's safety in numbers, and after all
she's extraordinarily attractive to men."

"Yes," said Miss Pendarth, "there _is_ safety in numbers, and it's said
that Colonel Crofton was almost insanely jealous. They seem to have led a
miserable existence, constantly quarrelling about money, too, and often
changing their servants. On at least one occasion Mrs. Crofton went away,
leaving him quite alone, with only their odd man to look after him, for
something like a fortnight. Colonel Crofton's only interest in life was
the terriers which he apparently bred with a view to increasing his
income."

"They can't have been so very poor," said Janet abruptly. "Look at the
way she's living now."

"I feel sure she's living on capital," said Miss Pendarth slowly, "and I
think--forgive me for saying so--that she hopes to marry Godfrey Radmore.
I'm sure that's why she came to Beechfield."

"You're wrong there! She settled to come here before Godfrey came home."

"I'm convinced that she knew he was coming home soon."

Janet got up. "I must be going now," she exclaimed. "There's a great deal
to do, and only Betty and I to do it."

"I suppose Godfrey Radmore will be leaving now?"

"I hope not, for he's a help rather than a hindrance. He takes Timmy off
our hands--"

"--And he's so much at The Trellis House. I hear he dined there last
night."

"Yes, with Rosamund," answered Janet shortly.

Miss Pendarth accompanied her visitor down and out to the wrought-iron
gate. There the two lingered for a moment, and than Janet Tosswill
received one of the real surprises of her life.

"Colonel Crofton and I were once engaged. I went out to India to stay
with my brother, and it happened there. _Now_ we should have married. But
things were very different _then_. When my father found Captain Crofton
was not in a position to make what was then regarded as a proper
settlement, he declared the engagement at an end."

Janet felt touched. There was such a depth of restrained feeling in her
old friend's voice. Somehow it had never occurred to her that Olivia
Pendarth could ever have been in love!

"It must be very painful for you to have her here," she said
involuntarily.

"In a way, yes. But I suspected she was his widow from the first."

"I think that, if I were you, I would say nothing to his sister,"
observed Janet.

"Very well. I will take your advice."

She changed the subject abruptly. "Let me know if Kate can be of any more
use. She's