s good,
allowing long drives over the lovely country, a tennis party at home,
and another at a neighbouring house introduced a little variety into the
programme, and best of all Mrs Fanshawe grew daily more friendly, even
affectionate in manner. She was a woman of little depth of character,
whose main object in life was to amuse herself and avoid trouble, but
she had humour and intelligence, and made an agreeable companion for a
summer holiday. As her intimacy with her guest increased she spoke
continually of her son, referring to his marriage with Janet Willoughby
with an air of complacent certitude.

"Of course he will marry Janet. They've been attached for years, but
the young men of to-day are so deliberate. They are not in a hurry to
give up their freedom. Janet will be just the right wife for Erskine,
good tempered and yielding. He is a dear person, but obstinate. When
he once makes up his mind, nothing will move him. It would never do for
him to have a high-spirited wife."

"I disapprove of pandering to men," snapped Claire in her most High
School manner, whereupon the conversation branched off to a discussion
on Women's Rights, which was just what she had intended and desired.

On the seventh afternoon of her visit, Claire was in her room writing a
letter to Sophie when she heard a sudden tumult below, and felt her
heart bound at the sound of a familiar voice. The pen dropped from her
hand, and she sat transfixed, her cheeks burning with excitement. It
could not be! It was preposterous, impossible. He was in Scotland.
Only that morning there had been a letter.--It was impossible,
impossible, and then again came the sound of that voice, that laugh, and
she was on her feet, running across the floor, opening the door,
listening with straining ears.

A voice rose clear and distinct from the hall beneath, the deep, strong
voice about which there could be no mistake.

"A perfect flood! The last five days have been hopeless. I was tired
of being soaked to the skin, and having to change my clothes every two
hours, so I cut it, picked up Humphreys in town, and came along home.
And how have you been getting on, mater? You look uncommonly fit!"

"I'm quite well. I am perfectly well. You need not have come home on
my account," Mrs Fanshawe's voice had a decided edge. "I suppose this
is just a flying visit. You will be going on to pay another visit. I
have a friend with me--a Miss Gifford. You met