“Have you seen May lately?” asked Miss Adene. “And what is the news from Isingford?” “May has been visiting a good deal this summer, so I only saw her now and then,” answered Sheila; “and as for news, there is not so very much. Perhaps you have heard that Lionel Benson is engaged to my cousin Raby?” “No; I had not heard that.” “Yes. I rather think it was the fire that did it, though it wasn’t given out till three months afterwards. I think they are all very pleased, and she will be married soon, for he has plenty of money. He is in the business, you know. It isn’t a very interesting engagement, but Raby seems quite happy. I suppose it’s all right.” “They are two handsome young people, and know each other well. It ought to turn out happily, I think. And how about Cyril?” asked Miss Adene, with a little quick glance, which Sheila met and answered by a flashing smile. “Oh, Cyril! Well, he is still idling about at home, talking of the wonders he means to do some day, and they all believe in him as much as ever, I think.” A little smile curved Miss Adene’s lips. “Don’t be merciless, little girl. Perhaps he may astonish the world yet!” “He astonished some of us the day of the fire. Miss Adene, I can speak to you, because you’re not a relation whose feelings have to be spared. But _do_ you believe that when he dashed off like that, fighting his way out and knocking everybody down, he had the least intention of going for help? You know he says he was going for the fire-escape, and people believe it now. Lionel Benson won’t say it’s a lie because of Raby, and though North always looks as grim as grim when the thing is mentioned, he does not contradict. After all, Cyril is his brother. But Oscar and I know that he rushed straight home. Of course, he _may_ have seen somebody and sent a message, but somehow I can’t believe that he was thinking of anything but saving his own precious skin. It makes me so wild with Cyril. What do you think about it? You saw it all.” “Well, Sheila, perhaps the best way is not to think too much about it. We all have our faults and failings, and we must beware of judging those of other people too harshly. The thing is over and done with now, and we are not set as judges over each other. If Cyril is trying to atone for an error in the past, it would be better to try and excuse it, and not think too harshly of him.” “I think he’s just as conceited as ever. I don’t think he’s a bit ashamed. Miss Adene, do you know, I rather think he would like to marry May. He is always going over there when she is at home. But he _will_ get a good snubbing if he tries. May would not touch him with a pair of tongs!” “My dear child!” said Miss Adene, laughing, and then she added, “I had an idea that Cyril was attached to Effie.” Sheila shrugged up her shoulders.