"That's not true," he thought; "and _she_ knows it, and _I_ know it." Aloud he said: "Very prettily spoken, Lucy! But I am aware of my own tediousness and I won't detain you long.
Will you sit down ?" and he offered her an easy-chair, into which she sank with the soft slow grace of a nestling bird.

"I only want to say just a few words,--such as your father might say to you if he were so inclined--about your future." She gave him a swift glance of keen inquiry.
"My future ?" she echoed.
"Yes.

Have you thought of it at all yourself ?" She heaved a little sigh, smiled, and shook her head in the negative.
"I'm afraid I'm very silly," she confessed plaintively.

"I never think!" He drew up another armchair and sat down opposite to her.
"Well, try to do so now for five minutes at least," he said, gently.

"I am going away to-morrow or next day for a considerable time----" A quick flush flew over her face.
"Going away!" she exclaimed.