offences--past, present, and to
come. By the bye, Audrey, I forgot to tell you something. Kester has had
the letter he wanted, and Widow Blake graciously signifies her assent.'

'Michael, let me give you a timely warning. We shall quarrel if you call
my friend by that ridiculous name.'

'A quarrel cannot be carried on by one party alone,' he returned lazily;
'and I absolutely refuse to consider a mere statement of facts in the
light of a grievance. Still, if your feelings are wounded, and you
object to my allusion to your fair friend's bereaved condition----'

'Michael!' with a little stamp, 'will you leave off talking about Mrs.
Blake and tell me what you mean?'

'It is perfectly simple, I assure you. Kester wrote to his mother to ask
if he might go up to town with me, and she said "Yes."'

'Must you really go?' rather regretfully. 'It would be so much nicer if
you came to Rutherford with us. You know,' she continued affectionately,
'I always miss you so much when you are away.'

Michael gave her one of his quick looks, and then he picked up a smooth
white stone that had attracted his attention.

'I shall follow you in ten days--at least, that is my present intention,
unless Stedman's business keeps me.'

'But will not Kester be in your way?'

'Not a bit; he will be a famous companion. He will have the run of my
rooms, and when I am at the club or with the other fellows he will find
a hundred ways of amusing himself.'

'It will be such a treat to him.'

'I want it to be a treat; he has not had much pleasure in his life, poor
fellow! Do you know, Audrey, he has never really seen London. Won't he
enjoy bowling along the Embankment in a hansom, and what do you suppose
he will say to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament? I mean to
take him to the theatre. Actually he has never seen a play! We will
have dinner at the Criterion, and I will get Fred Somers to join us.
Well, what now?' regarding her with astonishment; for Audrey was looking
at him, and her beautiful gray eyes were full of tears.

'Because you are so kind,' she said a little huskily; 'because no one
else ever did such kind, thoughtful things, and because you never think
of yourself at all.'

'Oh, come, you must not begin praising me after this fashion!' he said
lightly; for he would not show her how much he was touched that there
were actually tears in her eyes for him.

'And I think it no wonder at all that Kester is so devoted to yo