"But why does Lady Heyburn go out of her way to throw cold water upon you and all your works ?" "How should I know ?" asked the girl, with a slight shrug.

"Perhaps it is because my father places more confidence in me than in her." "And his confidence is surely not misplaced," he said.

"I tell you frankly that I don't like Lady Heyburn." "She pretends to like you." "Pretends!" he echoed.

"Yes, it's all pretence.

But," he added, "do tell me the real reason of your absence last night, Gabrielle.