I know
it to be a good thing. For that reason, if I were dying, I would
confidently leave her in his care."

"My dear Trevor, the man has bewitched you!" protested Aunt Philippa.

His eyes fell away from her at last, and she was conscious of distinct
relief, mingled with a most unwonted tinge of humiliation.

"I am obliged to you," he said formally, "for taking the trouble to warn
me. But you need never do so again. Believe me, I am not blind; and Chris
is safe in my care."

He rose with the words, and went to the sideboard for his breakfast. Here
he remained for some time with his back turned, but when he finally came
back to the table there was no trace of even suppressed agitation about
him.

He sat down and began to eat with a perfectly normal demeanour. The
silence, however, remained unbroken until Noel burst tempestuously into
the room. No silence ever outlasted his appearance.

He flung his arms round his brother-in-law and embraced him warmly, with
a friendly, "Hullo, you greedy beggar! Hope you haven't gobbled up
everything! I'm confoundedly hungry. Morning, Aunt Philippa! I suppose
you fed long ago? It's a disgusting habit, isn't it? But one we can't
dispense with at present. Where's Chris?"

"Chris," said Aunt Philippa icily, "has already breakfasted, and so have
I."

She moved towards the door as she spoke. Noel sprang with alacrity to
open it, and bowed to the floor behind her retreating form.

"She looks like a dying duck in a thunderstorm," he observed, as he
returned to the table. "What have you been doing to her? Has there been a
thunderstorm?"

Mordaunt met his inquiring eyes without a smile. "Noel," he said, "if you
can't be courteous to your aunt and your sister, I won't have you at the
table at all--or in the house for that matter."

Noel uttered a long whistle. "I thought I smelt the reek of battle in the
air! What's up? Anything exciting?"

"Do you understand me?" Mordaunt said, sticking to his point.

Noel broke into smiles. "Oh, perfectly, my dear chap! You're as simple as
the Book of Common Prayer. But it would be a pity to kick me out of the
house, you know. You'd miss me--horribly."

Mordaunt leaned back in his chair. "Then I'll give you a sound caning
instead."

Noel nodded vigorous approval. "Much more suitable. I like you better
every day. So does Chris. I believe she'll be in love with you before
long."

"Really?" said Mordaunt.

"Yes, really." Noel was munching com