and the stones
felt hot to the feet. Only under the chestnuts tiny flickering shadows
seemed to dance in and out among the tree-boles.

Colonel Godfrey had just been summoned to a business interview, and for
the first time that day Malcolm found himself alone with his hostess.
"Oh, by the bye," he observed rather abruptly, "there is something I
want to ask you. There are some people of the name of Jacobi who have
taken a house at Henley. I wonder if you have come across them."

"To be sure I have," in rather a surprised tone. "Miss Jacobi called
here on Tuesday. Mrs. Sinclair drove her over."

"Well, I want you to tell me what you think of them," asked Malcolm. An
amused look came into Mrs. Godfrey's eyes, and she held up her finger
in chiding fashion.

"Oh, fie, for shame, Mr. Herrick! You are deep--deep. So the handsome
siren has attracted you too."

"Handsome siren," repeated Malcolm with unnecessary energy. "Why, what
nonsense you are talking, my dear lady. I never saw Miss Jacobi in my
life. It is Miss Templeton who desires information, and I promised her
that I would sound you on the subject." Then the mischievous spark died
out of Mrs. Godfrey's eyes.

"Miss Templeton! Do you mean Dinah? What on earth can be the connection
between her and the Jacobis. They were certainly not on hers or
Elizabeth's visiting-list when I was last at the Wood House."

"No, they are complete strangers to them," was Malcolm's reply; "but
Cedric has come across them and seems rather thick with them. He is
going to stay at Beechcroft--is that not the name of the place they
have taken for the season?"

"Yes, I believe so," returned Mrs. Godfrey in rather a perturbed tone.
"Cedric, that boy, going to stay with the Jacobis!" And then she broke
off and said abruptly, "I am sorry to hear it. I should not care for
one of my boys to be thrown much into the society of Saul Jacobi and
his sister."

CHAPTER XIX

"A TOUCH OF THE TARTAR"

Here comes the lady: O, so light a foot
Will ne'er wear out the everlasting flint.
--Romeo and Juliet.

When you doubt, abstain.
--Zoroaster

Malcolm gave a slight start of dismay. Mrs. Godfrey's manner conveyed
more than her words; in spite of his secret prejudice, he was not
prepared for so strong an expression of disapproval. She was a woman of
sound judgment, and very charitable in her estimate of people, and he
kne