"But I'm not cheering him up with any visit—I'm not particularly fond of him. I'm staying with Mr. and Mrs. Spens."
Frances opened her eyes very wide; she felt a kind of shock, and a feeling almost of disgust crept over her.
"Mr. Spens? Surely you don't mean my father's lawyer, Mr. Spens, who lives in Martinstown, Fluff?"
"Yes, I don't mean anybody else."
"But I did not think you knew him."
"I did not when last I saw you, but I do now—very well, oh, very well indeed. He's a darling."
"Fluff! How can you speak of dull old Mr. Spens in that way? Well, you puzzle me. I don't know why you are staying with him."
"You are not going to know just at present, dearest Francie. There's a little bit of a secret afloat. Quite a harmless, innocent secret, which I promise you will break nobody's heart. I like so much being with Mr. Spens, and so does Philip—Philip is there, too."
"Philip? Then they are engaged," thought Frances. "It was very soon. It is all right, of course, but it is rather a shock. Poor little Fluff—dear Philip—may they be happy!"
She turned her head away for a moment, then, with a white face, but steady, quiet eyes, said in her gentlest tones: