'No, dearest, it is only natural,' answered Hammond. 'I believe if all the happy lovers in this world could be questioned, at least half of them would confess to having thought very little about each other at first meeting. They meet, and touch hands, and part again, and never guess the mystery of the future, which wraps them round like a cloud, never say of each other. There is my fate; and then they meet again, and again, as hazard wills, and never know that they are drifting to their doom.' Mary rang bells and gave orders, just as she had done in that summer gloaming a year ago. The young men had arrived just at the same hour, on the stroke of nine, when the eight o'clock dinner was over and done with; for a _tête-à-tête_ meal with Fräulein Müller was not a feast to be prolonged on account of its felicity. Perhaps they had so contrived as to arrive exactly at this hour. Lady Maulevrier received them both with extreme cordiality. But the young men saw a change for the worse in the invalid since the spring. The face was thinner, the eyes too bright, the flush upon the hollow cheek had a hectic tinge, the voice was feebler. Hammond was reminded of a falcon or an eagle pining and wasting in a cage. 'I am very glad to see you, Mr. Hammond,' said Lady Maulevrier, giving him her hand, and addressing him with unwonted cordiality. 'It was a happy thought that brought you and Maulevrier here. When an old woman is as near the grave as I am her relatives ought to look after her. I shall be glad to have a little private conversation with you to-morrow, Mr. Hammond, if you can spare me a few minutes.' 'As many hours, if your ladyship pleases,' said Hammond. 'My time is entirely at your service.' 'Oh, no, you will want to be roaming about the hills with Mary, discussing your plans for the future. I shall not encroach too much on your time. But I am very glad you are here.' 'We shall only trespass on you for a few days,' said Maulevrier, 'just a flying visit.' 'How is it that you are not both at Henley?' asked Mary. 'I thought all the world was at Henley.' 'Who is Henley? what is Henley?' demanded Maulevrier, pretending ignorance. 'I believe Maulevrier has lost so much money backing his college boat on previous occasions that he is glad to run away from the regatta this year,' said Hammond. 'I have a sister there,' replied his friend. 'That's an all-sufficient explanation. When a fellow's women-kind take to going to races and regattas it is high time for _him_ to stop away.' 'Have you seen Lesbia lately?' asked his grandmother. 'About ten days ago.' 'And did she seem happy?' Maulevrier shrugged his shoulders. 'She was vacillating between the refusal or the acceptance of a million of money and four or five fine houses. I don't know whether that condition of mind means happiness. I should call it an intermediate state.' 'Why do you make silly jokes about serious questions? Do you think Lesbia means to accept this Mr. Smithson?'