was an extra warmth and tenderness in Ethelrida's kiss, as, indeed,
there was every reason that there should be. If Zara had known! But the
happy secret was still locked in the lovers' breasts.

"Of course it must come all right, they look so beautiful!" Ethelrida
exclaimed unconsciously, waving her last wave on the steps, as the motor
glided away.

"Yes, it must indeed," whispered Francis, who was beside her, and she
turned and looked into his face.

"In twenty minutes, all the rest will be gone except the Crow, and
Emily, and Mary, and Lady Anningford, who are staying on; and oh,
Francis, how shall I get through the morning, knowing you are with
Papa!"

"I will come to your sitting-room just before luncheon time, my
dearest," he whispered back reassuringly. "Do not distress yourself--it
will be all right."

And so they all went back into the house, and Lady Anningford, who now
began to have grave suspicions, whispered to the Crow:

"I believe you are perfectly right, Crow. I am certain Ethelrida is in
love with Mr. Markrute! But surely the Duke would never permit such a
thing! A foreigner whom nobody knows anything of!"

"I never heard that there was any objection raised to Tristram marrying
his niece. The Duke seemed to welcome it, and some foreigners are very
good chaps," the Crow answered sententiously, "especially Austrians and