As he left the Yard and turned into the keen autumn sunshine, he lifted his face to the skies and thanked the stars that he had come to London after all and placed things in proper hands.  There was nothing now for him to do but to go back to Merriton Towers and as expeditiously as possible make up for the day lost from ’Toinette.

So, after a visit to a big confectioners in Regent Street, and another to a little jeweller in Piccadilly, Merriton got into the train at Waterloo, carrying his parcels With a happy heart.  He got out at Fetchworth station three hours later, hailed the only hack that stood there—­for he had forgotten to apprise any one at the Towers of his quick return—­and drove straightway to Withersby Hall.

’Toinette was at the window as he swung open the great gate.  When she saw him she darted away and came flying down the drive to meet him.

The contents of the various packages made her happy as a child, and it was some time after they reached the house that Nigel asked some question concerning her uncle.

Her face clouded ever so little, and for the first time Nigel noticed that she was pale.

“Uncle has gone away for a few days,” she replied.  “He said it was business—­what would you?  But I told him I should be lonesome in this great house, and I—­I am so frightened at those horrible little flames that twinkle twinkle all night long.  I cannot sleep when I am alone, Nigel.  I am a baby I know, but I cannot help it.  It makes me feel so afraid!”

As was usual in moments of emotion with ’Toinette, her accent became more pronounced.  He stroked her hair with a gentle hand, as though she were in very truth the child she tried not to be.

“Poor little one!  I wish I could come across and put up here for the night.  Hang conventions, anyway!  And then too I have to make ready for some visitors who will be down to-morrow or the next day.”

“Visitors, Nigel?”

“Yes, dear.  I’ve a couple of—­friends coming to spend a short time with me.  Chaps I met in London to-day.”

“What did you go up for, Nigel—­really?”

He coloured a little, and was thankful that she turned away at that moment to straighten the collar of her blouse.  He didn’t like lying to the woman he was going to marry.  But he had given his word to Cleek.

“Oh,” he said off-handedly, “I—­I went to my tailor’s.  And then stepped in to buy you that little trinket and your precious chocs, and came along home again.  Met these fellows on my way across town.  Rather nice chaps—­one of ’em, anyhow.  Used to know some friends of friends of his, girl called Ailsa Lorne.  And the other one happened to be there so I asked him, too.  They won’t worry you much, ’Toinette.  They’re frightfully keen about the country, and will be sure to go out shootin’ and snuffin’ round like these town johnnies always do when they get in places like this....  Well, as Mr. Brellier isn’t here I suppose I’d better be making my way home again.  Wish we were married, ’Toinette.  There’d be no more of these everlasting separations then.  No more nightmares for you, little one.  Only happiness and joy, and—­and heaps of other rippin’ things.  Never mind, we’ll make it soon, won’t we?”