“He will be here by the last train,” he said, in the tone of one who is continuing a conversation rather than beginning one. “Captain Lindon, do you mean?” “Yes—Captain Lindon,” said Arthur: “I said ‘he,’ because I fancied we were talking about him. The Earl told me he comes to-night, though _to-morrow_ is the day when he will know about the Commission that he’s hoping for. I wonder he doesn’t stay another day to hear the result, if he’s really so anxious about it as the Earl believes he is.” “He can have a telegram sent after him,” I said: “but it’s not very soldier-like, running away from possible bad news!” “He’s a very good fellow,” said Arthur: “but I confess it would be good news for _me_, if he got his Commission, and his Marching Orders, all at once! I wish him all happiness—with _one_ exception. Good night!” (We had reached home by this time.) “I’m not good company to-night—better be alone.” It was much the same, next day. Arthur declared he wasn’t fit for Society, and I had to set forth alone for an afternoon-stroll. I took the road to the Station, and, at the point where the road from the ‘Hall’ joined it, I paused, seeing my friends in the distance, seemingly bound for the same goal. “Will you join us?” the Earl said, after I had exchanged greetings with him, and Lady Muriel, and Captain Lindon. “This restless young man is expecting a telegram, and we are going to the Station to meet it.” “There is also a restless young woman in the case,” Lady Muriel added. “That goes without saying, my child,” said her father. “Women are _always_ restless!” “For generous appreciation of all one’s _best_ qualities,” his daughter impressively remarked, “there’s nothing to compare with a father, is there, Eric?” “Cousins are not ‘in it,’” said Eric: and then somehow the conversation lapsed into two duologues, the younger folk taking the lead, and the two old men following with less eager steps. “And when are we to see your little friends again?” said the Earl. “They are singularly attractive children.” “I shall be delighted to bring them, when I can,” I said. “But I don’t know, myself, when I am likely to see them again.” “I’m not going to question you,” said the Earl: “but there’s no harm in mentioning that Muriel is simply tormented with curiosity! We know most of the people about here, and she has been vainly trying to guess what house they can possibly be staying at.” “Some day I may be able to enlighten her: but just at present——” “Thanks. She must bear it as best she can. _I_ tell her it’s a grand opportunity for practising _patience_. But she hardly sees it from that point of view. Why, there _are_ the children!”