aughter had intended calling upon the occupants of
Red Gables, but had been prevented by their sudden departure.

Adrienne laughed.

"Yes, I expect every one thought we were quite mad to run away like
that so soon after our arrival! It was a sudden idea of Mr.
Errington's. He declared he was not satisfied about something in the
staging of 'The Grey Gown,' and of course we must needs all rush up to
town to see about it. There wasn't the least necessity, as it turned
out, but when Max takes an idea into his head there's no stopping him."

"No," added Mrs. Adams. "And the sheer cruelty of bustling an elderly
person like me from one end of England to the other just to suit his
whims doesn't seem to move him in the slightest."

She was smiling broadly as she spoke, and, it was evident to Diana that
to both these women Max Errington's word was law--a law they obeyed,
however, with the utmost cheerfulness.

"But, of course, we are coming back again," pursued Miss de Gervais.
"I think Crailing is a delightful little place, and I am going to
regard Red Gables as a haven of refuge from the storms of professional
life. So I hope"--smilingly--"that the Rectory will call on Red Gables
when next we are 'in residence.'"

The time passed quickly, and when tea was disposed of Adrienne looked
out from amongst her songs one or two which were known to Diana, and
Mrs. Adams was given the opportunity of hearing the "golden voice."

And then, just as Diana was preparing to leave, a maid threw open a
door and announced:--

"Mr. Errington."

Diana felt her heart contract suddenly, and the sound of his voice, as
he greeted Adrienne and Mrs. Adams, sent a thrill through every nerve
in her body.

"You mustn't go now." She was vaguely conscious that Adrienne was
speaking to her. "Max, here is Miss Quentin, whom you gallantly
rescued from Culver Point."

The actress was dimpling and smiling, a spice of mischief in her soft
blue eyes. She and Mrs. Adams had not omitted to chaff Errington about
his involuntary knight-errantry, and the former had even laughingly
declared it her firm belief that his journey to town the next day
partook more of the nature of flight than anything else. To all of
which Errington had submitted composedly, declining to add anything
further to his bare statement of the incident of Culver Point--mention
of which had been entailed by his unexpected absence from Red Gables
that evening.

He gave a scarce