going to India, shortly?” “I don’t think so,” very quietly. “He may have, but if so I didn’t catch what he was saying. “I am not very surprised,” she continued with an effort, “as he said something about not staying at home long when they first returned.” Paddy was non-plussed. She had hardly expected Eileen to take it so calmly, and being at a loss for an answer she wisely dropped the subject. Presently she went in search of Jack. “Have you heard that Lawrence is going to India in three weeks?” she asked him. “The General told me this morning,” replied Jack. “I can’t say I’m particularly sorry.” He was sitting on a gate that overlooked the bay, and Paddy leaned against the top rail beside him. “I didn’t suppose you would be,” she retorted; “but it’s not very nice for Eileen.”