“No, I reckon not,” the girl lazily replied.  “I am too comfortable to move, unless the occasion is imperative.”

Katherine disappeared, but shortly returned equipped for her call, and Phillip Stanley’s glance rested appreciatively on the lithe, graceful figure in its dainty robe of pale yellow chambrey, with its soft garnishings of lace and black velvet.  The nut-brown head was crowned with a pretty shade hat of yellow straw, also trimmed with black velvet ribbon, and a white parasol, surmounted by a great, gleaming white satin bow, completed the effective costume, while the girl’s pink cheeks and brilliant eyes told, as she walked away with her companion, that she was bound upon no unpleasant errand.

“U-m!” ejaculated Sadie, with a wise nod, as she looked after the vanishing couple, “you two will make a perfectly stunning pair and—­you have my unqualified blessing.”

The arrangements with Mrs. Hunt were soon completed, for Dr. Stanley was only too eager to secure her charming cottage upon any terms.

When he spoke of references the lady cut him short by smilingly remarking that she needed no better vouchers than her friends, the Minturns.  The family would leave the next morning, she said, and it would be perfectly agreeable, as far as she was concerned, to have Mrs. Seabrook take possession the following day, and it was so arranged.

As they left the house Dr. Stanley glanced at his watch, then drew forth a time-table.

“I have an hour or so before I need to leave for Boston,” he observed, after studying it for a moment.

“Oh!  Dr. Stanley, do not say that!” Katherine exclaimed, in a tone of disappointment.  “You surely will come and have lunch with Sadie and me, then I will order the horses and we will have a nice drive.”

“You tempt me sorely, Miss Minturn,” the gentleman smilingly observed, as he met the appealing brown eyes, “but if I am to bring my sister and Dorrie here the day after to-morrow, I must get back to them tonight.”

“Yes, I can understand that you wish them to come as soon as possible,” Katherine replied, and at once yielding her point; “and you all shall have plenty of drives before the summer is over.  But, if you have an hour to spare, perhaps you would like to walk about a little; I can show you one or two fine views.”

“That will be very enjoyable,” he eagerly responded, and they bent their steps towards a point which had become a favorite spot with Katherine.

They had a pleasant ramble, talking of various matters, but without once referring to the subject of Christian Science, for Katherine purposely avoided it for several reasons.

Finally they turned their faces towards the town, when, on rounding a curve in the road, they saw the figure of a man sauntering idly along some distance before them, although, at the time, neither bestowed more than a casual glance upon him.

Presently, however, after again consulting his watch, Dr. Stanley said time was flying, and he must hasten to catch his train; so, quickening their steps, they soon overtook the stranger in front of them.