appy Land. Naturally! It is an appropriate walk for you to-day.
No need to ask how it goes. You look blooming--a different girl from
when you were here last. And you really like it--this buried-alive
existence? When I heard of the arrangement I could not believe it would
last beyond a few weeks. It seemed unnatural--unfair. But you have
stood it out. You have not been lonely?"

Vanna hesitated. They stood at the entrance to the glen, looking down
through a network of bare branches on the stream beneath. The ground
was covered with a carpet of leaves, the sweet, soft smell of earth rose
refreshingly in the wintry air.

"Yes," she said slowly. "I have been lonely, but--remember that I am
bound to look on the bright side of things in this place!--I have had
compensations. I am needed here. Miggles could not be left alone with
a servant, and there is a great satisfaction in feeling oneself
necessary. This new home was offered to me at a moment when I was
adrift in the world, and every one in it is kind and loving. I have
every comfort, and a dear luxury in the shape of Dinah. I am becoming
quite an experienced horsewoman, and it is impossible to feel depressed
after a gallop across the downs. And you know Miggles! It's rather
wonderful to live beside a person who is preparing for death as
cheerfully and happily as most people prepare for a holiday. We talk
about it every day, but never gloomily. In a peaceful kind of way she's
excited at the prospect. Quite suddenly she will exclaim, `Oh, I shall
see Emma. I haven't seen Emma since we were girls at school. I shall
have so _much_ to tell Emma.' And she is full of interest as to her new
work. It is to be helping her earth friends. That's quite decided.
`It's what I have been trained for, dear. It stands to reason I must go
on.' And she has quite definite ideas of what ought to be done--things
that, according to her judgment, have been overlooked, and concerning
which she can--very tactfully!--drop a gentle reminder. She has a
mission on hand for each one of us. You are to receive special
attention."

The young man smiled affectionately.

"Bless her old heart! That's well. I am thankful she is happy. It's a
great thing for her to have you; that's natural enough, but--"

He stopped short with that air of reservation which Vanna _found_ so
attractive. Never once had he descended to the banality of a compliment
in words; always it had been l