the offer touched her. She was
surprised, however; she could not understand why he should think she was
in trouble, and indeed she was in no greater distress than she had
suffered during the greater part of the last three years.

"You are very kind, Mr. Juxon. But there is nothing the matter--I have a
headache."

"Oh," said the squire, "I beg your pardon." He looked away and seemed
embarrassed.

"You have done too much already," said Mrs. Goddard, fearing that she had
not sufficiently acknowledged his offer of assistance.

"I cannot do too much. That is impossible," he said in a tone of
conviction. "I have very few friends, Mrs. Goddard, and I like to think
that you are one of the best of them."

"I am sure--I don't know what to say, Mr. Juxon," she answered, somewhat
startled by the directness of his speech. "I am sure you have always been
most kind, and I hope you do not think me ungrateful."

"I? You? No--dear me, please never mention it! The fact is, Mrs.
Goddard--" he stopped and smoothed Ms hair. "What particularly
disagreeable weather," he remarked irrelevantly, looking out of the
window at the driving sleet.

Mrs. Goddard looked down and slowly stirred her tea. She was pale and her
hand trembled a little, but no one could have guessed that she was
suffering any strong emotion. Mr. Juxon looked towards the window, and
the grey light of the winter's afternoon fell coldly upon his square
sunburned face and carefully trimmed beard. He was silent for a moment,
and then, still looking away from his companion, he continued in a less
hesitating tone.

"The fact is, I have been thinking a great deal of late," he said, "and
it has struck me that your friendship has grown to be the most important
thing in my life." He paused again and turned his hat round upon his
knee. Still Mrs. Goddard said nothing, and as he did not look at her he
did not perceive that she was unnaturally agitated.

"I have told you what my life has been," he continued presently. "I have
been a sailor. I made a little money. I finally inherited my uncle's
estate here. I will tell you anything else you would like to ask--I don't
think I ever did anything to conceal. I am forty-two years old. I have
about five thousand a year and I am naturally economical. I would like to
make you a proposal--a very respectful proposal, Mrs. Goddard--"

Mrs. Goddard uttered a faint exclamation of surprise and fell back in her
chair, staring with wide eyes at