 were in so loud a voice that Amy
checked him with a forbidding gesture.
    »You'll wake Willie!«
    »By Jove! I always forget,« he exclaimed in subdued tones. »Does the infant
flourish?«
    »Oh, yes!«
    »Reardon out? I got back on Saturday evening, but couldn't come round before
this.« It was Monday. »How close it is in here! I suppose the roof gets so
heated during the day. Glorious weather in the country! And I've no end of
things to tell you. He won't be long, I suppose?«
    »I think not.«
    He left his hat and stick in the passage, came into the study, and glanced
about as if he expected to see some change since he was last here, three weeks
ago.
    »So you have been enjoying yourself?« said Amy as, after listening for a
moment at the door, she took a seat.
    »Oh, a little freshening of the faculties. But whose acquaintance do you
think I have made?«
    »Down there?«
    »Yes. Your uncle Alfred and his daughter were staying at John Yule's, and I
saw something of them. I was invited to the house.«
    »Did you speak of us?«
    »To Miss Yule only. I happened to meet her on a walk, and in a blundering
way I mentioned Reardon's name. But of course it didn't matter in the least. She
inquired about you with a good deal of interest - asked if you were as beautiful
as you promised to be years ago.«
    Amy laughed.
    »Doesn't that proceed from your fertile invention, Mr Milvain?«
    »Not a bit of it! By-the-by, what would be your natural question concerning
her? Do you think she gave promise of good looks?«
    »I'm afraid I can't say that she did. She had a good face, but - rather
plain.«
    »I see.« Jasper threw back his head and seemed to contemplate an object in
memory. »Well, I shouldn't wonder if most people called her a trifle plain even
now; and yet - no, that's hardly possible, after all. She has no colour. Wears
her hair short.«
    »Short?«
    »Oh, I don't mean the smooth, boyish hair with a parting - not the kind of
hair that would be lank if it grew long. Curly
