e thought a minute.

"I really don't see how I can. And--my boy would feel it something cruel
if I put him off like that."

"When do you see him?" he asked jealously.

"Why, on Sundays. Only on Sundays."

"Ah, that's why I've never seen him. I wondered why I'd never met my
hated rival."

She laughed.

"Oh, now, you're going on silly, like the people in the play!... I don't
believe you alf mean it."

"Don't you believe I love you?"

"How can you? You don't ardly know me, except as a friend."

"I'll tell you why I love you if you like, dearest."

"Well, why?" She spoke with girlish curiosity.

"Because you're lovely, and lovable, and sweet. Because you're a
darling."

"Oh, I say!"

"Doesn't your boy, as you call him, say these things to you?"

"Not like that. I only see him on Sundays."

"And does he kiss you on Sundays?"

"Oh yes."

Vaughan got up.

"All right, I won't worry you any more.... I'll let you be happy in your
own way, dear.... I must go now."

"Oh, _must_ you?"

She seemed very disappointed.

"Yes, I'm going to France."

"What, to-day?"

"No, next week."

"Oh, I am sorry."

"Good-bye, dear."

He went in and bid adieu to Mr. and Mrs. Brill and the "Bald-faced Stag"
for ever. He said to her father that he was resigned.

* * * * *

As soon as he had gone, Gladys went upstairs to her room, looked in the
glass, then burst out crying.

She had fallen in love with Gillie.

CHAPTER XXXIV

ROMER OVERHEARS

Romer started to go by himself for a five-mile walk, leaving Daphne,
Valentia and Harry in the garden, but a nail in his boot hurt so much
that, after the first half-mile, Romer decided he couldn't stand it any
longer, and would walk back, go quietly in, and then surprise them by
coming to tea in the garden.

He was gone a very short time, but he hastened his steps, looking
forward immensely to the removal of the boot, and also to seeing
Valentia again.

Lately he had been more than ever devoted to her. Ever since they had
been at the Green Gate she had been specially gentle and charming--but
not nearly so lively as usual. Sometimes she looked quite anxious and
preoccupied. He thought, too, that she was occasionally irritable; which
was unlike her--and her spirits varied continually.

He asked her one day what was the matter, and she assured him that
there was nothing, so he believed her. But he was always thinking about
her, trying t