actly how they liked
best to be entertained, and finding it difficult to think of things to
say, in keeping up a conversation. But there was no such difficulty with
this child. It was really interesting to draw the little creature out,
and see what she would say next. As for finding Angel, however, when the
time came to do that, he thought he would prefer to bid Angel's daughter
goodbye at the door. He had no fancy for scraping up an acquaintance
with strangers through their children.

[Illustration: CHAPTER SIX]

FAIRY FATHERS MUST VANISH

[Illustration: R]

Rosemary sat in silence for a few moments, taking in the full meaning of
her companion's answer to her last question. He had forgotten that Angel
was Angel! Though she was warmly wrapped in a soft rug of silvery fur, a
chill crept into her heart. Could it be that Nurse's words about father
had been true, after all; and if they were, was she doing harm, rather
than good, in bringing him home?

Presently Hugh waked out of his own thoughts, and noticed the little
girl's silence.

"You're not afraid?" he asked, blissfully unconscious of offence. "I'm
not driving too fast to please you?"

"Oh no," said Rosemary.

"You're not cold?"

"No, thank you."

"Nor tired?"

"No, not tired."

"But something is the matter?"

"I'm worrying," confessed the child.

"What about, little one?"

"I'm not sure if I ought to have spoken to you, or have come with you,
after all."

To save his life, Hugh could not have helped laughing, though it was
evidently a matter of serious importance. "What, do you think we ought
to have a chaperon?" he asked. "Paul's in the tonneau, you know; and
he's a most discreet chap."

"I don't know what a chaperon is," said Rosemary. "But will you promise
not to be angry if I ask you something, and will you promise to answer,
honour bright?"

"Yes, to both your questions."

"Were you really unkind to Angel, before you were lost?"

This was a hard nut to crack, if his past were not to be ruthlessly
severed from Angel's by a word. He thought for a moment, and then said,
"Honour bright, I can't remember anything unkind I ever did to her."

"Oh, I'm so glad. I was afraid, when you said you'd forgotten--but maybe
her name wasn't Angel, then?"

"That was it, I'm sure," replied Hugh, soothingly. "Maybe you named her
Angel, yourself?"

"I don't know," said Rosemary. "She seems to have been it, always, ever
since I can remember.