(to Mina they seemed to possess much plausibility), did not advance
matters. A silence fell between the two, and Cecily walked again to the
window. The sun was setting on Blent, and it glowed in a soft beauty.

"To think that I should be here, and have this, and yet be very very
unhappy!" murmured the girl softly. She faced round suddenly. "Mina, I'm
going to London. Now--to-night. There's a train at eight."

The Imp sat up straight and stared.

"I shall wire to our house; the maid's there, and she'll have things
ready."

"What are you going to town for?"

"To see this Lord Southend. You must come with me."

"I? Oh, I can't possibly. And your father----?"

"He must stay here. You must come. Run back and pack a bag; you won't
want much. I shall go just as I am." With a gesture she indicated the
plain black frock she wore. "Oh, I can't be bothered with packing! What
does that matter? I'll call for you in the carriage at seven. We mustn't
miss the train."

Mina gasped. This was Tristram indeed; the wild resolve was announced in
tones calmer than any that Cecily had achieved during the interview.
Mina began to think that all the family must have this way of being
peculiar in ordinary things, but quite at home when there was an
opportunity of doing anything unusual.

"I just feel I must go. If anything's done at all, it'll be done in
London, not here."

"How long do you mean to stay?"

"I can't possibly tell. Till something's done. Go now, Mina, or you'll
be late."

"Oh, I'm not coming. The whole thing's absurd. What can you do? And,
anyhow, it's not my business."

"Very well. I shall go alone. Only I thought you were interested in
Harry and--and I thought you were my friend." She threw herself into a
chair; she was in Addie Tristram's attitude. "But I suppose I haven't
got any friends," she concluded, not in a distressed fashion, but with a
pensive submissive little smile.

"You're perfectly adorable," cried Mina, running across to her. "And
I'll go with you to Jericho, if you like." She caught Cecily's hands in
hers and kissed her cheek.

The scene was transformed in an instant; that also was the Tristram way.
Cecily sprang up laughing gayly, even dancing a step or two, as she
wrung Mina's hands.

"Hurrah! _Marchons! En Avant!_" she cried. "Oh, we'll do something,
Mina! Don't you hate sitting still?"

"Cecily, are you--are you in love with Harry?"

"Oh, I hope not, I hope not," she laughed softly.