those six-weeks! What nationality?"

"American, of course, or half and half; with an English mother and
American ideas."

"Thank you. Where is your present place of residence?"

"Stoke Revel Manor House."

"What is the duration of the visit?"

"Fixed at a month, but may be shortened at any time for bad
behaviour."

"Your purpose in coming to Stoke Revel?"

"A Sentimental Journey, in search of fond relations."

"Have you found these relations?"

"I've found them; but the fondness is still to seek."

"Have you left your family in America?"

"I have no one belonging to me in the world," she answered simply, and
her bright face clouded suddenly.

There was a moment's rather embarrassed silence. "It's getting to be a
sad game"; she said. "It's my turn now. I'll be the cross-examiner,
but not having had your legal training, I'll tell you a few facts
about this witness to begin with. He's a lawyer; I know that already.
Your Christian name, sir?"

"Mark."

"Mark Lavendar. 'Mark the perfect man.' Where have I heard that; in
Pope or in the Bible? Thank you; very good; your age is between thirty
and thirty-five, with a strong probability that it is thirty-three. Am
I right?"

"Approximately, madam."

"You are unmarried, for married men don't play games like this; they
are too sedate."

"You reassure me! Am I expected to acknowledge the truth of all your
observations?"

"You have only to answer my questions, sir."

"I am unmarried, madam."

"Your nationality?"

"English of course. You don't count a French grandmother, I suppose?"

Robinette clapped her hands. "Of course I do; it accounts for this
game; it just makes all the difference.--Why have you come to Stoke
Revel; couldn't you help it?"

A twinkle passed from the blue eyes to the brown ones.

"I am here on business connected with the estate."

"For how long?"

"An hour ago I thought all might be completed in a few days, but these
affairs are sometimes unaccountably prolonged!" (Was there another
twinkle? Robinette could hardly say.) They were half-way across the
river now. She leaned over and looked at herself in the water for a
moment.

Lavendar rested on his oars, and began to rub the palms of his hands,
smiling a little to himself as he bent his head.

"Yours is an odd Christian name," he said. "I've never heard it
before."

"Then you haven't visited your National Gallery faithfully enough,"
said Mrs. Loring. "Robinetta is one of t