have been wanting to come; but you cannot imagine how many hindrances I
have had."

"Oh, but I can indeed!" with earnest emphasis--"I can indeed! And have
grieved that I was not able to be of some service to you in your--your
very difficult position. I did not like to seem to force myself upon
you, but I hoped--I confidently hoped that you would send for me, if
it was in my power to be of the slightest assistance to you."

"Oh, yes--thank you so much--if I had needed anybody. But there were
only too many kind friends."

"Aha! Yes, I expect so." His eye lighted and his lip curled craftily.
"I have no doubt whatever of THAT. 'Where the carcase is--' You know
the rest?"

"I am not a carcase," she rallied him playfully--for quite the first
time in her life.

"No, indeed; I should have said 'prey'. Ah, my dear De--Miss
Pennycuick, you will find plenty and to spare of so-called friends,
professing anxiety to serve you, when their only object is to serve
themselves."

"I expect so," she assented, smiling.

"So young a girl"--subtle flattery this, now that Deb was in her late
thirties--"to be suddenly called to a position of such immense danger
and responsibility! But"--cheeringly--"I said when I heard of it that
Mr Thornycroft had justified my high opinion of his judgment and