and
then they drove off. Berenice, with a little sigh, leaned back amongst
the cushions.

"You are very tired, I am afraid," he said gently. "The last few weeks
must have been a terrible strain upon you."

"They have been in many ways," she said, "the happiest of my life."

"I am glad of that; yet it is quite time that you had a rest."

She did not answer him,--she did not speak again until the carriage
drew up before her house. He handed her out, and opened the door with
the latch-key which she passed over to him.

"Good night," he said, holding out his hand.

"You must please come in for a little time," she begged. "I have seen
you scarcely at all lately. You have not even told me about your
travels."

He hesitated for a moment, then seeing the shade upon her face, he
stepped forward briskly.

"I should like to come very much," he said, "only you must be sure to
send me away if I stay too long. You are tired already."

"I am tired," she admitted, leading the way upstairs, "only it will
rest me much more to have you talk to me than to go to bed. Mine is
scarcely a physical fatigue. My nerves are all quivering. I could not
sleep! Tell me where you have been."

Matravers took the seat to which she motioned him, and obeyed her,
watching, whilst she stooped down over the fire and poured water into
a brazen coffee-pot, and took another cup and saucer from a quaint
little cupboard. She made the coffee carefully and well, and
Matravers, as he lit his cigarette, found himself wondering at this
new and very natural note of domesticity in her.

[Illustration: Matravers found himself wondering at this new and very
natural note of domesticity in her]

All the time he was talking, telling her in a few chosen sentences
of the little tour for which she really was responsible--of the
pink-and-white apple-blossoms of Brittany, of the peasants in their
quaint and picturesque garb, and of the old time-worn churches, the
exploration of which had constituted his chief interest. She listened
eagerly; every word of his description, so vivid and picturesque, was
interesting. When he had finished, he looked at her thoughtfully.

"You too," he said, "need a change! You have worked very hard, and you
will need all your strength for the autumn season."

"I am going away," she said, "very soon. Perhaps to-morrow."

He looked at her surprised.

"So soon!"

"Why not? What is there to keep me? The theatre is closed. London is