"Can't think why your uncle is always poking about down there. He's making her a fence now, but I told her it wasn't necessary; she has a nice iron railing. What else could she want? And he strikes me as getting quite doddery—makes eyes at her. Don't laugh! She finds him rather a bore, between ourselves; but he turns up nearly every day, she tells me." "Poor Uncle Ted! Why shouldn't he like to talk to her as much as you do?" Sidney's eyes were mischievous, but for once Austin did not join in her humour. "I hope I shan't be so garrulous when I get to his age," he muttered. In accordance with her promise, Sidney went up to Thanning Towers the next morning, but though Mrs. de Cressiers was unfeignedly glad to see her, nothing would induce her to call upon Mrs. Norman that same day. "It's perfectly ridiculous, Sidney. Of course, I know that Austin has sent you to me. He seems quite infatuated with her. And it is a thousand pities. I have heard all about her in town. She married her husband for the sake of a home, neglected him whilst alive, and now poses as a broken-hearted widow. She couldn't be bothered to bring up her own child; found her an encumbrance when travelling about, and she has been brought up entirely by her father's family. Why she has come down here, I cannot fathom. She has five hundred a year of her own, but has very extravagant tastes. Now, is she a suitable wife for Austin?" "I should see her and judge for myself," said Sidney craftily. Then she added quietly: "I think if you oppose Austin in the matter you will perhaps hurry him into an engagement with her, when otherwise the acquaintance may die a natural death." Mrs. de Cressiers sighed. "I wish you and Austin would make a match of it. He is really fond of you, Sidney." Sidney laughed gaily. "As a sister, nothing more. I am much too old for him. He is a mere boy. I couldn't marry anyone younger than myself." "Isn't this woman older than you?" "I don't think it will come to anything. Uncle Ted is as often there as Austin. It's most amusing. But I'm afraid they're beginning to dislike each other heartily." "Oh, I know her kind." Mrs. de Cressiers' tone was contemptuous. Then she said with deliberation: "I shall call on her to-morrow afternoon, and you must come with me." "Oh, please not! I can't help thinking that she doesn't like me." "Her likes or her dislikes cannot affect you. I will call for you in the carriage at three o'clock, and I shall stay ten minutes with her, not a moment more; and then you must come back to tea with me." "You are so masterful," murmured Sidney. She told Austin later of the result of her visit. He was satisfied. "I said to her the mother was generally rather done up by her visits to town, so if she goes to-morrow it will be all right. And I'm glad you're going too, for you will prevent mother from being ''igh and 'aughty,' as our old nurse used to say."