"Her father is a ne'er-do-well," said Mr. Borlace, with a sigh. "Charlie was never anything but a trouble to his family, and broke his wife's heart. She was too good for him. I only saw her once, but this girl is not a bit like her. She takes after her father in her audacious spirits. I suppose I must keep her for the time, but, of course, her father's house is the proper place for her." "I don't think his marriage can be a good thing for her," Sidney said. "But I will tell her you will have her on a visit, or come and tell her yourself. That will be the best way." She led him into the drawing-room. Jockie almost flew into his arms directly she saw him. "You're going to keep me! I see it in your face. I promise I'll be a very angel of goodness. And now, dear Cousin John, tell me where I can wire home for my luggage. Do they send off wires in the village post office?" Sidney slipped away; she thought they would settle down together best if left to themselves. But she was to see a great deal of Jockie Borlace. Early the next morning she arrived and marched in upon Sidney before the Admiral had finished his breakfast. Sidney was discussing the morning's post with him. Jockie was not in the least abashed at the early hour she had disturbed them. "We had our breakfast at the unearthly hour of eight," she said; "and I haven't known what to do with myself since. Cousin John wouldn't let me order the dinner, or do a bit of gardening, and now he has got an old women's club up at the house, and says he prefers to do it alone. And he looked so worried that I promised to make myself scarce till luncheon, and so I've come off to you." The Admiral eyed her critically. "I am sorry for your poor cousin," he remarked. "Are you? For having me, I suppose you mean? But I'm not a worry—really I am not. I can amuse myself in heaps of ways, and if only he would let me into his study, I would be as happy as a king. I love reading, and he has his walls lined with books." "I can lend you books," said Sidney, getting up from the table. "Come with me, and when I have done my housekeeping we will go out for a walk together." She took the girl into the morning-room, which was her special domain. To her surprise, she found it already tenanted. Austin de Cressiers was seated calmly at the table writing a note. He looked up and laughed, then, when he saw Jockie, rose to his feet. Sidney introduced them. "How cheeky of you!" she said. "My notepaper, too! What are you doing?" "I came in through the French window; knew you were at breakfast. And I wanted to leave a note, and hadn't any paper in my pocket. I've had to stay at home to-day, but meant to have hunted. The governor is in one of his ramps! I'm an ill-used, cock-and-henpecked son!" His eyes sought Jockie's. They both laughed. "So you're a fresh importation?" Austin said. "I hope you'll like us."