“Dont think any more about it,” said Marmaduke. “He wont come.” “Oh, let him, if he likes,” said Susanna, impatiently. Marmaduke did not quite sympathize with her sudden recklessness. He hoped that Conolly would have the good sense to keep away. “Look here, Bob,” said she, when they had finished breakfast. “Let us go somewhere to-day. I feel awfully low. Let us have a turn up the river.” “All right,” said Marmaduke, with alacrity. “Whatever you please. How shall we go?” “Anyhow. Let us go to Hampton by train. When we get there we can settle what to do afterward. Can you come now?” “Yes, whenever you are ready.” “Then I will run upstairs and dress. Go out and amuse yourself with that blessed old lawn-mower until I come.” “Yes, I think I will,” said Marmaduke, seriously. “That plot near the gate wants a trimming badly.” “What a silly old chap you are, Bob!” she said, stopping to kiss him on each cheek as she left the room. Marmaduke had become attached to the pursuit of gardening since his domestication. He put on his hat; went out; and set to work on the plot near the gate. The sun was shining brightly; and when he had taken a few turns with the machine he stopped, raising his face to the breeze, and saw Conolly standing so close to him that he started backward, and made a vague movement as if to ward off a blow. Conolly, who seemed amused by the mowing, said quietly: “That machine wants oiling: the clatter prevented you from hearing me come. I have just returned from Carbury Towers. Miss Lind is staying there; and she has asked me to give you a message.” This speech perplexed Marmaduke. He inferred from it that Conolly was ignorant of Susanna’s proceedings, but he had not sufficient effrontery to welcome him unconcernedly at once. So he stood still and stared at him. “I am afraid I have startled you,” Conolly went on, politely. “I found the gate unlocked, and thought it would be an unnecessary waste of time to ring the bell. You have a charming little place here.” “Yes, it’s a pretty little place, isnt it?” said Marmaduke. “A—wont you come in and have a—excuse my bringing you round this way, will you? My snuggery is at the back of the house.” “Thank you; but I had rather not go in. I have a great deal of business to do in town to-day; so I shall just discharge my commission and go.” “At any rate, come into the shade,” said Marmaduke, glancing uneasily toward the windows of the house. “This open place is enough to give us sunstroke.” Conolly followed him to a secluded part of the shrubbery, where they sat down on a bench. “Is there anything up?” said Marmaduke, much oppressed. “Will you excuse my speaking without ceremony?” “Oh, certainly. Fire away!” “Thank you. I must then tell you that the relations between you and Lady Constance are a source of anxiety to her brother. You know the way men feel bound to look after their sisters. You have, I believe, sisters of your own?”