"Haven't you had tea? What have you been doing all day?" she demanded crisply. "You _haven't_ had tea!--Good gracious, I'll make some at once; I had some with George, but I'm quite ready for some more. My word! what a difference a man can make in one's life," she said, suddenly grave. "And to think that I ever talked piffle about not wanting to get married." She bustled round the room singing blithely; she was brimful of happiness. "You needn't be surprised to hear that I'm going to be married quite soon," she said with elaborate carelessness. "Lord! won't people have forty fits? Except for Micky, my crowd don't know I'm engaged yet. I'm going to take George home to see them on Sunday. I've discovered that he's fourth cousin, about ninety times removed, to a baronet, so, perhaps, that will put them all in a good temper with him. My people do love titles! Give them a lord, or something, and it doesn't matter what else he is, or isn't.... You're not listening, Esther." "I am. I heard every word you said." Esther was sitting by the fire with Charlie curled up in her lap; her face looked very sad and thoughtful. So she was to lose June quite soon!--her lips trembled; what was there left for her in all the world? It almost seemed as if time had stood still for a moment, and then suddenly rushed her back again with breathless speed, to leave her bereft of hope and happiness, as she had been before she met Micky. Charlie had been her only friend then. Was he all that was to remain to her now? June watched her across the room. "What are you thinking about?" she asked suddenly; but Esther only shook her head. * * * * * For two days Micky Mellowes never left his rooms, and hardly ate a thing, and for once in his life Driver permitted a spark of anxiety to creep into his dull eyes. He was sure that his master was ill; he tried tempting dishes and alluring cocktails, but Micky refused them all. "My good man, I'm not an invalid," he protested irritably. He hated it, because he knew his agitation was apparent; he tried to settle to read, but whenever a bell rang through the house he started up with racing pulses. She must have got his letter, he knew. If there was any hope for him at all she would write at once or send for him. His nerves began to wear to rags. Sometimes his hopes soared to the skies, to drop to zero again. Once in a fit of despondency he told Driver to pack his bag, as they would be leaving early in the morning. "Yes, sir--where shall we be going, sir?" Driver asked stoically. Micky swore. "You do ask such damned silly questions," he complained irritably. An hour later, when he found Driver packing, he called him a fool, and told him to unpack at once. And so the days dragged away. "Any more posts to-night?" Micky asked jerkily, on the second day. Driver eyed the clock. "There should be one at nine, sir." But nine came, and half-past, and no post.