Ten minutes later they came back; she was leaning on his shoulder and he had an arm about her waist.
"This conspiracy has been so successful," I said, "that I shall never engage in another. It would never do to spoil my record."
"You have two friends now instead of one," Miss O'Callaghan said.
"Phil," said St. Alleyne, "get up, you old dear, while Norah and I go downstairs to see my cousin, Mrs. O'Callaghan."
They left me once more, and as I dressed I felt so absurdly light-hearted that I had to sing to myself; I forget what the song was, but I know, there was something about lovers' meetings in it. As I reached the foot of the stairs I heard voices in the dining-room; one of them was rather high-pitched and hard, but it sounded pleasant enough as it said, "Well, St. Alleyne, you've beaten me this time, and I suppose I must give in, but it will take you long years to make me believe in your family."
And I concluded it was the voice of his lordship's cousin, Mrs. O'Callaghan.
TO KEEP THE DOGS DOWNSTAIRS.
Here is an interesting photograph of a pair of "dog gates" which may be seen at Slyfield Manor, near Leatherhead, in Surrey.
