During that week, too, Comethup was left very much with the captain, for 'Linda, without warning, broke several engagements she had made to go out with them, pleading afterward that she had had headaches or that there had been work to be done. One evening, as Comethup, after waiting all day in the hope of seeing her, was making his way to her house he met his cousin Brian swinging out through the gates. They stopped, in mutual surprise, and then Brian linked his arm in that of the other and began to lead him away. "What a lucky meeting!" he exclaimed. "I was just wondering what I was to do with myself all the evening, and how I was to pass the time until I could decently go to bed. Come along. What shall we do?" "I'm afraid you must excuse me," said Comethup. "I can't join you to-night; I'm just going to see 'Linda." "I've just seen her," said Brian, looking at him with a smile. "You didn't tell me, you rogue, anything about the business." "What business?" asked Comethup, a little coldly. "Why, your engagement, of course. Well, I congratulate you. Our little friend has certainly grown into a lovely woman, but she always gave promise of that. My dear boy, you come in for all the good things; what _have_ you done to deserve them?" "Yes, I suppose I'm very lucky," said Comethup. He hesitated for a moment, and then held out his hand. "Good-night!" "Oh, but it's no use your going in now," said Brian; "she's gone to bed; got a headache or something of the kind. You won't be able to see her." "Well, I'm going to the house at all events," said Comethup doggedly; "I can at least inquire how she is. Good-night!" "Good-night," said Brian, and shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Comethup went through the garden, and stood under the balcony. A light was burning in the room in which he had once sat with 'Linda, but the long French windows were closed. He climbed the steps and walked to the windows and looked in; Mrs. Dawson sat beside the table sewing. He knocked upon the pane, and then thrust open the window and walked in. She looked up quietly, letting her work rest under her hands in her lap. For a moment neither of them spoke. "'Linda?" he asked at last. "Where is she?" "She's gone to her room," replied the woman, looking at him in some surprise. "But she can not have gone long, and I want to see her," said Comethup. "She gave me strict instructions she was not to be disturbed." "Ah! but she didn't know that I was coming to her. I must see her; I haven't seen her all day, although she promised to meet me." The woman rose slowly from her seat and laid her work on the table; she came toward him, looking at him with a curious intentness. "You haven't seen her all day? Then who was with her in the garden just now, and why did she run in crying? I saw that, although she hid her face from me."