‘I don’t think they can catch him now, though,’ said Tor to himself. ‘I’ve put them in their place, and they’ll be obliged to stay there. Phil isn’t a fool, though he’s something of a muff in his laziness and good-nature; but I am pretty sure, after what I have to tell him, that he’ll never have much to say to his precious relatives. And I think the Belassis’ have too much sense to try to get round him, as long as I am on the spot, and that may be some time, unless Maud will have nothing to do with me;’ and here Tor smiled to himself, as though he did not anticipate any very severe rebuff at Maud’s hands. When he was dressed he sought out Phil, who looked more than ever like himself, after another shave and a more vigorous attempt to remove his bronze. Tor laughed aloud when he saw him. ‘To think that yesterday you were that confounded Italian! Oh, Phil! I’ll never forgive you for playing me such a shabby trick!’ ‘Now just hold your tongue, Phil Debenham,’ laughed Phil. ‘Don’t you know I’m Mr. Torwood this morning, just returned from my travels—arrived late last night? There, let me brush my hair over my forehead. Don’t I look just like Maud? Why don’t you make love to me, Tor, old man?’ ‘Make love to an ass!’ retorted Tor. ‘Just part your hair decently, and come along. I’ve heard Maud and Miss Marjory go down. Don’t snigger when you’re introduced, or I won’t go through with it.’ ‘All right,’ answered Phil, beginning, nevertheless, to ‘snigger’ promptly. ‘I’ll be propriety itself. I don’t promise not to grin when I see you kiss Maud, though!’ ‘If you do——’ ‘Oh, well, then I won’t. Anything for a quiet life. Do come on. I want to see them all, and how they’ll take it. Will Miss Marjory know?’ ‘Yes, but she won’t spoil anyone’s game. Come on.’ Two minutes later, Tor brought his guest into the breakfast-room. All the ladies were assembled there, some seated, some standing about, looking at their letters, and exchanging amiable remarks. Maud sprang forward to greet Tor. ‘Phil, you bad boy, you’re late!’ she said; and then she saw that he was followed by a stranger. ‘My friend, Mr. Torwood, Maud!’ said Tor, presenting Phil, who behaved very well, all things considered. ‘He turned up late last night, and gave me no end of a surprise. You would give him a very warm welcome, if you half knew how glad I am to see him here.’ Maud turned to the stranger with her brightest smile, gave him her hand, and glanced into his face. Then the words of welcome seemed suddenly to die away. She looked at him, and then she looked at Tor, and back again at the new-comer, and she held her peace. ‘Very glad to make your acquaintance, Miss Debenham,’ said Phil, in a voice as exactly like her own as a man’s can be like a woman’s. ‘My friend’s relations almost seem to be mine.’ A warning look from Tor checked any further claim to relationship, otherwise he might have gone on from bad to worse.