could not deny that she
loved Giles and that he loved her. To end an impossible situation there
was nothing for it but flight.

Next day Anne quite determined to give Mrs. Morley notice, but when she
found that Daisy said nothing about her visit, she decided to remain
silent. Unless the girl made herself impossible, Anne did not see why
she should turn out of a good situation where she was earning excellent
wages. Daisy avoided her, and was coldly polite on such occasions as
they had to speak. Seeing this, Anne forbore to force her company upon
the unhappy girl and attended to her duties.

These were sufficiently pleasant, for the three children adored her.
They were not clever, but extremely pretty and gentle in their manners.
Mrs. Morley often came to sit and sew in the schoolroom while Anne
taught. She was fond of the quiet, calm governess, and prattled to her
just as though she were a child herself of the perfections of Mr. Morley
and her unhappy early life. For the sake of the children she forbore to
mention the name of their father, who from her account had been a sad
rascal.

Giles came sometimes to dine, but attended chiefly to Daisy. Anne was
content that this should be so, and her rival made the most of the small
triumph. Indeed, so attentive was Giles that Daisy came to believe she
had been wrong in suspecting he loved the governess. She made no
further reference to Anne, but when Miss Denham was present narrowly
watched her attitude and that of Ware. Needless to say she saw nothing
to awaken her suspicions, for both Giles and Anne were most careful to
hide their real feelings. So far the situation was endurable, but it
could not continue indefinitely. Anne made up her mind to leave.

On the day before New Year she was wondering what excuse she could make
to get away when an incident happened which set her duty plainly before
her and did away with all necessity for an excuse. It occurred at
breakfast.

The little man was fond of his meals, and enjoyed his breakfast more
than any other. He had the most wonderful arrangement for keeping the
dishes hot--a rather needless proceeding, as he was invariably punctual.
So were Mrs. Morley and Anne, for breakfast being at nine o'clock they
had no excuse for being late. Nevertheless, Daisy rarely contrived to be
in time, and Morley was much vexed by her persistent unpunctuality. On
this occasion she arrived late as usual, but more cheerful. She ever
greeted Anne