“Oh-h! I see!” cried Helen, archly. “When the cat’s not precisely away, but watching another mouse hole, the mice will play, _n’est ce pas_? Kit, get that small perambulating catechism you’re so fond of to teach you the commandments! I’ve a vague recollection of one that forbids coveting your neighbour’s wife.” By this time Kit was awake to his surroundings; Helen’s rapier voice had pricked his consciousness. “So have I, and it’s one I particularly admire, because if you don’t get thinking things you’ll hardly start doing them. I assure you I have not a neighbour whose wife I envy him! There’s another nice commandment, Helen, about bearing false witness against your neighbour, isn’t there? You’re judging me uncharitably, Helen, the fair! What shall I give you when you marry this Mr. Longworthy?” Kit smiled guilelessly. “Proof that I’m not worth the trouble to remember his name!” said Helen, furiously, tears of rage springing to her eyes. “I could hate you, Christopher Carrington, quite easily, and if ever I do it won’t be well for you!” “You won’t hate me, Nell; you’re too good a sport,” said Kit. “Why should you? I’m the same old Kit you’ve known and liked a little bit for so long!” “Heavens above us, Kit, don’t I know that?” cried Helen, and fairly ran away. CHAPTER XVIII _Made in Heaven_ “Minerva,” said Miss Carrington, “I am not feeling well. I need diversion.” Minerva scanned her mistress critically, and said: “You may be pale, but you don’t look sick. You are probably bothered.” “Do you like him, Minerva?” asked Miss Carrington, peevishly. “He would be called handsome by most people, and his clothes are just about it,” said Minerva, cautiously. “But for what there is about him which isn’t bought I’m not able to say much. No, Miss Carrington, if I was to speak freely I would say that I don’t care for him. Miss Abercrombie’s going to marry him whatever I say, or you, either, so I put it to you: What’s the use of saying it, or thinking it, for that matter? I guess you were worrying over it, instead of sleeping as you might better have done and the result the same, and that’s why you feel sort of used up. Miss Helen’s made up her mind and you may’s well go along with it. I’ve noticed the only thing you can do about a marriage is to order a present for it. What they set out to do, they do for the most part. She’s none of your responsibility, anyway.” “No, that’s true. I shall have her father here in a few days, I hope. But they’ve gone to ride, and I’m certain they will come back with everything settled, Minerva,” said Miss Carrington.