"In the first place, we are going home next week."
"So soon?"
"Yes, papa has business to attend to and we have already been absent nearly twelve months."
"I regret that I shall lose your agreeable society."
"The gap in the circle of your acquaintance, which our going away will create," said Miss Van Hoosen, "I have no doubt you will soon supply."
"Not so easily as you imagine," he answered.
"But that is not all I wanted to see you about," continued Miss Van Hoosen as her face assumed a graver expression. "You are well acquainted with Lord Maltravers."
"Yes, his lordship is a member of the same club as myself—the Travelers'. I have no reason to believe that he likes me; in fact, a coldness has always existed between us."
The young lady drew her chair closer to Jack.
"Now," she said, "what I am going to tell you, must be received in strict confidence."