It was to be supposed that he was seeking for it now; he remained sometime at the window with his cousin.

But at last he turned away and came over to the fireside with a contraction of the eyebrows which seemed to intimate that Miss Garland's influence was for the moment, at least, not soothing.

She presently followed him, and for an instant Rowland observed her watching him as if she thought him strange.

"Strange enough," thought Rowland, "he may seem to her, if he will!" Roderick directed his glance to his friend with a certain peremptory air, which--roughly interpreted--was equivalent to a request to share the intellectual expense of entertaining the ladies.

"Good heavens!" Rowland cried within himself; "is he already tired of them ?" "To-morrow, of course, we must begin to put you through the mill," Roderick said to his mother.