of that paradise, which was something of a fool's paradise to
Theo, scaring and startling the pair. She made a start from his side
with a guilty blush, and even he for a moment paused with something
like a sense of alarm. They looked at each other as if they had been
suddenly cited to appear before a tribunal and answer for what they had
done. Then he broke into a breathless laugh. "I shall have to leave you.
I can't face that ordeal. Oh, what a falling off is here--luncheon! must
I leave everything for that?"

"Yes, go, go--it is too much," she murmured, like a culprit whose
accomplice may be saved, but who herself must face the judge. "I could
not bear it; I could not hold up my head, if you were there."

"One moment!" She was leaning towards him, when Geoff's hasty steps were
heard in the hall and his voice that seemed to sound sharp in her very
ears, "Where's mamma?" Lady Markland fell back with a face like a ghost,
covering it with her hands. Warrender felt as if a sudden flame was lit
in his heart. He seized her almost with violence. "I will come back
to-night, when he is in bed. Be in the avenue. I must see you again
to-day."

"I will, Theo."

"At nine o'clock." He pulled away the hand which still was over her
eyes. "You are mine, remember, mine first. I shall count the minutes
till I come back. Mine first, mine always."

"Oh, Theo, yes! for the love of heaven go!"

Was that how to conclude the first meeting of happy lovers? Warrender
rushed through the hall, with his blood on fire, almost knocking over
Geoff, who presented himself, very curious and sharp-eyed, directly in
the way.

"Oh, I say, Theo!" cried Geoff. "Where are you going, Theo? that's
lunch! lunch is on the table. Don't you hear the bell? Can't you stay?"

Warrender waved his hand, he could make no reply. He could have taken
the child by the collar and flung him far away into the unknown, if that
had been practicable. Ghosts, she had said: Geoff was no ghost, but he
was insupportable; not to be seen with composure at that tremendous
moment. The young man rushed down the steps and struck across the drive
at a pace like a race-horse, though he was only walking. He forgot even
the big black, munching his hay tranquilly in the stable and thinking no
harm.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Lady Markland came out of her room a little after, paler than usual,
with a great air of stateliness and gravity, conscious to her finger
points of the looks tha