“Yes; and now I am afraid he regrets his rashness, and is in terrible trouble over it—­or perhaps that is only one of several things.  Well, I had made other forecasts for him,” Mangan went on to say, with a little hesitation.  “I could have imagined another future for him.  Indeed, at one time, I thought that if ever he looked out for a wife it would be—­a little nearer home—­”

Her eyes were swiftly downcast; but the next instant she had bravely raised them and was regarding him.

“Do you mean me, Mr. Mangan?” she asked.

He did not answer; he left her to understand.  Miss Francie shook her head, and there was a slight smile on her lips.

“No, no,” she said.  “That was never possible at any time.  Where was your clear sight, Mr. Mangan?  Of course I am very fond of Linn; I have been so all my life; and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to save him trouble or pain.  But even a stupid country girl may form her ideal—­and in my case Lionel never came anywhere near to that.  I know he is good and generous and manly—­he is quite wonderful, considering what he has come through; but on the other hand—­well—­oh, well, I’m not going to say anything against Linn—­I will not.”

“I am sure you will not,” said Mangan, quietly; and here they reached the station.

The parcel had not arrived; there was nothing for it but to retrace their steps; and on their way across the common they returned to Lionel and his wretched plight.

“Surely,” said Miss Francie, with a touch of indication in her voice—­“surely, if Miss Burgoyne learns that he is fretting over this engagement, she will release him at once.  No woman could be so shameless as to keep him to an unwilling bargain—­”

“I am not so sure about that,” Mangan made answer.  “She may think she has affection for two, and that all will be well.  It is a good match for her.  His position in his profession and in society will be advantageous to her.  Then she may be vain of her conquest—­so many different motives may come in.  But the chief point is that Linn doesn’t want to be released from this engagement; he declares he will abide by it—­if only she doesn’t expect him to be very affectionate.  It is an extraordinary imbroglio altogether; I am beginning to believe that all the time he has been in love with that Italian girl whom he knew in Naples, and who was in the New Theatre for a while, and that now he has made the discovery, when it is too late, he doesn’t care what happens to him.  She has gone away; he has no idea where she is; here he is engaged to Miss Burgoyne, and quite willing to marry her; and in the meantime he plays cards heavily to escape from thinking.  In fact, he is not taking the least care of himself, and you would be surprised at the change in his appearance already.  It isn’t like Linn Moore to talk of going to bed when he ought to be setting out for a dinner-party; and the worst of it is, he won’t pay any heed to what you say to him.  But something must be done; Linn is too good a fellow to be allowed to go to the mischief without some kind of protest or interference.”