What do you think, Mr.Ducaine ?" I was more interested in the discussion than anxious to be drawn into it, so I returned an evasive reply.

Mrs.Moyat nodded sympathetically.
"Of course," she said, "you haven't seen the house except from the road, but I've been over it many a time when Mrs.Felton was housekeeper and the Duke didn't come down so often, and I say that it's a poor place for a Duke." "Well, well, mother, we won't quarrel about it," Mr.Moyat declared, rising from the table.

"I must just have a look at the mare.

Do you look after Mr.Ducaine, Blanche." To my annoyance the retreat of Mr.and Mrs.Moyat was evidently planned, and accelerated by a frown from their daughter.

Blanche and I were left alone--whereupon I, too, rose to my feet." "I must be going," I said, looking at the clock.
Blanche only laughed, and bade me sit down by her side.
"I'm so glad dad brought you in to-night," she said.