e, she looked at him hard, imploringly, in the eyes:
there was a name she was terribly afraid he would mention. 'Oh sir, in
that case we had better go and get ready!' Miss Steet quavered, betwixt
a laugh and a groan, in a spasm of discretion; and before Laura knew it
she had gathered Geordie and Ferdy together and swept them out of the
room. The door closed behind her with a very quick softness and Lionel
remained a moment staring at it.

'I say, what does she mean?--ain't that damned impertinent?' he
stammered. 'What did she think I was going to say? Does she suppose I
would say any harm before--before _her_? Dash it, does she suppose I
would give away my wife to the servants?' Then he added, 'And I wouldn't
say any harm before you, Laura. You are too good and too nice and I like
you too much!'

'Won't you come downstairs? won't you have some tea?' the girl asked,
uneasily.

'No, no, I want to stay here--I like this place,' he replied, very
gently and reasoningly. 'It's a deuced nice place--it's an awfully jolly
room. It used to be this way--always--when I was a little chap. I was a
rough one, my dear; I wasn't a pretty little lamb like that pair. I
think it's because you look after them--that's what makes 'em so sweet.
The one in my time--what was her name? I think it was Bald or Bold--I
rather think she found me a handful. I used to kick her shins--I was
decidedly vicious. And do _you_ see it's kept so well, Laura?' he went
on, looking round him. ''Pon my soul, it's the prettiest room in the
house. What does she want to go to Paris for when she has got such a
charming house? Now can you answer me that, Laura?'

'I suppose she has gone to get some clothes: her dressmaker lives in
Paris, you know.'

'Dressmaker? Clothes? Why, she has got whole rooms full of them. Hasn't
she got whole rooms full of them?'

'Speaking of clothes I must go and change mine,' said Laura. 'I have
been out in the rain--I have been to Plash--I'm decidedly damp.'

'Oh, you have been to Plash? You have seen my mother? I hope she's in
very good health.' But before the girl could reply to this he went on:
'Now, I want you to guess who she's in Paris with. Motcomb saw them
together--at that place, what's his name? close to the Madeleine.' And
as Laura was silent, not wishing at all to guess, he continued--'It's
the ruin of any woman, you know; I can't think what she has got in her
head.' Still Laura said nothing, and as he had hold of her ar