rather early and that his other friends hadn't come yet.

They strolled about the gardens, so lovely in their spring blossoming,
and it happened that from one particular place they got a specially good
view of the house.

"How much larger it is than you would think, looking at the front," Jan
remarked. "You don't see that wing at all from the drive."

"There's plenty of room for nephews and nieces," Mr. Withells said
jocularly.

"Have you many nephews and nieces?" she asked, turning to look at him,
for there was something in the tone of his voice that she could not
understand.

"Not of my own," he replied, still in that queer, unnatural voice, "but
you see my wife might have ... if I was married."

"Are you thinking of getting married?" she asked, with the real interest
such a subject always rouses in woman.

"That depends," Mr. Withells said consciously, "on whether the lady I
have in mind ... er ... shall we sit down, Miss Ross? It's rather hot in
the walks."

"Oh, not yet," Jan exclaimed. She couldn't think why, but she began to
feel uncomfortable. "I must see those Darwin tulips over there."

"It's very sunny over there," he objected. "Come down the nut-walk and
see the _myosotis arvensis_; it is already in bloom, the weather has
been so warm.

"Miss Ross," Mr. Withells continued seriously, as they turned into the
nut-walk which led back towards the house, "we have known each other for
a considerable time...."

"We have," said Jan, as he had paused, evidently expecting a reply.

"And I have come to have a great regard for you...."

Again he paused, and Jan found herself silently whispering, "Curtsy
while you're thinking--it saves time," but she preserved an outward
silence.

"You are, if I may say so, the most sensible woman of my acquaintance."

"Thank you," said Jan, but without enthusiasm.

"We are neither of us quite young"--(Mr. Withells was forty-nine, but it
was a little hard on Jan)--"and I feel sure that you, for instance,
would not expect or desire from a husband those constant outward
demonstrations of affection such as handclaspings and kisses, which are
so foolish and insanitary."

Jan turned extremely red and walked rather faster.

"Do not misunderstand me, Miss Ross," Mr. Withells continued, looking
with real admiration at her downcast, rosy face--she must be quite
healthy he thought, to look so clean and fresh always--"I lay down no
hard-and-fast rules. I do not say should my