really. I'd back her
against anybody. I'm terrified of her myself, I tell you frankly. She'd
wring any one's neck for twopence. Oh yes, she would! ... Then there
are the third lot who simply don't believe in Mr. Warlock's visions at
all and just laugh at him. People like Miss Smythe and Mrs. Bellaston.
A lot of them are leaving the chapel. Mr. Warlock won't listen to
anybody. He's getting stranger and stranger, and his heart's so bad
they say he might die any day if he had a shock. Then he's always
quarrelling with Martin."

Caroline suddenly stopped. She looked at Maggie.

"Martin's a terrible trial to his father," she said.

But Maggie was secure now.

"Is he?" she asked indifferently. Then she added slowly, "What do you
believe, Caroline?"

"What do I believe?"

"Yes, about Mr. Warlock's visions."

"Oh, of course, it's only because he's ill and prays for hours without
getting off his knees, and won't eat enough, that he sees things. And
yet I don't know. There may be something in it. If I were on my knees
for weeks I'd never see anything. But I'll be terribly sorry for Mr.
Warlock if the time comes and nothing happens. He'll just have to go."

They sat a little longer together and then Caroline said: "Well,
darling, I must be off. Where's that note?" She hesitated, looking at
Maggie with a wicked gleam in her pale blue eyes. "You know, Maggie, I
can't make up my mind. I've had an offer of marriage."

"I'm so glad, Caroline," said Maggie.

"Yes, but I don't know what to do. It's a man--Mr. Purdie. His father's
ever so rich and they've got a big place down at Skeaton."

"Where's that?" asked Maggie.

"Oh, don't you know? Skeaton-on-Sea. It's a seaside resort. I've known
William for a long time. His father knows father. He came to tea last
week, and proposed. He's rather nice although he's so silent."

"Why don't you marry him then?" asked Maggie.

"Well, I know Martin Warlock's going to ask me. It's been getting
closer and closer. I expect he will this week. Of course, he isn't so
safe as William, but he's much more exciting. And he's got quite a lot
of money of his own."

Strange, the sure, confident, happy security that Maggie felt in her
heart at this announcement.

"I should wait for Martin Warlock," she said. "He'd be rather fun to
marry."

"Do you think so?" answered Caroline. "Do you know, I believe I will.
You're always right, you darling ... Only suppose I should miss them
both. William