“I discovered an amazing desire to sing, which indecorous impulse I, of course, immediately inhibited and transferred the energy into conversation.

“‘The weather,’ said I. ‘has been uncommonly delightful to-day.’

“I observed that Miss Cumberland greeted this sentence with another smile.

“Presently she remarked:  ‘It has seemed a bit windy to me.’

“I recalled that it is polite to agree with ladies and instantly subjoined with the greatest presence of mind:  ’Quite right!  A most abominably stormy day!’

“At this I was astonished to be greeted by another burst of laughter, even more pronounced than the others.

“‘Doctor Byrne,’ she said, ‘you are absolutely unique.’

“‘It is a point,’ I said earnestly, ’which I shall immediately set about to change.’

“At this she raised both hands in a gesture of protest, so that I could observe her eyes shining behind the slender, brown fingers—­observe, Loughburne, that white skin is falsely considered a thing of beauty in women—­and she remarked, still laughing:  ‘Indeed, you must not change!’

“I replied with an adroit change of front:  ‘Certainly not.’

“For some mysterious reason the girl was again convulsed and broke off her laughter to cry in a voice of music which still tingles through me:  ‘Doctor Byrne, you are delightful!’

“I should gladly have heard her say more upon this point, but it being one which I could not gracefully dispute with her, and being unwilling that she should lapse into one of her usual silences, I ventured to change the subject from myself to her.

“‘Miss Cumberland,’ I said, ’I remark with much pleasure that the anxiety which has recently depressed you seems now in some measure lessened.  I presume Mr. Daniels will be successful in his journey, though what the return of Mr. Daniels accompanied by Mr. Barry can accomplish, is, I confess, beyond my computation.  Yet you are happier in the prospect of Mr. Barry’s return?’

“I asked this question with a falling heart, though I remain ignorant of the cause to which I can attribute my sudden depression.  Still more mysterious was the delight which I felt when the girl shook her head slowly and answered:  ‘Even if he comes, it will mean nothing.’

“I said:  ‘Then let us intercept him and send him back!’

“She cried out, as if I had hurt her:  ‘No, no, no!’ and twisted her fingers together in pain.  She added at once:  ‘What of poor Dad?’

“‘Your father,’ I confessed, ‘had for the moment slipped my mind.’

“It seemed to me, however, that it was not wholly on her father’s account that she was grieved.  She wished Mr. Barry to return, and yet she dreaded his coming.  It was most mysterious.  However, I had started Miss Cumberland thinking.  She stopped eating and began to stare before her.  Presently she said:  ’It is strange that we don’t hear from Buck.  What can have held him so long?’