"Oh, it is natural, and the Colonel and I get on splendidly together," said the young man, laughing. "When we return the Colonel is going to live with us--or, rather, Audrey and I are going to live with the Colonel." "What is mine is yours," said Colonel Ilse, readily. "I have a country house and plenty of money, to which Elsie is heiress, so when I go you will have no troubles in a pecuniary sense. I really wish," added the Colonel, somewhat anxiously, "that Miss Pearl had not induced Sir Joseph to leave Audrey any money. "Oh, that is only fair, considering how he behaved to her and to her mother--I mean to Lady Branwin--when he was alive. And the more money Ralph and Audrey have the sooner will he reach the Woolsack and get a title." "That is a long way off yet, grannie." "Well, I don't know. Audrey is ambitious and will make you work, my dear boy, after you have had this long holiday. But there is one point to be settled straight away." "What is that?" asked the Colonel and Ralph simultaneously, for the old dame looked wonderfully serious. "Is the girl to be called Audrey or Elsie?" "I shall call her Elsie," said Ilse, promptly, "after her mother, my dear wife, and I am sure Ralph will not object." "No," said Ralph, after a pause, "I don't think I shall. In fact, when I get used to the change of name I shall prefer it, as I should like all memory of Audrey's connection with the Branwins to be forgotten." "Well, call her Elsie," said Lady Sanby, "and the sole memory of a very disagreeable time will be the two thousand a year." "Which ought to be given to charity," said Ilse, abruptly. "Give it to Miss Pearl," suggested Lady Sanby. "No, no," said Ralph, with great common sense, "we shall keep it. Sir Joseph owes Audrey something for the way in which he treated her." Lady Sanby arose. "You said that before," she remarked. "My dear boy, you are beginning to repeat yourself, so it is time you went." Colonel Ilse looked at his watch. "If Elsie is ready we must go, if we want to catch the Fenchurch Street train for Tilbury Docks." As if in answer to his question Mrs. Shawe entered ready for the journey, smiling and happy, although she looked rather thin. This was not to be wondered at, after all she had gone through. Her father embraced her tenderly, as he always did when she came into his presence. It seemed as though he never could love her enough. Then came fond farewells on the part of Lady Sanby, who insisted on descending to see the party off. "And I hope you will be happy, Elsie," she said, kissing her at the street door. "Do you call me Elsie, as father does?" asked Mrs. Shawe, smiling. "Yes, and I shall call you Elsie also," said her husband, assisting her into the motor-car. "From this moment we leave Audrey Branwin and her miserable past behind. Now begins the happy existence of Elsie Shawe."