“And what sort of journey did you have?” inquired his mother, as she gave him a cup of tea on his arrival at the house. “Very pleasant,” he answered, though his looks belied his assertion. “And would you care, as you said the other day, to go back to live in London?” asked mischievous Miss Kitty. “I think London is one of the most detestable places on earth,” he replied, stirring his tea as though he were sweeping the Metropolis into the sea. “And did you see any one you knew while you were in town?” inquired his mother. “A lot of people I don’t care a scrap about,” he answered. Feeling that he was not in a fit humour for society, he took himself off to his studio, where he threw himself into an easy chair, and lit the largest pipe in his possession. This he smoked as savagely as if it were responsible for his troubles. By the time the dressing-bell rang, he was more than ever determined to set off for Japan. So strong, however, was the chain which bound him, that, on second thoughts, he came to the conclusion that he would postpone his departure until after the meet at the Churley cross roads on the following Monday. In consequence he spent a miserable Saturday, and it was not until he came out of church on Sunday morning that he was anything like his old self. All through the service he had been paying a greater amount of attention to a neat little toque, and the back of a very shapely head, a few seats in front of him, than was altogether proper in a place of worship. According to custom, the two families united in the porch. “Good-morning, Mr. Henderson,” said Molly, as they shook hands, and then, after they had passed outside and the usual commonplaces had been exchanged, she continued: “What do you think of the state of the weather?” There was more in her speech than met the eye. What she really meant was: “Do you think we shall be able to hunt to-morrow? If so, I am prepared to be kind to you once more.” Godfrey replied that there had been signs of frost early in the morning, but he rejoiced to see that they were going off. “We shall see you to-morrow, I suppose?” she said, as they passed through the lych-gate out into the high road. “Of course,” he answered. “Provided old Benbow doesn’t break his neck in the meantime, I shall be there.” “I am so glad,” she answered, and then, as though she felt that she had said too much, she devoted her conversation during the rest of the walk to Kitty, leaving Godfrey to discuss parish affairs with her father. She had said enough, however, in that short time to transport Godfrey into the seventh heaven of delight; and I venture to think that if any one had been foolish enough to suggest a trip to Japan to him at that moment, it would have been at the peril of his or her life.