rway of the inn and
stares out at the descending rain, that he has shown distinct cleverness
in the way in which he has manoeuvred these two girls, without either of
them feeling the least suspicion of the other. Last night Joyce had been
on the point of a discovery, but he had smoothed away all that.
Evidently he was born to be a successful diplomatist, and if that
appointment he has been looking for ever comes his way, he will be able
to show the world a thing or two.

How charming that little girl in there can look! And never more so than
when she allows her temper to overcome her. She had been angry just now.
Yes. But he can read between the lines; angry--naturally that he has not
come to the point--declared himself--proposed as the saying is. Well,
puffing complacently at his cigar, she must wait--she must wait--if the
appointment comes off, if Sir Alexander stands to him, she has a very
good chance, but if that falls through, why then----

And it won't do to encourage her too much, by Jove! If Miss Maliphant
were to hear of this evening's adventure, she is headstrong, stolid
enough, to mark out a line for herself and fling him aside without
waiting for judge or jury. Much as it might cost her, she would not
hesitate to break all ties with him, and any that existed were very
slight. He, himself, had kept them so. Perhaps, after all, he had better
order the trap round, leave Miss Kavanagh here, and----

And yet to go out in that rain; to feel it beating against his face for
two or three intolerable hours. Was anything, even L10,000 a year, worth
that? He would be a drowned rat by the time he reached the Court.

And, after all, couldn't it be arranged without all this bother? He
might easily explain it all away to Miss Maliphant, even should some
kind friend tell her of it. That was his role. He had quite a talent for
explaining away. But he must also make Joyce thoroughly understand. She
was a sensible girl. A word to her would be sufficient. Just a word to
show that marriage at present was out of the question. Nothing
unpleasant; nothing finite; but just some little thing to waken her to
the true state of the case. Girls, as a rule, were sentimental, and
would expect much of an adventure such as this. But Joyce was proud--he
liked that in her. There would be no trouble; she would quite
understand.

"Tea is just comin' up, sorr!" says a rough voice behind him. "The
misthress tould me to tell ye so!"

The red-