"From India!" cried Olive and Tui in one breath; and their thoughts centred at once on Angus Carson. "Oh, that is only a theory of the newspaper!" said Mallow, hastily. "Can't you find a pleasanter subject to talk about, Aldean?" "Yes," replied Aldean, looking meaningly at Tui. "Only----" "Only I am wasting my time, and you are helping me to do so," cried that young lady, briskly. "I must tie up my roses." "Let me help you." "I am afraid your help would be a hindrance," said Miss Ostergaard, as she moved towards the house, followed by her huge admirer. "However, if you are very, very good, you may hold the ball of string." Left alone with Mallow, Olive felt in so dangerous a position that she assumed a demeanour even more reserved. "So Mr. Carson has arrived in England," remarked the young man, gloomily. "Yes; who told you so?" "Mr. Dimbal, the lawyer. Of course, it is an open secret that you are to marry him." "I see no reason why it should be a secret at all," retorted Olive, with a flush. "If my father wished for the marriage, no one can say a word against it." "I am not saying a word against it. If I did, I should probably say too much." "Then don't let us discuss the subject," said Olive, hurriedly; "you only make my position the harder." "Do you consider it hard?" "You have no right to ask me that question, Mr. Mallow." "I beg your pardon," said the young man, reddening. "I admit that I have no right--unless you give me one." "Mr. Mallow, I really do not understand you." "I don't understand myself, Miss Bellairs; usually I am not timid when I should be bold." "'Be bold--be bold, but be not over bold,'" quoted Olive, trying to turn off his speech with a laugh--an attempt which Mallow resolutely refused to countenance. "I suppose you will marry Mr. Carson?" he inquired anxiously. "I suppose I shall," replied Miss Bellairs, with a coolness she was far from feeling. "Is it absolutely certain?" Olive felt a quiver pass through her frame, and it was with difficulty she prevented her emotion from overcoming her. She thought of the man who was coming to claim her, the man she had never even seen; of the undeclared lover who was by her side dreading the answer which she should give. Finally the memory of the sealed letter, with its menace of coming evil passed through her mind, and dictated the reply-- "It is absolutely certain--absolutely." "In that case there is nothing for me to do but to offer you the customary congratulations on your--your good fortune." "My good fortune!" she burst out. "My good--oh yes, of course. Thank you, Mr. Mallow. I congratulate you, in my turn, on your penetration." And before he could recover from his amazement at this attack, she flitted across the lawn, swept past the astonished couple on the steps, and vanished into the house.