when I rejoined her. "Really I was rather
glad when you came in. He had got as far as hinting that I--he put a
good deal of emphasis on his 'you'--ought to have jumped at him! It's
quite possible that he'd have become more explicit--though it wouldn't
have come very well from him under the circumstances."

"You've deluded the young man, you know."

"Oh, it'll do him good," she declared impatiently. "Didn't he deserve to
be deluded? He wanted me for what I had, not for myself. Well, I don't
so much mind that, but I tell you, Austin, he patronized me! I may be a
sinner, but I'm not going to be patronized by Gerald Dormer without
hitting back."

"Did you quarrel?"

She smiled. "No. I'm never going to quarrel any more. He'll be back here
in no time--and have another try most likely! You see, I'm going into
training--a course of amiability, so as to be ready for Lady Sarah." She
sprang to her feet. "Do you know that this is a most exciting evening?"

"Oh, yes, I can imagine that. I've had a long talk with Lacey."

"Have you? Isn't he splendid, poor boy? You should have seen his face
when I sent him to her! He thought of nothing but her then--but I like
him for thinking of his father now. And I've brought it off, Austin! He
thinks there may be just a pretty wedding present--a trousseau check,
perhaps!" She came up to me. "This is a good thing I've done--to set
against the rest."

"I think it is. But the boy feels horribly guilty."

She nodded. "I know--and so does poor Margaret. I'm afraid she's crying
up in her own den--and that's not right for to-night, is it?"

"Love's joy and woe can be simultaneous as well as alternate, I'm
afraid."

"I can't stand it much longer." She looked at the clock. "He's to send
word over to-night, if he can--by a groom--how he's got on--breaking
the news, you know. Let's go out into the garden and wait for this
important messenger. But, whatever he says, I believe I shall have to
put my oar in to-morrow. I can't have my poor Margaret like this much
longer. She knows now why she was taken to Mr. Alison's, and does
nothing but declare that she behaved atrociously!"

We were a silent pair of watchers. Jenny's whole soul seemed absorbed in
waiting. She spoke only once--in words which betrayed the line of her
thoughts. "If I'd thought it would be as bad as this--for her, I mean--I
believe I'd have brought her here under another name, in spite of
everything, and perpetrated a fraud! I cou