"For heaven's sake, get me out of this!" murmured Desmond as Joan approached. "I feel as if the eye of God were on me constantly!" "It's only the eye of Sister Veronica," reassured Joan, "and more her ear than her eye, I fancy." "You don't mean that she can hear what we are saying, in there?" "I've been told there's a sounding-board concealed about this room somewhere. It may not be true, of course; but it's wonderful how much does get back to the Convent from the parlor." Eduard shuddered. "There's goose-flesh up and down my spine! Do come out for a walk somewhere." She shook her head, smiling. "Can't be done! But of course you haven't anything to say to me that Sister Veronica shouldn't hear." "Haven't I, just?" he muttered. The imp of malice stirred in her again. She asked softly, "What, for instance?" He gave her a quick look, glanced toward the grille, and plunged, albeit in a very low voice. "For one thing I want to tell you how lovely you've grown!" "Louder, please?" said Joan, "I missed that." He repeated it, with additions. "And you need not pretend you did not hear me, either, you witch. What's happened to you, Joan? I always knew you'd be a wonderful creature some day, but already!--Those exquisite shadows under the eyes, the hollow of your cheek, your lips--What I'd give to paint you now, my dear! Only that it would waste our time together. How much time have you, by the way? For me, I mean?" "You find me improved, then?" she enquired, demurely. "Improved! I find you--never mind what I find you! There's a subtlety, a fascination--But I can't express it." "There must be a subtlety indeed if _you_ can't express it," she commented; and added, "How is Mrs. Rossiter?" If she expected to disconcert him, she was disappointed. He informed her at length as to the health, appearance, and conjugal felicity of Mrs. Rossiter. "They're actually pulling it off," he said interestedly. "They're making a go of it. I've always had the theory that once a divorcée always a divorcée--the old-fashioned gentlewoman is more to my taste. Divorce always seems to me so--so unnecessary--But in this case it appears I am mistaken, and nobody is happier to admit it. They positively fancy each other, Philemon and Baucis, all that sort of thing!--By the way, I had no idea you had made such friends with May. You gave her my bracelet, it seems. Cruel of you, Joan!" "Did it hurt your feelings?" she murmured, dimpling. "Oh, frightfully. How did you have the heart? She positively gloated over me." "Father would never have allowed me to accept anything so handsome from a passing acquaintance. One had to do something with it, you see, so--" "Passing acquaintance!" he interrupted, reproachfully. "Surely I was more to you than that? Our evening under the beech-tree--shall I ever forget it?" Joan, paling a little, remarked, "Sister Veronica appears interested."