f
had my instructions to look after your comfort."

"Thank you, yes; we had tea in our room--a lovely room. We are looking
forward to enjoying the view from that splendid window!"

"Ah, yes; it is very fine in clear weather! Please make yourselves at
home, and ask for anything that you need. The servants are good, but
they are unused to visitors. Have no hesitation in keeping them up to
their duties. Will you be seated? In a few minutes we can, I hope,
begin the business of the hour."

He waved them towards some chairs which were ranged before his table.
Four chairs! In the twinkling of an eye the girls had grasped both the
number and what it implied. Two other guests at least were at present
in the house, and equally interested with themselves in the coming
discussion. Their advent was evidently momentarily expected, for Mr
Farrell turned an impatient glance at the clock, and even as he did so
the door opened once more and two young men entered the room. One was
tall and dark, with an olive skin, and a curious, veiled look about his
eyes, caused by the presence of short but abnormally thick black lashes.
Viewed in profile the lashes entirely hid the eye, but the effect of
the thick black line was, singularly enough, rather attractive than the
reverse. He had a dark moustache, and his chin was square and well-
developed.

His companion was--well! the girls felt that they might have guessed it
before, as one of the awkward things which was bound to happen. He was
the stranger of the railway carriage, the supercilious personage whom
they had flattered themselves they would never see again!

Like the two girls, the new-comers had evidently not seen their host
before, for they were greeted by him with practically the same phrases;
and then came a general introduction.

"I must make you known to your fellow-guests--Mr Jack Melland, Mr
Victor Druce--Miss Farrell, Miss Mary Farrell. Mr Melland and Mr
Druce are great-nephews of my late wife. Miss Farrell and her sister
are my own nephew's only children."

The two young men turned towards the girls with curious glances. Over
Mr Jack Melland's face flitted an amused glance of recognition. His
companion's dark eyes widened with a curious scrutiny; then the lashes
dropped, and hid them from sight. Seen thus, with mouth and eyes alike
veiled, the face was a mask devoid of expression; yet Mollie had a
conviction that she had surprised something closely approa