Only now and then a little surprise.' 'And his girl is off her head with astonishment.

But tell me, who has been sharing the secret with you ?' 'Fredi strikes home! And it is true, you dear; I must have a confidant: Simeon Fenellan.' 'Not Mr.Durance ?' He shook out a positive negative.

'I leave Col to his guesses.

He'd have been prophesying fire the works before the completion.' 'Then it is not a dear old house, like Craye and Creckholt ?' 'Wait and see to-morrow.' He spoke of the customary guests for concert practice; the music, instrumental and vocal; quartet, duet, solo; and advising the girl to be quick, as she had but twenty-five minutes, he went humming and trilling into his dressing-room.
Nesta signalled at her mother's door for permission to enter.

She slipped in, saw that the maid was absent, and said: 'Yes, mama; and prepare, I feared it; I was sure.' Her mother breathed a little moan: 'Not a cottage ?' 'He has not mentioned it to Mr.Durance.' 'Why not ?' 'Mr.Fenellan has been his confidant.' 'My darling, we did wrong to let it go on, without speaking.