in. "I won't
give in, Mr. Herrick! You've not given in, and you've heaps more cause
than I have. After all, I'm young and I love nature and--and my
husband--and I _have_ a soul--you told me so! And in time Owen will be
satisfied with me, won't he?"

"Of course he will!" In his heart Herrick thought the man who was
dissatisfied with this eager, enthusiastic, courageous youth must be
hard indeed to please.

"I've read nearly all those books," she said proudly, "and I can read
French ever so much better now. And I won't care for Miss Loder's cold
stares and her amused little laugh when I do something silly. And if I
go on trying, I shall soon be a fit companion for Owen, shan't I, Mr.
Herrick?"

"Dear little child," he said, laying his hand on her shoulder, "don't
try too hard! Read your books, study languages, take an interest in the
vital questions of the day--but don't lose your tenderness, your
sympathy, your freshness of heart. Grow up if you will, but don't grow
too fast! And in cultivating your soul, don't forget that a woman's
heart is her sweetest, rarest treasure after all!"

He released her gently.

"There! My sermon's over--and so, apparently, is the rain. And that
blithe footstep I hear outside surely heralds the approach of Mrs.
Spencer!"

He was right. After a loud knock the door opened briskly to disclose
Mrs. Spencer bearing a lighted lamp; and Herrick went forward to relieve
her of her burden.

"Enter the Lady with the Lamp!" quoth he, smiling. "Well, Mrs. Spencer,
the rain's over and gone, and it's time we went too, eh, Mrs. Rose?"

"I suppose so." She took up the coat she had thrown aside. "Has the
chauffeur had some tea, Mrs. Spencer?"

"Lor yes, ma'am, and enjoyed it too," responded the landlady, beaming.
"A rare good trencherman he be an' all! I'd sooner meat him for a week
nor a fortnight, as they say in our parts."

"Meet him?" Even Herrick did not recognise the idiom.

"Yes, sir--board him, give him his meat," explained Mrs. Spencer
volubly. "But I can't say as much for you and the young lady, sir."

She looked regretfully at the still loaded plates.

"We've had a lovely tea, Mrs. Spencer," said Toni, her heart very warm
towards this comely woman who had known her father. "I shall come and
see you again some day. May I?"

Mrs. Spencer immediately invited her to come as often as she liked; and
then covered both Toni and Herrick with confusion by refusing to take a
penny for their