"What a handsome girl!" murmured more than one of Mr. Lang's party as Esther advanced with her queenly gait. May, delighted, rose to greet her. "How wonderful to meet you here!" exclaimed Miss Inglis. "Harold had to come up to town on business, and we persuaded him to bring us up the river." "So glad to see you again, Mrs. Burnside," said the young doctor as they shook hands; his honest English face flushing as his glance met hers. That glance and that handclasp seemed to throw a flood of light upon the secret places of May's soul; for suddenly she realised that she loved him better than her life. He was, and always must be, the one man in the world to her. Miss Waller was not pleased at this addition to their party; but she could not interfere when Mr. Lang pressed the Inglises to join the circle assembled at tea. Nor could they well refuse: though independent Esther insisted on making use of the provisions they had brought with them. Harold stationed himself beside May, as a matter of course, and contrived, under cover of the lively chatter of the rest, to tell her about the new patients he had secured at Beachbourne, and hear what she had been doing in London. It was a very harmless, matter-of-fact conversation, but it drew down many jealous glances from Mr. Lang, which May perceived, but did not heed. Why should she not enjoy this brief moment of happiness? "Shall I see you again before I leave? I'm going back on Monday," Harold observed wistfully, when the tea-things had been packed up for the return journey. [Illustration: "If he ever comes again!"] But she shook her head, knowing it was useless to invite him to call upon her aunt; nor could she promise to visit Windermere Mansions. "We shall be returning the end of next week, I hope," she answered hurriedly, sorry to seem so inhospitable. "I shall be so glad to leave London!" "Now, Mrs. Burnside," interrupted Mr. Lang, bustling up, "your aunt's invited me to dine with you at eight; and if I'm to be back in time to dress, we must look sharp. Sorry to have to say good-bye to you, Miss Inglis," he added, turning to stately Esther with his most patronising air. "I wish I could ask you to come back in the launch with us; but there's so little room." "Thank you, I prefer a rowing-boat. I thoroughly disapprove of steam launches on a crowded river like the Thames," calmly responded she; whilst Miss Waller gasped, open-mouthed, at such effrontery. Imagine a beggarly girl in an office daring to address such criticism to the great Mr. Lang! The lovers had perforce to separate, for the rowing-boat would, of course, be soon left behind by the launch. May took her seat with a sinking heart at the prospect of Mr. Lang's company for the rest of the day; and Harold was so silent all the way home that Esther commented on it as they disembarked.