They never stayed long enough for her to know them well, and now this lady--the fifth within two years--had refused to return.

Life seemed very dull.
"Need I have any more governesses, Aunt Ginevra ?" Halcyone said.

"There is an old gentleman who has bought the orchard house and he says he will teach me Greek--and I already know a number of other tiresome things." Halcyone had not meant to tell her aunts anything about Cheiron--this new-found joy--but she reasoned after she heard of Mademoiselle's non-return that the knowledge that she would have some instructor might have weight with those in charge of her.

It was worth risking at all events.
Miss La Sarthe adjusted a gold pince-nez and looked at the little girl.
"How old are you, Halcyone ?" she asked.
"I was twelve on the seventh of last October, Aunt Ginevra." "Twelve--a young gentlewoman's education is not complete at twelve years old, child--although governesses in the house are not very pleasant, I admit"-- and Miss La Sarthe sighed.
"Oh, I know it isn't!" said Halcyone, "but you see, I can speak French and German quite decently, and the other things surely I might learn myself in between the old gentleman's teaching." "But what do you know of this--this stranger ?" demanded Miss La Sarthe.
"You allude to someone of whom neither your Aunt Roberta nor I have ever heard." "I met him to-day.

I went into the orchard as usual, and found the house was inhabited, and I saw him and he asked me in to tea.