he sobbed. "I wish he never came near me! He hates me--I feel it
all the time. I'm sure he made that cat fly at me!"

Radmore remained silent--he didn't know what to say, what to admit. He
wondered uncomfortably how she had come so near the truth.

"Come, come," he said, bending forward, "you mustn't feel like that. I
don't think the child hates you, but I do think that he loves trying
experiments with that queer power of his. I'm afraid he wanted to see
whether the cat would behave as the dog had done."

"That's what I mean," she exclaimed, dabbing her eyes, "that's exactly
what I mean! I don't want to hurt his feelings, or to make a fuss, but I
should be so grateful if you could manage to prevent his coming here. I
don't want to make you vain," she smiled, very winningly, "but sometimes
I do feel that 'two's company.' Since I've been here I've hardly ever
seen you alone. I used to enjoy our talks in London! I feel, I know that
you're the only friend I've got in Beechfield."

"That's rather hard on Jack Tosswill," and though he smiled, he looked at
her significantly.

Enid was so surprised that for a moment her composure gave way, and the
colour rushed into her pale face. Then she pulled herself together. "It
really hasn't been my fault," she said plaintively.

"I'm sure it hasn't. But in a village one has to be careful. Would
it surprise you to hear that as I came along this morning, one of
the inhabitants of Beechfield spoke to me of you and Jack, and
suggested--forgive me for saying so--not only that the boy was very much
in love with you but that you--well--encouraged him!"

Enid Crofton sat up. "I've always heard that villages were far more
wicked places than towns, and now I know it's true!"

"Steady on," he said smiling, "forgive me for having repeated a silly bit
of gossip. But, after all, what you said just now is quite true--I am
your oldest friend by a long way, and so I feel I ought to give you a
word of warning. I do think the poor boy _is_ very fond of you, eh?"

Enid Crofton put out her hand and took his in hers. She squeezed it
convulsively. "I feel so miserable," she sobbed, "so miserable and
lonely!"

"Do you, dear--" And then they both started violently, and Radmore moved
his chair away with a quick movement, for the door behind them had swung
open, and Jack Tosswill, quite unaware of the other man's presence, came
through it, and at once began speaking eagerly, excitedly, in a voice so
un