self
knew it or not, Sophia knew that this nicety of taste was due chiefly to
her own influence. The subtle flattery of this pleaded with her now on
the girl's behalf: and perceiving that Alec Trenholme was not amenable
to reason, she, like a good woman, condescended to coax him for reason's
sake. To a woman the art of managing men is much like the art of skating
or swimming, however long it may lie in disuse, the trick, once learnt,
is there to command. The milk, it seemed, must be taken down the cellar
steps and poured into pans. Then a draught of milk off the ice was given
to him. Then, it appeared, she must return to the pasture, and on their
way she pointed out the flowers that she had planted, and let him break
one that he admired.

When they reached the field Sophia proffered her request, which was,
that he would leave his discovery in her hands for one day, for one day
only, she pleaded. She added that he might come to see her the next
afternoon, and she would tell him what explanation Eliza had to give,
and in what mood she would meet her unfortunate guardian.

And Sophia's request was granted, granted with that whole-hearted
allegiance and entire docility, with a tenderness of eye and
lightsomeness of demeanour, that made her perceive that this young man
had not been so obdurate as he appeared, and that her efforts to appease
him had been out of proportion to what was required.

When he mounted his horse and rode off unmindful of the last pail of
milk, for indeed his head was a little turned, Sophia was left standing
by the pasture gate feeling unpleasantly conscious of her own handsome
face and accomplished manner. If she felt amused that he should show
himself so susceptible, she also felt ashamed, she hardly knew why. She
remembered that in his eyes on a previous occasion which she had taken
as a signal for alarm on her part, and wondered why she had not
remembered it sooner. The thing was done now: she had petted and cajoled
him, and she felt no doubt that masculine conceit would render him blind
to her true motive. Henceforth he would suppose that she encouraged his
fancy. Sophia, who liked to have all things her own way, felt
disconcerted.

CHAPTER XI.

After tea Sophia took Blue and Red apart into their little bedroom. An
old cotton blind was pulled down to shield the low window from passers
in the yard. The pane was open and the blind flapped. The room had
little ornament and was unattrac