"I wish you'd let me go back to my room, Morewood, and give me that
picture. No--I won't hurt it."

"Take it, then, and pull yourself together. What's the harm, again I
say? And if she loves you--"

"What?" he cried eagerly. Then, checking himself, "Hold your peace, in
Heaven's name, and let me go!"

He went his way, and Morewood leaped from the window to find the other
two. He found them, but not alone. Ayre was discoursing to Claudia and
appeared entirely oblivious of the occurrence which he had precipitated.
Eugene was walking up and down with Kate Bernard. It is necessary to
listen to what the latter couple were saying.

"This is sad news, Kate," Eugene said. "Why are you going to leave us?"

"My aunt wants me to go with her to Buxton in September, and we're going
to have a few days on the river before that."

"Then we shall not meet again for some time?"

"No. Of course I shall write to you."

"Thank you--I hope you will. You've had a pleasant time, I hope? Who are
to be your river party?"

"Oh, just ourselves and one or two girls and men. Lord Rickmansworth is
to be there a day or two, if he can. And--oh, yes, Mr. Haddington, I
think."