made
all the difference. It stirred me up so fearfully." Gratian stared at
her, astonished that she could see herself so clearly. Towards the end
of August she had a letter from Fort.

"DEAR MRS. LAIRD,

"You know all about things, of course, except the one thing which to me
is all important. I can't go on without knowing whether I have a chance
with your sister. It is against your father's expressed wish that she
should have anything to do with me, but I told him that I could not and
would not promise not to ask her. I get my holiday at the end of this
month, and am coming down to put it to the touch. It means more to me
than you can possibly imagine.

"I am, dear Mrs. Laird,

"Your very faithful servant,

"JAMES FORT."

She discussed the letter with George, whose advice was: "Answer it
politely, but say nothing; and nothing to Nollie. I think it would be
a very good thing. Of course it's a bit of a make-shift--twice her age;
but he's a genuine man, if not exactly brilliant."

Gratian answered almost sullenly: "I've always wanted the very best for
Nollie."

George screwed up his steel-coloured eyes, as he might have looked
at one on whom he had to operate. "Quite so," he said. "But you must
remember, Gracie, that out of the swan she was, Nollie has made herself
into a lame duck. Fifty per cent at least is off her value, socially. We
must look at things as they are."

"Father is dead against it."

George smiled, on the point of saying: 'That makes me feel it must be a
good thing!' But he subdued the impulse.

"I agree that we're bound by his absence not to further it actively.
Still Nollie knows his wishes, and it's up to her and no one else. After
all, she's no longer a child."

His advice was followed. But to write that polite letter, which said
nothing, cost Gratian a sleepless night, and two or three hours'
penmanship. She was very conscientious. Knowledge of this impending
visit increased the anxiety with which she watched her sister, but the
only inkling she obtained of Noel's state of mind was when the girl
showed her a letter she had received from Thirza, asking her to come
back to Kestrel. A postscript, in Uncle Bob's handwriting, added these
words:

"We're getting quite fossilised down here; Eve's gone and left us again.
We miss you and the youngster awfully. Come along down, Nollie there's a
dear!"

"They're darlings," Noel said, "but I shan't go. I'm too restless, ever
since Daddy we