d stamped her
foot violently upon the floor. The thick Turkey carpet reduced the
noise to the faintest echo, but an answering laugh sounded from behind a
screen, and Jack Melland's eyes looked quizzically into her flushed
face.

"Allow me to sympathise. I was sent about my business a few minutes
ago. Took back the _Times_ by request, and ventured to offer to read
aloud--"

"Oh, so did I! His eyes looked so tired, that I long to do something!
It's like living in an hotel, to take everything and do nothing in
return, but if he is so cross and glares like that I shall never dare to
offer again. Do you suppose it will go on like this all the time? Will
he avoid us entirely except at meal-times? Shall we never get to know
him really? If it is like that, I don't think I can stand it. I shall
run away and go home!"

Jack looked down at her with a kindly sympathy.

"Ah, well, it's early days to judge! I don't think it would be
consistent with Mr Farrell's plans to remain a stranger. Opportunities
are bound to arise as the days pass by. Don't worry about it, but enjoy
yourself while you can.--I am going to sit out on the terrace. Will you
come, too? It will be quite warm so long as the sun lasts."

They strolled away together, to make acquaintance in a quiet _tete-a-
tete_, while once more interruption approached the library in the shape
of Mollie, primed for battle. She rapped at the door, received a low
growl by way of reply, and had no sooner crossed the threshold than an
infuriated voice startled her ears.

"I tell you no! I want no help. I can read without assistance. Am I
stone-blind that I cannot be left in peace to read my paper, as I have
done these forty years? How many times over have I to answer the same
question?"

"But--but--I haven't asked you anything yet!" gasped Mollie blankly.
Eyes and lips alike were wide with amazement, but instead of retiring at
full speed, as the other two visitors had done before her, she shut the
door carefully and advanced towards the fire. "What did you think I was
going to say?"

"I have already had two interruptions in the last half-hour; two offers
to have my news read aloud--a thing I detest. I conclude you have come
on the same mission?"

"No!" Mollie shook her head, half penitent, half amused. "Indeed such
a thing never entered my mind. I was selfish enough to be thinking of
myself--not you. Something is worrying me. May I sit down and talk t