"I can assure you," Wrayson said, smiling, "that I shall make no difficulty about that." "And she doesn't like to be talked to very much," Louise continued. "I will humour her in that also," Wrayson promised. "She is a good sort to let me come here at all." "She is very kind and very considerate," Louise said, "and her life has been a very unhappy one." Wrayson moved his chair a little nearer. "Need we talk about her any more?" he asked. "There is so much I want to say to you about ourselves." She looked at him for a moment, a little sadly, a little wistfully. "Ah! don't," she murmured. "Don't talk about definite things at all. For to-night--to-night only, let us drift!" He smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't be afraid," he said. "I am not going to ask you any questions. I am not going to ask for any explanations. I think that we have passed all that. It is of the future I wanted to speak." "Don't," she begged softly. "Of the past I dare not think, nor of the future. It is only the present which belongs to us." "The present and the future," he answered firmly. She rose suddenly to her feet, and Wrayson instinctively followed her example. They were no longer alone. Two women, who had entered by a door at the further end of the apartment, were slowly approaching them. The foremost was tall and dark, a little slim, perhaps, but with an elegant figure, and a carriage of singular dignity. Her face was youthful, and her brown eyes were soft and clear as the eyes of a girl, but her dark hair was plentifully streaked with grey, and there was about her whole appearance an air of repressed sadness. "This is Mr. Wrayson, is it not?" she asked, in a very sweet voice, but with a strong foreign accent. "We have so few visitors that one can scarcely make a mistake. You are very welcome." She did not offer to shake hands, and Wrayson contented himself with a low bow. "You are very kind," he murmured. "Monsieur le Baron," she remarked, turning to an elderly gentleman who had just entered, "will doubtless find your coming pleasant. The entertainment of three ladies must have seemed at times a little trying. Let me make you gentlemen known to one another, Monsieur Wrayson, Monsieur le Baron de Courcelles. And Ida," she added, turning to her companion, who had moved a few steps apart, "permit that I present to you, also, Mr. Wrayson--Mademoiselle de Courcelles." The conversation for a moment or two followed the obvious lines. Madame de Melbain and Louise had drawn a little apart; a few remarks as to the beauty of the chateâu and its situation passed between Wrayson and the Baron. The name of its owner was mentioned, and Wrayson indicated his acquaintance with her. At the sound of her name, Madame de Melbain turned somewhat abruptly round, and seemed to be listening; but at that moment the door was thrown open, and the major-domo of the household, who had received Wrayson, announced dinner. He directly addressed Madame de Melbain.