Suddenly the house door was heard to open, and the next minute Juliet entered the room carrying her tennis-racket. They knew that she had been playing tennis with friends in the neighbourhood. It had long ceased to be light enough to play, but it was not surprising that she should linger for a chat when the game was over. Mrs. Tracy was far from guessing that Juliet had but now come from a stolen interview with Algernon Chalcombe.
"Sitting in the dark?" said Juliet, as she threw herself wearily into a chair. "Well, you are wise, for it is deliciously cool here. What a warm evening it has been!"
"I have not found it at all too warm," said Mrs. Tracy.
"Ah, you have not been playing tennis."
"Did you have a good game, dear?" asked her mother.
"Yes," said Juliet indifferently.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Salome had finished her gardening, and was carefully putting away everything she had used.
"Mother," said Juliet suddenly, "I mean to join the Felgates at Folkestone. I shall go to them on Tuesday."
"My dear," exclaimed Mrs. Tracy in surprise, "have you really made up your mind to that?"
"Yes," said Juliet in a quick, decided manner, "I have made up my mind. I shall write to Dora to-morrow."