are all in the schoolroom, you know,
so I told Mrs. Courtenay that I had a pressing engagement in town."

"Oh, I begin to see light."

"I did some shopping in the Strand, and then I thought I would look you
up in your grimy old diggings. My word, we are going to have a storm,
Herrick," as a flash of lightning lit up the dark room.

"Yes, but it will soon be over, and you are in no hurry to catch your
train."

"No, you are right there. The house is all in a muddle from the
wedding, and we are to have a sort of nondescript meal at eight.
Herrick, old fellow, I want you to put me up for a couple of nights.
You are coming down to Staplegrove on Tuesday, so I told Dinah that we
might as well travel together."

"Does your sister really expect me?" asked Malcolm dubiously. "My dear
boy," as Cedric grew rather red and pulled his budding moustache in an
affronted manner, "I know you were good enough to invite me, but I
understood from you that your sisters were the owners of the Wood
House, and as I have not yet made their acquaintance--"

"Hang it all, Herrick, I suppose a fellow can see his friends
sometimes, even if he is dependent on his sisters," and Cedric's tone
was decidedly sulky. "Besides, Dinah sent you a message--she and
Elizabeth will be delighted to see you, and all that sort of thing, and
they hoped you would stay as long as possible."

"I am glad you told me that," returned Malcolm, with a relieved air. In
reality he had been secretly much embarrassed by Cedric's invitation.
"You know, my dear fellow, how pleased I am to be introduced to your
people, and it is most kind of Miss Templeton to send me that message."

"Oh, Dinah is a good old sort," returned the lad carelessly. The cloud
had vanished from his face. "Well, Herrick, what do you say about
putting me up? There are two or three things I want to do in town, and
it is a bore staying on at the Briars now old Fred has gone."

"When do you want to come to me?" asked Malcolm. "I am to sleep at
Queen's Gate the next two nights, and I have promised to take Miss
Sheldon out to-morrow. She is my mother's adopted daughter, you
know--Anna Sheldon. I have often mentioned her to you."

Then Cedric nodded.

"I shall be back at Chelsea on Friday, if you like to come to me then;
but the guest-chamber is remarkably small--at present it holds all my
lumber and little else." But as Cedric professed himself indifferent on
the subject of his own comfort--an assert