ce
than her volatile nature would allow her to hold. And now, as she
looked at Caroline and saw that pretty pink and white face, the slim
beautiful body, the grace and gaiety, and childish amiability, her
whole soul responded. Here was a friend, even though an indiscreet one,
here was some one from home, the one human being in the whole of
Skeaton who knew the old places and the old people, the Chapel, and the
aunts--and Martin. She knew at once that it would have been far safer
had Caroline not been there, that the temptation to discuss Martin
would be irresistible, that she would yield to it, and that Caroline
was in no way whatever to be trusted-she realised all these things, and
yet she was glad.

"I don't want to curse you, Caroline," said Maggie. "Sit down. Tea will
be here in a minute. I was very unhappy about what you did, but that's
all a long time ago now, and I was to blame too."

"Oh, that's just sweet of you," said Caroline, running over and giving
Maggie an impulsive kiss. "I said to Alfred, 'Maggie may be angry. I
don't know how she'll receive me, I'm sure. She had the sweetest nature
always, and it isn't like her to bear a grudge. But whatever way it is,
I'll have to take it, because the fact is I deserve it.' But there you
are, simply angelic and I'm ever so glad. The fact is I was ridicilous
in those days. I don't wonder you lost your patience with me, and it
was just like your honest self to be so frank with me. But marriage has
just taught me everything. What I say is, every one ought to be
married; no one knows anything until they're married. It's amazing what
a difference it makes, don't you think so? Why, before I was married I
used to chatter on in the most ridicilous way (Caroline always said
ridicilous) and now-but there I go, talking of myself, and it's you I
want to hear about. Now, Maggie, tell me--" But the sudden entrance of
Grace and Paul checked, for the moment, these confidences. Caroline did
not stay long this first time. She talked a little, drank some tea, ate
a biscuit, smiled at Paul and departed. She felt, perhaps, that Grace
did not approve of her. Grace had not seen her before, certainly she
would not approve of the peach-coloured dress and the smile at Paul.
And then the girl talked too much. She had interrupted Grace in the
middle of one of her stories.

When Caroline had departed (after kissing Maggie affectionately) Grace
said:

"And so you knew her before, Maggie?"