dvanced him far in the host's good graces, and ate his
luncheon on the sofa in approved invalid fashion.

It was not until late in the afternoon that Peggy had a chance of
interviewing Hector alone, and of expressing her thanks for the double
service which he had rendered, but when Mrs Saville retired for her
usual rest, and the colonel accompanied the other guest down the drive,
her opportunity came. She was sitting by the tea-table, which had been
placed close to the sofa for the convenience of the invalid, and Hector
was leaning against his cushions watching her little hands flying in and
out of her work. Peggy always made a great affectation of being busy,
and had at least half-a-dozen pieces of fancy work hidden away in as
many drawers, waiting completion at that indefinite period when she
should remember their existence. She glanced at him now, and tried to
speak, threaded a new length of silk, and stitched more assiduously than
ever, glanced again, began a sentence, broke off in confusion, and to
her inward rage felt her cheeks flaming with colour.

Why did he stare so fixedly? Why did he look so queer? It was most
embarrassing, most annoying. She would have liked to show her
displeasure, but how could she, when he was suffering through her folly,
and had been so chivalrous in shielding her from blame?

"I--I want to say all sorts of things," she stammered uncomfortably,
"and I can't think of one! I'm sorry, I'm ashamed, I'm grateful, I feel
a miserable culprit. I don't know what you must think of me and my
miserable carelessness. I wish you would be cross, and say every horrid
thing you could think of. It would help me more than anything else!"

But Hector only laughed, a cheerful, complacent laugh.

"I don't feel the least inclined to be cross. I have had no pain since
your father doctored me, and I am remarkably comfortable sitting on this
sofa. I look upon the little _contretemps_ as a blessing in disguise,
since it has gained me some days at Yew Hedge. Don't be sorry any more,
Peggy, but be as grateful as you please, and show your gratitude by
giving me as much of your society as you can spare from your many
interests. My time is growing short now, and I have seen so little of
you lately."

"You have been so busy going about among your grand friends that you
have had no time to spare for the country. Oh yes, indeed, I'll do all
I can to cheer your solitude. You shall read aloud to me whi