"Oh, I shall stay in Paris for a day or two; it's just a good chance to have a look round, and see what the wonderful place is like; I shall do it cheaply, never fear. By the way," he added, as he rose from his seat, "did I tell you that dad is over here? Followed me to London, and we had an affecting reconciliation--tears and all that sort of business. So as I was coming over here he said he'd come too; couldn't bear to be parted from me. I suppose"--this with a laugh--"I suppose I treated the dear old chap rather badly, and I'm glad to be friends with him again; he's not a bad sort, take him altogether. Perhaps you'd better not tell your aunt that we're here; she doesn't love either of us. Good-bye. I won't ask you to save me again, old chap. Write and let me know where you go, and when; the old address in London will find me. Good-bye." Comethup, in his bed that night, after much anxious thought came to a resolution. He fully and firmly made up his mind not to write to Brian again. Had the matter rested solely with himself, he could not have formed such a resolve; but he thought of his aunt, and knowing that it was impossible to tell her anything of the matter, he saw clearly that his duty to her was to keep away from Brian. Boy though he was, and great though his admiration was for his cousin, he yet saw clearly enough into the matter to know that Brian would light-heartedly come to him again and again without any thought of the future. It was with a great sense of relief that he heard his aunt next morning declare that they would leave Paris within a few days. But his troubles were not at an end. Miss Charlotte Carlaw complained that he was moody and silent, and strove in her own kindly fashion to discover what was the matter. "I can see what it is," she said abruptly one morning; "I'm the wrong sort of companion for you. I ought to have known it; I should have been wiser than to tie you to the apron strings of a blind old woman in this fashion. It's been a mistake, and you must forgive me, boy. While I've been wanting to have you near me, I've lost sight of the fact that you, being young and strong, would probably want to be capering about the city alone and having a good time. Well, I warned you what it would be before we started, and you see I was right." "No, indeed, aunt," said Comethup eagerly, "you are quite mistaken. I'm sorry if I have seemed to be bothered about anything; but I'm not, really, and you sha'n't have to complain again. I'm quite sure no one could have a better time than I am having." "Well, I'm not quite satisfied, and I'm afraid I've really been very selfish about the matter. For Heaven's sake, boy, if there's anything you want, or want to do, within reason, say what it is! Or if anything is troubling you, you're surely not afraid of an old woman who's tried to be your friend and who would give a great deal to save you any sorrow?"