CHAPTER IX--GONE OVER TO THE ENEMY



"Can I teach thee, my beloved? can I teach thee?"
E. B. BROWNING.


Agatha came home in due time, and Magdalen sent her sister to meet
her at the station, where they found a merry Clipstone party in the
waggonette waiting for Gillian, who was to come home at the same
time. There was so much discussion of the new golf ground, that Vera
had hardly a hand or a glance to bestow on Mr. Delrio, who jumped out
of the same train, shook hands with Agatha, and bestirred himself in
finding her luggage and calling a cab.

"How he is improved! What a pleasing, gentlemanly fellow he looks!"
she exclaimed, as she waved her thanks, while driving off in the cab.

"Is he not?" said Paula, while Vera bridled and blushed. "You will
be delighted with his work. I never saw anything more lovely than
little St. Cyriac the martyr."

"He is taken from Mrs. Henderson's little boy," added Vera; "such a
dear little darling."

"And his mother is to be done; indeed, he has sketched her for St.
Juliet."

"Flapsy! St. Romeo, too, I suppose?"