omfort me; and, with all his hard work, he was never too busy to
attend to me.'

'I think in your place I would have gone to your mother. You must not be
jealous, darling, if I tell you that I fell in love with her first.'

'I am so glad. Dear mother! everyone loves her. But when Gage and I were
children, I was always the one most with father. I think there is no one
in the world like him, and Michael says the same. I must write and tell
Michael about this.'

'Oh yes; he is like your brother. I remember you told me so. But,
dearest, I must confess I am a little anxious about Dr. Ross. I am only
a poor man, you know; he may refuse his consent.'

Audrey shook her head.

'Father is not like that,' she said tranquilly. 'We think the same on
these matters; we are both of us very impulsive. I have some money of my
own, you know--not much'--as Cyril's brow contracted a little--'but
enough to be a real help. But do not let us talk about that; I have
never cared for such things. If you had not a penny in the world you
would be still yourself--Cyril Blake.'

Audrey looked so charming as she said this, that the cloud on Cyril's
brow cleared like magic.

'And you do not think your father will be angry?'

'Angry! Why should he be angry?' opening her eyes widely. 'He may be
disappointed--very probably he will be so; he may think I might have
done better for myself. He may even argue the point a little. The great
blessing is that one is not obliged to consult one's sister in such
cases; for'--looking at him with her old fun--'I am afraid Gage would
refuse her consent.'

'Yes; I am afraid both Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt will send me to Coventry.'

'To be sure they will; but I suppose even Coventry will be bearable
under some circumstances. Oh dear!' interrupting herself, 'do you see
how dark it is growing? We have actually forgotten the time. I must
really be going.'

'I ought not to have kept you so long,' he returned remorsefully.
'There, you shall go! I will not detain you another moment. I think it
will be better for you to go alone. I will stay here another half-hour;
I could not speak to anyone just now. I must be alone and think over
this wonderful thing that has happened.'

'Very well,' she replied. But some minutes elapsed before the last
good-bye was said. There were things he had forgotten to say. More than
once, as she turned away, he detained her with some parting request.
When she had really gone, and the last s