"We have been in to glance at you two or three times, George. Margery has prepared something nice for you, and would have aroused you to take it, only she says sleep will do you as much good as food." "What's the time?" asked George, too indolent to take his own watch from his pocket. "Half-past three." "Nonsense!" cried George, partially starting up. "It can't be so late as that." "It is, indeed. Janet has just driven off to the station. Don't rise this minute: you are hot." "I wonder Janet let me sleep so long!" "Why should she not? Janet has been very busy all day, and very----" "Cross?" put in George. "I was going to say silent," replied Cecil. "You vexed her this morning, George." "There was nothing that she need have been vexed at," responded Mr. George. Cecil remained for a few moments without speaking. "I think Janet is afraid of Charlotte Pain," she presently said. "Afraid of Charlotte Pain! In what way?" "George"--lowering her voice, and running her fingers caressingly through his bright hair as he lay--"I wish you would let me ask you something." "Ask away," replied George. "Ay, but will you answer me?" "That depends," he laughed. "Ask away, Cely." "_Is_ there anything between you and Charlotte Pain?" "Plenty," returned George in the lightest possible tone. "As there is between me and a dozen more young ladies. Charlotte, happening to be the nearest, gets most of me just now." "Plenty of what?" "Talking and laughing and gossip. That's about the extent of it, pretty Cely." Cecil wished he would be more serious. "Shall you be likely to marry her?" she breathed. "Just as likely as I shall be to marry you," and he spoke seriously now. Cecil drew a sigh of relief. "Then, George, I will tell you what it is that has helped to vex Janet. You know our servants get talking to Mrs. Verrall's, and her servants to ours. And the news was brought here that Charlotte Pain has said she should probably be going on a journey: a journey abroad, for six months or so: to some place where she should remain the winter. Margery told Janet: and--and----" "You construed it, between you, that Charlotte was going to be a partner in my exile! What droll people you must all be!" "There's no doubt, George, that Charlotte Pain was heard to say it." "I don't know what she may have been heard to say. It could have borne no reference to my movements. Cecil?" "Well?" "Did you ever hear of old Max's hounds losing their scent?" "No--I don't know. What do you mean?" And while George Godolphin was laughing at her puzzled look, Margery came in. "Are you almost famished, Mr. George? How could you think of dropping off to sleep till you had had something to sustain you?" "We often do things that we don't 'think' to do, Margery," quoth he, as he rose from the sofa. Nothing more true, Mr. George Godolphin.