"Certainly not,'' said Mrs Inglethorp sharply "What should there be ? '' Then catching sight of Dorcas, the parlourmaid, going dining-room, she called to her to bring some stamps boudoir

"Yes, m'm '' The old servant hesitated, then added diffidently: "Don't , m'm, you'd better get to bed ? You're looking very tired ''

"Perhaps you're right, Dorcas -- yes -- no -- not now I've some letters finish by post-time lighted the fire in my room as you ? ''

"Yes, m'm ''

"Then I'll go to bed directly after supper ''

She went boudoir again, and Cynthia stared after her

"Goodness gracious ! I wonder what's up ? '' she said to Lawrence

seem heard her, for without word he turned heel and went house

I suggested quick game of tennis before supper and, Cynthia agreeing, I ran upstairs to fetch my racquet

Mrs Cavendish was coming down the stairs It may my fancy, but she, too, was looking odd and disturbed

"Had good walk with Dr Bauerstein ? '' I asked, trying to appear as indifferent as

"I didn't go,'' she replied abruptly "Where is Mrs Inglethorp ? ''

" boudoir ''

Her hand clenched itself banisters, then she seemed to nerve herself for some encounter, and went rapidly past me down the stairs across the hall boudoir, the door she shut behind her

As I ran out tennis court later, I had the open boudoir window, and was unable to help overhearing the following scrap of dialogue Mary Cavendish was saying voice of woman desperately controlling herself:

"Then you won't show it ? ''

Mrs Inglethorp replied:

"My dear Mary, it has nothing matter ''

"Then show it ''

"I tell you what you imagine It concern you least ''

Mary Cavendish replied, with rising bitterness:

" , known shield him ''

Cynthia was waiting , and greeted me eagerly with:

" ! There's been the most awful row ! I've got it all out of Dorcas ''

"What kind of row ? ''

"Between Aunt Emily and him hope she's found him out at last ! ''

"Was Dorcas there, then ? ''

" not She 'happened near the door' real old bust-up wish what all about ''

of Mrs Raikes's gipsy face, and Evelyn Howard's warnings, but wisely decided to hold my peace, whilst Cynthia exhausted every possible hypothesis, and cheerfully hoped, "Aunt Emily will away, and will never speak to him again ''

anxious hold of John, but nowhere seen Evidently something very momentous had occurred that afternoon I tried to forget the few words I had overheard; but, do what , dismiss them altogether from my mind Mary Cavendish's concern matter ?

Mr Inglethorp was drawing-room when down to supper His face was impassive as ever, strange unreality man struck me afresh

Mrs Inglethorp came down last She still looked agitated, and during the meal somewhat constrained silence Inglethorp was unusually quiet As rule, he surrounded his wife with little attentions, placing cushion at her back, and altogether playing the part devoted husband Immediately after supper, Mrs Inglethorp retired to her boudoir again

"Send my coffee in here, Mary,'' she called "I've just five minutes to catch the post ''

Cynthia and I went and sat open window drawing-room Mary Cavendish brought our coffee She seemed excited

" young people want lights, or enjoy the twilight ? '' she asked " take Mrs Inglethorp her coffee, Cynthia ? pour it out ''

" trouble, Mary,'' said Inglethorp " take it to Emily '' He poured it out, and went room carrying it carefully

Lawrence followed him, and Mrs Cavendish sat down

We three sat for in silence glorious night, hot and still Mrs Cavendish fanned herself gently with palm leaf

"It's almost too hot,'' she murmured " thunderstorm ''

Alas, harmonious moments can never endure ! My paradise was rudely shattered sound of well known, and heartily disliked, voice hall

"Dr Bauerstein ! '' exclaimed Cynthia "What funny time ''

I glanced jealously at Mary Cavendish, but she seemed quite undisturbed, the delicate pallor of her cheeks vary

In , Alfred Inglethorp had ushered the doctor in, the latter laughing, and protesting that in no fit state for drawing-room In truth, he presented sorry spectacle, being literally plastered with mud

"What been doing, doctor ? '' cried Mrs Cavendish

" make my apologies,'' said the doctor " really mean in, but Mr Inglethorp insisted ''

"Well, Bauerstein, in plight,'' said John, strolling in hall "Have some coffee, and tell us what ''

" , '' He laughed rather ruefully, as he described how he had discovered very rare species of fern in an inaccessible place, and efforts to obtain it had lost his footing, and slipped ignominiously into neighbouring pond

"The sun soon dried me off,'' he added, "but I'm afraid my appearance is very disreputable ''

juncture, Mrs Inglethorp called to Cynthia hall, girl ran out

"Just carry up my despatch-case, , dear ? I'm going to bed ''

The door hall was wide one I had risen when Cynthia did, John was close by me There were therefore three witnesses swear that Mrs Inglethorp was carrying her coffee, untasted, in her hand

My evening was utterly and entirely spoilt presence of Dr Bauerstein It seemed the man would never go He rose at last, however, and I breathed sigh of relief