her fusty
books, the same great dogs in the fireplace.

Nicholas looked at her, observing her survey.

"Well?" he queried.

"It's all so exactly the same," responded Trix.

"I never cared for change," said Nicholas shortly.

And then the door opened.

"Jessop," said Nicholas smooth-voiced, "Will you kindly bring tea for me
and this young lady."

A flicker, a very faint flicker of amazement passed over the man's face.

"Yes, sir," he responded, and turned from the room.

"An excellent servant," remarked Nicholas.

"I wonder," said Trix reflectively, "how they manage to see everything,
and look as if they saw nothing. When I see things it's perfectly obvious
to everyone else I am seeing them. I--I _look_."

"So do most people," returned Nicholas.

* * * * *

When, some half-hour later, Trix rose to take leave, Nicholas again held
out his hand. "I believe I'd ask you to come and pay me another visit,"
he said, "but it would be wiser not. It is not easy for--er, dead men to
receive visitors."

"I wish you hadn't--died," said Trix impulsively.

"Do you mean that?" asked Nicholas curiously.

Trix nodded. There was an odd lump in her throat, a lump that for the
moment prevented her from speaking.

"You're a queer child," smiled Nicholas.

The tears welled up suddenly in Trix's eyes.

"It's so lonely," she said, with a half-sob.

"My own doing," responded Nicholas.

"That doesn't make it nicer, but worse," gulped Trix.

Nicholas held her hand tighter.

"On the contrary, it's better. It's my own choice." He emphasized the
last word a little.

Trix was silent. Nicholas let go her hand.

"Let yourself out the front way," he said. "I am sorry I am unable to
accompany you."

Trix went slowly to the library door. At the door she turned.

"It mayn't be right of me," she announced, "but I'm glad, really glad I
did sneeze."

Nicholas laughed.

"To be perfectly candid," he remarked, "so am I."

CHAPTER XXIII

ANTONY FINDS A GLOVE

Trix's appearance at the door in the wall had fairly dumbfounded Antony.
He had recognized her instantly. And the amazing thing was that she was
exactly as he had seen her in his dream. Her announcement had carried the
dream sense further, and it was with a queer feeling of intense
disappointment that he found no one standing outside the gate. There was
nothing but the silent deserted wood and the mound of leaf-mould. F