Down on a chair sat she, a marked change coming over her air and manner.

Her bright colour had faded, her hands hung down listless; and there was an expression on her face of care, of perplexity.

Suddenly she lifted her hands and struck her temples, with a gesture that looked very like despair.
"What ails you, Rachel ?" The question came from Frederick Massingbird, who had been standing at the window behind the high desk, unobserved by Rachel.

Violently startled, she sprang up from her seat, her face a glowing crimson, muttering some disjointed words, to the effect that she did not know anybody was there.
"What were you and Roy discussing so eagerly in the yard ?" continued Frederick Massingbird.

But the words had scarcely escaped his lips, when the housekeeper, Mrs.Tynn, entered the room.