She tossed her head. "Thrust me," she said, "an' why not, sure?" [Illustration: "BIDDY, I FEEL ILL, AND I THINK I'LL GO TO BED."] "I knew I could. Well, you'll show Lord St. Alleyne up, and he won't go down again until after Miss O'Callaghan has seen me." "Lord save us!" cried Biddy. "I know," I went on, "that you have your late mistress's happiness at heart, and this will make it safe. It depends upon you whether there is to be a great wedding at Stromore, or the convent for Miss O'Callaghan." [Illustration: "'MISS O'CALLAGHAN TO SEE YE, SORR.'"] "Lord save us!" Biddy cried again, between laughter and tears. "Mrs. O'Callaghan," I said, "is a strange woman, I understand." "She is that!" Biddy interjected. "And therefore this interview must be arranged as best it can. On your life, don't say a word to either of them about his lordship being here!" Biddy's hesitation was only momentary; she promised, and fled from the room. When St. Alleyne came in I saw he had not had much sleep and that his nerves were on the rack, but his manner was as unperturbed as ever. He sat down on the side of my bed and looked at me curiously. "How are you?" he asked. "Perfectly well," I answered; "don't I look it?" "You look a bit flushed, that's all." "And with good cause. Miss O'Callaghan will be here in half an hour." "Thank God!" he said, and walked to the window. He stood silently with his back to me for some time, looking down into the street. Then he said, "How are you going to manage the interview?" "I don't know; if you worry me I shall make a mess of it." "I'm not going to worry you, old chap," he said; "you must just do it your own way." "I saw her yesterday." He swung round and faced me. "What did you think of her?" he asked. "I think," said I, "that you must have been born for each other." His face lit up with a sudden, boyish smile. "Thanks," he said, and turned to the window again. A moment later he stepped back quickly. "There she is," he said, "and my cousin, Mrs. O'Callaghan, with her." "It was just like you," I cried, "to stand there where the whole street could see you." "Don't be angry, Phil," he said, humbly, "she didn't look up." "For heaven's sake get into the next room and shut the door." He came over to me swiftly and rested his hands on my shoulders. "Play up, Phil," he whispered, "for the sake of old times." Then he left me, and the door of the sitting-room closed softly behind him. When I heard footsteps on the stairs and realised that the game had really commenced, the ambiguity of my position overwhelmed me; I wished myself, for a moment, well out of the affair at any price. But the thought of the greater strain upon St. Alleyne, and what it meant to him, restored my composure, and I waited with closed eyes. The door opened, and I heard Biddy's voice say, "Here's Miss O'Callaghan to see ye, sorr." When I looked up, a vision of loveliness greeted my eyes.