Hugh was a little embarrassed by these very frank remarks. He observed lamely that it was a shame, and indulged in some rather inane remarks on the snobbishness of provincial towns. "You must find it awfully dull," he ventured after a brief pause. During the short silence, Miss Burton had ordered herself some more tea. It was evident that she was not desirous of abruptly terminating this pleasant _tete-a-tete_. The waitress drew her own conclusions from the further order, and smiled a little as she turned away. "I should be a hypocrite if I pretended the contrary. Of course, housekeeping takes up a good bit of my time, and I read a good deal, and do a lot of fancy-work. But all the same, it is a state of isolation, not an outside person to speak to from one week-end to the other. Of course I hear all that is going on from the tradespeople, and I know the names of the principal persons here whom I constantly meet and never speak to. I know, for instance, that you are Captain Murchison. I think I know the names of all your brother officers." "What made you come here, if it is not a rude question?" asked Hugh bluntly. "It was surely a risky experiment, landing yourself in a town like this, without any introductions." "I told my brother so when he first proposed it," replied Miss Burton calmly. "But, although he is one of the best fellows in the world, he is frightfully obstinate. He had stayed at an hotel here for a few days some years ago, and he had taken a violent fancy to the place. He was quite sure everybody would make a rush for us, the moment we arrived." Miss Burton proceeded to draw on her gloves. During this explanatory conversation, she had consumed her second cup of tea. She called the waitress and paid her bill. "I must be going now," she said. "I have quite enjoyed this little chat, although I am sure you will think very badly of me for having confided so much to a stranger. I really don't know what made me do it--I suppose I got tired of having kept silence for so long." Yes, he could understand that. Poor, pretty little girl, just at an age when all the pleasures of youth should be open to her, and to have to pass her life in the society of that rather common-looking brother, good fellow as she declared him to be. "I have enjoyed the meeting immensely, too," said Hugh heartily. "I only wish we could come across each other at some of these Blankfield houses, stupid and dull as they generally are." And then, the pretty Miss Burton fired her last shot as she rose to leave: "I have been unconventional enough from the beginning, and if I can do it without blushing, I am going to be more unconventional still. If you cared to come up to Rosemount one afternoon, I am sure my brother would be pleased to see you." Murchison was very embarrassed by the suggestion, although she did not proffer it in any bold fashion.