stay in London at last."

"Yes, all my wanderings are over," he answered.

"Do sit down," she said, releasing his hands. "I hope the room isn't
too hot. I have a fire chiefly for company's sake, you know."

"Have you been feeling dull?" he asked, sitting down at one end of the
large sofa, while she sank on to the other.

"Only during the evenings," she explained. "I sit here by myself night
after night. I try to read, but gradually my thoughts wander, and I'm
back at home again. Home is always the dear old house at Crowborough."

"Well now," said Mark, "what have you been doing all these weeks?"

"Oh, I--I don't know," she answered, trifling with some trimming on her
dress.

"Anyhow," suggested Mark, looking round the large room, "you seem to
have plenty of flowers."

They were standing in every available space: in pots, in bowls, in
vases; the air of the room was laden with their scent.

"They all came from Colonel Faversham," said Bridget, more soberly than
usual. "Have you seen Carrissima by any chance?"

"This afternoon," returned Mark.