"He said, `Miss Gifford, I presume. I have called to ask if you will be kind enough to address a small parcel for Miss Rhodes.' I said, `Wouldn't it be better if I gave you her address?' He said, `I should prefer if you wrote it yourself.' I said, `I will do so with pleasure. Good morning.' He said, `Good morning.' He then took up his hat and departed. He showed himself out, and shut the door after him. I went upstairs and took off my things." "He didn't stay long then?" "About three minutes, I should say, perhaps four; I can't tell you to a second, unfortunately. I didn't look at the clock." Cecil laughed, half apologetic, half relieved. "Oh, well, you needn't be sarcastic. Naturally I wanted to know. I couldn't make it out when I saw your writing, for you had given me the scarf--I'm going to buy your present at the sales, by the way--but, of course, when I took off the paper, there was a message inside. I was expecting that present." "I hope it was very nice?" "Oh, yes--yes! A brooch," Cecil said carelessly. Claire hoped it was not the insignificant little golden bar which she was wearing at the moment, but she had never seen it before, and Cecil's jewellery was of the most limited description. She determined to ask no more questions on the subject, since evidently none were desired. Cecil helped herself to a second scone, and asked suddenly-- "Why didn't he sit down?" "It wasn't necessary, was it? He gave his message, and then there was nothing to say. I wasn't going to make conversation." "You didn't like him!" cried Cecil, but she laughed as she spoke, and her face relaxed; it was evident that she was more pleased than disconcerted at her friend's lack of approval. "You're no good at hiding your feelings, Claire; your voice gives you away as well as your face. _Why_ didn't you like Major Carew? I suppose you don't deny that he is a handsome man?" "I don't think I care about handsome men," said Claire, seeing before her a clean-shaven face which could lay no claims to beauty, but in comparison with which the Major's coarse good looks were abhorrent in her eyes. "Prefer men plain, I suppose? Well, I don't; I shouldn't like Frank half so much, if he didn't look so big and imposing. And other people admire him, too. People stare at him as we pass. I suppose you have guessed that it is with him that I've been going out? There didn't seem any need to speak of it before, but during the rest of the holidays you might expect me to go about with you, and sometimes--often, I hope, I'll be engaged, so it's just as well to explain. We can do things together in the morning, but naturally--" "Yes, of course; I quite understand. Don't worry about me, Cecil. I'd love you to have a good time. Are you--are you engaged to him, dear?" There was in her voice that soft, almost awed note with which an unengaged girl regards a companion who has actually plighted her troth. Cecil softened at the sound.