n Roger, that the most important things
in the world are those most people never know about?"

I was not sure whether I knew that, or not. After last night, I was not
sure of many things. Still, if such gifts were given as she believed, if
it was merely a question of being Ethan Vere--or Roger Locke----?

But I had never seriously considered leaving the adventure.

CHAPTER VIII

"The heart is a small thing, but desireth great matters. It is not
sufficient for a kite's dinner, yet the whole world is not
sufficient for it."--HUGO DE ANIMA.

That evening Vere and I settled the business details of the developments
he had planned. Also while we three were quietly together, I launched a
discussion that had been gathering in my mind all day while I watched
Phillida.

"You are doing as efficient work as Vere," I told her. "In fact, you are
a most moderate pair! I gave you an open bank account, Phil; and you
have furnished the house for so little that I am amazed. And it is all
so gay, so freshly pretty! Being an ignorant man, the details are beyond
me. But--one servant? Aren't you working yourself too hard? I had
expected you to need several. Of course, we are not counting Vere's
outdoor force."

She turned in her low chair beside the lamp and glanced toward the
window behind her, before replying. I noticed the action, because a
moment before Vere had turned precisely the same way.

"It is good of you to think of those things, Cousin Roger," she
declared. "But, I want to be a real wife to Drawls. I do, indeed! And I
have it all to learn because I was not brought up for that. Look at this
dish-towel I am hemming. Cristina would laugh at the stitches if she
dared, yet they are better than when I began. Some day I shall sew fine
things. So it is with all my housekeeping. I think we should begin as we
mean to go on, so I have furnished the house for--us. Perhaps if it had
been for you alone, I should have chosen satin-wood and tapestry instead
of willow and cretonne. The same way about Cristina. If Ethan and I are
to save and earn this lovely place, as you offered, we cannot afford
more than one maid. You understand what I am trying to explain, don't
you?"

"Yes," I assented. "Surely! What were you looking for, just now, behind
you?"

"I? Oh, nothing! I just fancied someone had passed by the window and
stared in. I can't imagine what made me fancy that. Unless the cat----"
She hesitated.

"Bagh