r advice.'

This was done, and there resulted a scheme which seemed to excite Rhoda
with joyous anticipation. On the coast of Cumberland, a few miles south
of St. Bees, is a little place called Seascale, unknown to the ordinary
tourist, but with a good hotel and a few scattered houses where
lodgings can be obtained. Not far away rise the mountain barriers of
lake-land, Wastdale clearly discernible. At Seascale, then, Rhoda would
spend her first week, the quiet shore with its fine stretch of sand
affording her just the retreat that she desired.

'There are one or two bathing-machines, Mrs. Cosgrove says, but I hope
to avoid such abominations. How delicious it was in one's childhood,
when one ran into the sea naked! I will enjoy that sensation once more,
if I have to get up at three in the morning.'

About this time Barfoot made one of his evening calls. He had no hope
of seeing Rhoda, and was agreeably surprised by her presence in the
drawing-room. Just as happened a year ago, the subject of Miss Barfoot
making a direct inquiry. With lively interest, Mary waited for the
reply, and was careful not to smile when Rhoda made known her
intentions.

'Have you planned a route after your stay at Seascale?' Barfoot asked.

'No. I shall do that when I am there.'

Whether or not he intended a contrast to these homely projects, Barfoot
presently began to talk of travel on a grander scale. When he next left
England, he should go by the Orient Express right away to
Constantinople. His cousin asked questions about the Orient Express,
and he supplied her with details very exciting to the imagination of
any one who longs to see the kingdoms of the earth--as undoubtedly
Rhoda did. The very name, Orient Express, has a certain sublimity, such
as attaches, more or less, to all the familiar nomenclature of
world-transits. He talked himself into fervour, and kept a watch on
Rhoda's countenance. As also did Miss Barfoot. Rhoda tried to appear
unaffected, but her coldness betrayed its insincerity.

The next day, when work at Great Portland Street was just finished, she
fell into conversation with Mildred Vesper. Miss Barfoot had an
engagement to dine out that evening, and Rhoda ended by inviting Milly
to come home with her to Chelsea. To Milly this was a great honour; she
hesitated because of her very plain dress, but easily allowed herself
to be persuaded when she saw that Miss Nunn really desired her company.

Before dinner they had a