Hill in your place,"
said Stella.

"I ought to be grateful to you," the Major rejoined. "No time has been
lost in relieving these poor people--and your powers of persuasion have
succeeded, where mine might have failed. Has Romayne been to see them
himself since his return to London?"

"No. He desires to remain unknown; and he is kindly content, for the
present, to be represented by me."

"For the present." Major Hynd repeated.

A faint flush passed over her delicate complexion. "I have succeeded,"
she resumed, "in inducing Madame Marillac to accept the help
offered through me to her son. The poor creature is safe, under kind
superintendence, in a private asylum. So far, I can do no more."

"Will the mother accept nothing?"

"Nothing, either for herself or her daughter, so long as they can work.
I cannot tell you how patiently and beautifully she speaks of her hard
lot. But her health may give way--and it is possible, before long, that
I may leave London." She paused; the flush deepened on her face. "The
failure of the mother's health may happen in my absence," she continued;
"and Mr. Romayne will ask you to look after the family, from time to
time, while I am away."

"I will do it with pleasure, Miss Eyrecourt. Is Romayne likely to be
here to-night?"

She smiled brightly, and looked away. The Major's curiosity was
excited--he looked in the same direction. There was Romayne, entering
the room, to answer for himself.

What was the attraction which drew the unsocial student to an evening
party? Major Hynd's eyes were on the watch. When Romayne and Stella
shook hands, the attraction stood self-revealed to him, in Miss
Eyrecourt. Recalling the momentary confusion which she had betrayed,
when she spoke of possibly leaving London, and of Romayne's plans for
supplying her place as his almoner, the Major, with military impatience
of delays, jumped to a conclusion. "I was wrong," he thought; "my
impenetrable friend is touched in the right place at last. When the
splendid creature in yellow leaves London, the name on her luggage will
be Mrs. Romayne."

"You are looking quite another man, Romayne!" he said mischievously,
"since we met last."

Stella gently moved away, leaving them to talk freely. Romayne took no
advantage of the circumstance to admit his old friend to his confidence.
Whatever relations might really exist between Miss Eyrecourt and himself
were evidently kept secret thus far. "My health has been a lit