y. For the Kelmscotts, of Tilgate Park, were the oldest county family in all that part of Surrey; an

epth of his surprise; but Elma, with her marvellous insight, could see at once, for all that, by the very haze in his eyes, that he was fascinated by Guy's personality, somewhat as she herself had been fascinate

the Colonel uttered those seemingly simple words, "And

y-and-by, no doubt. He's pretty sure to find out, sooner or later, Mis

Kelmscott meanwhile thawing by degrees and growing gradually interested

I remember. A rising painter. Had a capital landscape in the Grosvenor last year, I recollect, and another in the Acad

y, in Chetwood Forest. He told me about it; it must be simply lovely-all

by your brother, Mr. Waring-that would give it, to me, a certain personal value." He paused a moment; then he a

ly. "If you're ever up in town our way-we've rooms in Staple Inn. I dare say you know it-t

nd drew himself up still tal

dom have time to lounge about in studios. It was merely the coincidence of the picture being painted in Chetwood Forest that made me fancy for a moment I m

or two to his garrulous old lady. But before Colonel Kelmscott could walk off Mrs. Clifford and her daughter to the

ing out her hand, with a delicious smile; and as she said it, Cyril and M

How do you do?" to his pretty fellow-traveller of the famous adventure. Mrs. Clifford observed that the faint pink faded out of the olive-brown skin as Elma took Cyril Waring's hand in hers, and that her face grew pale for three minutes afterw

fternoon, they six kep

bsent-minded and self-contained; he answered all questions in a distant, unthinking way; some inner trouble was undoubtedly consuming him. His eyes were all for the two Warings. They glanced nervously right and left every minute in haste, but returned after each excursion straight to Guy and Cyril. The Colonel noted narrowly all they said and did; and Elma was sure he was ver

He occupied himself mainly in listening to Guy and Cyril. A sort o

ation and regret at the meeting. Nay, even now he was angling hard, with all the skill of a strategist, to keep the Warings out of Lady Emily's way. But the more he talked

in face and manner. As a rule, his father was proud of him, with a passing great pride, as he was proud of every other Kelmscott possession. But to-day, Elma's keen eye observed that the Colonel's glance moved quickly in a rapid dart from Cyril and Guy to his son Granville, and back again from his son Granville to Guy and Cyril. What was odder still, the hasty comparison seemed to redound not alt

faint pressure of her hand at parting-that was all the romance she was able to extract from it, so closely did Mrs. Clifford play her part as chaperon. But

have made, to be sure, in a dash for the guns or a charge against a battery! But they seem to have done well for themselves in their own way: carved out their own fortunes, each

e Nevitt, as he lit his cigarette, was saying to Cyril,

not bad looking. She looked her best

nabashed into a sud

ave to say of her? And you a painter, too! Why, she's beautifu

e off s

true. The two Warings were cast in the self-same mould. What attracte

nn that night, Guy paused for a moment, candle i

minute to interfere with your find. But I'm not surprised at you. I would do the same myself, if I could have see