lated Mrs. Sartin, gazing suspiciously
at the closed door.

Christopher laughed. "Oh, I've been in since; there's nothing there
but newspapers, quite a dull little room. But it was an odd fancy. My
feeling was so strong I used to take her round and show her things
I've shown you to-day. I always wanted to show them to someone instead
of the real treasures, which are rather dull, you know."

Mrs. Sartin said again it was very queer. She followed Jessie and
Christopher reluctantly with backward glances towards the door, full
of puzzled suspicion. When they were again in the hall it was time to
start for the Hippodrome, and there was a great deal of patting of
hats and tying of strings before a Venetian mirror.

But Aymer Aston's room, with its world-famed pictures, was unvisited.

When the Hippodrome performance was over and he had seen his guests
safely homeward, Christopher called on Constantia Wyatt and found her
in. She seemed in no wise surprised to see him, but asked him promptly
when he was going down to Marden.

"I don't know," he said slowly, his eyes on the fire, "I don't think I
shall go back yet."

Constantia rang the bell and told the footman she was not at home, and
then drew her chair up to the fire and made Christopher some fresh
tea.

"Is London proving so very attractive?" she inquired.

"I shan't stay in town. I think I shall go abroad again. I want to
think."

"Dear, dear. Is Marden such a bad atmosphere for the intelligence?"

He coloured up boy-like and then laughed.

"There are too many clever people to help one think there. Also there
is a man in Belgium trying some private road experiments. I want to
help him."

"What will Aymer say to it?"

"He thinks I've been idle long enough."

"And the man in Belgium will help you to think?"

"I'm afraid that's my own job."

Constantia rose and wandered round the room, vaguely touching a flower
here and there and presently came to stand behind her visitor's chair.
She was thinking how young he was, and how strong, and that Patricia
was a fortunate girl. Her eyes were very soft and kind as she bent
over his chair and touched his shoulder with her fingers.

"Christopher, you are in love!"

Very young indeed, was her inward comment on his startled wondering
face turned to her.

"How do you know?" he asked, making no denial of the fact. Denial
would have savoured of disloyalty to his new kingdom.

She laughed gently. "Don't you even kno