joke is a joke; but, mind, I
will not have you falling in love with Mrs. Blake. Dear me! what would
Gage say?'

And at this Michael laughed, and Audrey laughed too--though just for the
moment she did feel a wee bit uncomfortable, for even the notion of
Michael falling in love with any woman was not quite pleasant.

'Really, Michael, we must walk faster,' she said, recovering herself,
'or I shall not have time to dress for dinner.' And then they both
quickened their footsteps, and no more nonsense was talked about the
fascinating Mrs. Blake.

CHAPTER XI

'A GIRL AFTER MY OWN HEART'

'Be to their virtues very kind,
Be to their faults a little blind,
And put a padlock on the mind.'

ANON.

'I will go to the Gray Cottage this afternoon,' was Audrey's first
thought the next morning when she woke; but she kept this intention to
herself when Geraldine came in, after breakfast, to beg for some
favourite recipes of her mother's that she had lost or mislaid. 'And if
you have nothing better to do,' she said, turning to Audrey, who was
filling the flower-vases, 'I shall be very glad of your company this
afternoon, as Percival is going up to London.'

'Shall you be alone, Gage? I mean, are you expecting any special
visitor?'

'Well, old Mrs. Drayton is driving over to luncheon with that deaf niece
of hers; but they will go away early--they always do. Come up later,
Audrey, and bring your work; and perhaps Michael will fetch you--it is
so long since we have seen him. I will not ask you both to stay to
dinner, as Percival is always a little tired after a journey to London,
and a _tete-a-tete_ dinner will suit him better; but we could have a
long afternoon--you know you refused me yesterday because of the
O'Briens.'

'I will come up to tea, Gage,' interrupted Audrey somewhat hastily; 'I
would rather avoid Miss Drayton, and Miss Montague is simply terrible.
You may expect me about half-past four, and I will give Michael your
message.'

And Audrey carried off her vase to avoid any more necessary questioning.
Gage seemed always wanting her now; was it all sisterly affection,
Audrey wondered, or a clever device to counteract the Blake influence?

'By the bye, mother,' observed Mrs. Harcourt carelessly, as she gathered
up sundry papers, 'I suppose you will soon be leaving your card on Mrs.
Blake? Percival thought I had better call with you, and if you are
disengaged nex