Kedgers, for instance," with the smile which, somehow, suggested Betty,
"Kedgers and the Lilium Giganteum, Mrs. Welden and old Doby threaten to
develop into quite necessary factors in the scheme of happiness. What
Betty has felt is even more comprehensible than it seemed at first."

They walked and rode together about the countryside; when Mount Dunstan
itself was swept clean of danger, and only a few convalescents lingered
to be taken care of in the huge ballroom, they spent many days in going
over the estate. The desolate beauty of it appealed to and touched Mr.
Vanderpoel, as it had appealed to and touched his daughter, and, also,
wakened in him much new and curious delight. But Mount Dunstan, with a
touch of his old obstinacy, insisted that he should ignore the beauty,
and look closely at less admirable things.

"You must see the worst of this," he said. "You must understand that I
can put no good face upon things, that I offer nothing, because I have
nothing to offer."

If he had not been swept through and through by a powerful and rapturous
passion, he would have detested and abhorred these days of deliberate
proud laying bare of the nakedness of the land. But in the hours he
spent with Betty Vanderpoel the passion gave him knowledge of the
things which, being elemental, do not concern themselves with pride and
obstinacy, and do not remember them. Too much had ended, and too much
begun, to leave space or thought for poor things. In their eyes, when
they were together, and even when they were apart, dwelt a glow which
was deeply moving to those who, looking on, were sufficiently profound
of thought to understand.

Watching the two walking slowly side by side down the leafless avenue on
a crystal winter day, Mr. Vanderpoel conversed with the vicar, whom he
greatly liked.

"A young man of the name of Selden," he remarked, "told me more of this
than he knew."

"G. Selden," said the vicar, with affectionate smiling. "He is not aware
that he was largely concerned in the matter. In fact, without G. Selden,
I do not know how, exactly, we should have got on. How is he, nice
fellow?"

"Extremely well, and in these days in my employ. He is of the honest,
indefatigable stuff which makes its way."

His own smiles, as he watched the two tall figures in the distance,
settled into an expression of speculative absorption, because he was
reflecting upon profoundly interesting matters.

"There is a great primeval thing w