In spite of the evident good faith of the doctor's question, Wych Hazel's cheeks gave such instant swift answer, that he was fain to turn his eyes away. 'Not the October air,' he went on gravely, 'nor the coloured leaves, nor the sunshine; nor even the exhilaration; but the _exercise_. How is that, compared with a year ago?' 'I am not quite so strong for it, I think,' Hazel answered unwillingly. '_Im_perfectly well,' said Dr. Arthur. 'And for what are you most inclined when the ride is over?'—but again the tell-tale face warned him of dangerous ground. 'I have not been riding much'—she said deprecatingly. 'I am all out of practice.' 'That goes for something. Always supposing that it always used to be so when you happened to be "out of practice." ' Hazel was silent. 'These guardians!' said Dr. Arthur with some emphasis. 'I cannot imagine what Mr. Falkirk was thinking of, when he kept you away all summer, letting you wear yourself out!' 'He did not keep me. I kept myself,' said Wych Hazel. 'Did you! Suppose Mr. Falkirk had kept himself here?' Rollo came to the conference at this point. He knew the reason of his friend's care, for he had questioned him with relation to his professional curiosity the evening before. But he had a clue to Wych Hazel's three days' sleep, which Dr. Arthur could not have. 'Dr. Maryland, I thought you had more sense!' said the girl impatiently. 'The last time you saw me, you said the only thing was to let me have my own way.' 'Depends a little upon what direction the "way" takes,' said Dr. Arthur. 'You don't want another sleep, do you?' 'Thank you,—I have had one.' 'Had one!' Dr. Arthur exclaimed. 'Not like that?' 'Not precisely like that,' said Hazel demurely. 'I have had several different ones.' Dr. Arthur laughed, and gave up his research. 'I begin to comprehend Mr. Falkirk!' he said. 'Dane, if you can brave this lady's displeasure, I wish you would see that she does not overtax herself for three months to come. Nor then, without my permission.' 'But it is miles and miles from here to Chickaree!' said Miss Wych as she ran in. The inconvenience of having two guardians is, that when you have got rid of one you have to face the other. And that other had to be faced at the dinner table to-day. It was well that the twelve miles' ride had not taken down Hazel's strength below the mischief point. Rollo, it must be remarked, had been obliged to gallop back again after very slight tarrying. 'Good evening, Miss Hazel,' said her elder guardian as he met her in the dining room. 'I think I have not seen you since this time yesterday.' 'A little later than this, sir. It was after dinner when we parted.' 'Quite so. Why did we not meet at breakfast? I was here. You were not.' 'No, sir. That seems to have been the reason.' 'Why were you not at home?' 'Well, sir, I was in charge of my other authority, and could not get home till he said the word.' Mr. Falkirk surveyed his ward.