154 GAERYOWEN 



and then from the bucket broke a volume of 

 language that caused the Kstener to draw hastily 

 in and shut the window. 



She guessed. 



At this moment eight o'clock struck from the 

 landing, and Nor ah knocked at the door with hot 

 water. 



For a moment she thought of asking the servant 

 the meaning of it all; then she decided not. 



HaK-an-hour later she entered the dining- 

 room, where breakfast was laid. Mr French and 

 Mr Dashwood were already there, both spick-and- 

 span and looking like people who had enjoyed an 

 undisturbed night's rest. But there was a jubi- 

 lant look in Mr Dashwood's face and a twinkle in 

 Mr French's eye such as seldom appear on the 

 face or in the eye of man before breakfast. 



During the meal the conversation turned upon 

 indifferent matters. Mr Dashwood had several 

 attacks of choking, but IVIr French seemed quite 

 unmoved. 



When the meal was over and cigarettes were 

 Ht, Mr French, who had been scanning through his 

 letters, stretched out his hand to the bell-pull, 

 which was close to him. 



" Norah," said Mr French, when that damsel 

 appeared, " go down to the stable and send up 

 Moriarty." He ht a cigarette, and Miss Grim- 

 shaw, who had been preparing to leave the room, 

 waited. 



A few minutes passed; then came a knock at 



