The next day was by common consent granted to Roy as a whole holiday. His studies had been carried on partly under the young clergyman, Mr. Kinsland, partly under his father, during the last eighteen months; but a free day seemed only fair, in honour of Denham’s return. The boy was in wild spirits, full of schemes for hunting up old friends in Denham’s company, Denham did not appear at all till after breakfast, just in time to attend _appel_, and Roy, having been withheld from disturbing him, was off on some business of his own. When, after _appel_, he rushed in, it was to find Denham in the Colonel’s chair, with a book open which he was not reading, and with the air of a man who would not be easily dislodged. His face told its own tale; and Roy’s look became suddenly blank. “I’m afraid there is no help for it, Roy. You must give me a day’s grace. I’ve done a good deal of walking, you see;” which was a mild statement of the case. “I thought you’d be rested by this morning.” “Ought! but Morpheus declined to be courted.” “Couldn’t you sleep? And you don’t want to go out again?” “I don’t think a team of horses could drag me a mile. But you will look up the Curtises for me.” “Yes, of course. Where are they? O you don’t know. I’ll find out. Is that it?” “See where Carey is too.” “Carey? Wasn’t it he that had your horse—the horse you ought to have ridden?” “No ‘ought’ in the question. Don’t say a word of that sort to him. I want to know where he is putting up. And—Franklyn——” “Roy, do not make him talk,” as Denham’s hand went over his eyes. “No, ma’am, I won’t. Only just to know—but ’tis all right now. I’ll look everybody up, Den, and don’t you mind about anything till your head is better.” Roy went off, and Lucille came softly to where Mrs. Baron was standing. “So changed!” Mrs. Baron murmured. “_Oui_,” assented Lucille, under her breath. “There are creatures, Madame, that cannot live in captivity.” “Somebody over there is talking not very good sense,” murmured Denham, with a touch of reproof. Lucille stopped instantly, with a flush. The remark had been involuntary, and she had not imagined that he could hear. Roy went the round of a good many returned acquaintances, finding out, as he went, where to go for others. He discovered Franklyn and Carey without difficulty, and in time learnt where the Curtises had bestowed themselves. From one and all he heard one tale as to Denham. Captain Ivor’s kindness and generosity towards all who were in difficulties formed a general theme. “What we should have done, but for him——” was an expression which occurred again and again. Roy no longer wondered that he had been “cleared out” to his last sou.