retained it as she led her on towards a tall, handsome
man who stood talking to Miss Webster.

"Mr. Curzon, allow me to introduce Miss Lessing. You've been away with
your little Kitty, so I don't think you've met each other yet."

Then Sally realized that she stood face to face with the good man, and
that he was to take her in to dinner, so that she would have time to
consider him carefully. Mrs. Webster placed her hand graciously on
Paul's arm when dinner was announced, and May trailing yards of
amber-coloured silk behind her, sailed in by herself.

The dinner-table was oval, and Sally found herself seated between the
Rector and May; on the other side sat Paul, with Mrs. Webster and May
to talk to alternately. The very perfection of her surroundings
engaged Sally's attention at first: the delicately shaded lights
shining down on the dainty flowers, and silver and glass; the dinner,
remarkable rather for elegance than profusion; the family portraits on
the wall, bewigged and befrilled, which stood at ease, and glanced down
on the company with a sort of haughty indifference; the heavy, handsome
furniture combining beauty with comfort; and last, but not least, May
herself, whose beauty in her evening dress was simply dazzling.

Paul, reduced to commonplaces, was asking Mrs. Webster if the place
suited her.

"A leading question, Mr. Lessing," she answered, with a sort of heavy
playfulness. "I've no doubt you would be glad to hear it did not. But
we are so fond of it, May and I; it's just the country place we want
for the summer months. We are always in London for the season. But
our lease is nearly run out, you know; and then, I'm afraid, naughty
man! you will not let us renew it."

"Why not? I'm not likely to get better tenants," said Paul, politely.

"But you may be wanting to live here yourself, you see."

"Such a plan is very far from my thoughts at present. I neither wish,
nor can afford it."

"But where else _can_ you go?" asked Mrs. Webster, as if her life
depended on the answer.

The plea of poverty must be ignored; it was only advanced because Mr.
Lessing was her landlord!

"I've not decided yet. Sally and I are quite happy where we are."

"But you could not go on like that. It hardly seems right, you know."

"I don't see where the wrong comes in."

"Your very position as squire; you will be expected to be an employer
of labour, you see."

"So I suppose I shall be, in time, although pe