"In your cottage. I saw him sitting at your table, and I saw him come out. He looked terribly troubled, just as though he had found out something." He seemed in no wise so much disturbed as she had feared. "It's astonishing how many people are interested in my affairs," he said with grim lightness. "No one so much as I am," she whispered softly. "Bernard, I must tell you something about papa. I had almost forgotten." "Yes. Has he been exercising a landlord's privilege, too?" "Of course not, sir. But, Bernard, people have been talking, and he has heard them, and----" Her face grew troubled, and he stood still. "He suspects, too, does he? Then I certainly cannot force him to become my host." She took hold of both of his hands, and looked up at him pleadingly. "Don't be stupid, Bernard, dear, please. I didn't say that he suspected. Only people have been talking, and of course it leaves an impression. You must make friends with him, you know. Won't you have something to ask him--some day--perhaps?" She turned away, blushing a little, and he was conquered. "Very well, love, I will come then," he said. "Only, please, you must go and tell him directly we get there; and if he would rather not have me for a guest, you must come and let me know. I will sit at no man's table under protest," he added, with a sudden flush of pride. "He'll be very pleased to have you," she said simply. "A few words from me will be quite enough." "Your empire extends further than over my heart, I see," he said, laughing. "There is your father coming round from the stables. Suppose we go to him." They met him face to face in the hall. When he saw who his daughter's companion was he looked for a moment grave. But he had all the courtly instincts of a gentleman of the old school, and though outside he might have acted differently, the man was under his own roof now, and must be treated as a guest. Besides, he had implicit faith in his daughter's judgment. So he held out his hand without hesitation. "Glad to see you, Mr. Maddison. We began to fear that you had deserted us," he said. "I have been away longer than I intended," Bernard Maddison answered quietly. "Of course you dine here," Mr. Thurwell continued, moving away. "You'll find Beaumerville in the library or the smoke room. You know your way about, don't you? My gamekeeper wants to speak to me for a moment. I shan't be long." He crossed the hall, and entered his own room. Helen slipped her arm through her lover's, and led him away in the opposite direction, down a long passage to the other end of the house. "Consider yourself highly favored, sir," she said, pausing with her hand upon one of the furthest doors. "You are the only male being, except my father, who has ever been admitted here."