ay to that?"

"It sounds exceedingly--er--unlike Katrine!"

"Yes, doesn't it? Isn't it splendid? And she loved it. Her only worry
was that _bits_ of her looked so nice, that she was longing all the time
to see herself full length.--However, `_Jim_' has taken her photograph!"

"I hope he will make her happy. Katrine has a difficult nature, and it
was such a very short acquaintance."

"Oh, well! but they knew a great deal of each other."

Grizel's smile was enigmatic, for the secret of Katrine Beverley's
correspondence with her unknown lover was not divulged outside the
family circle. She said good-bye to the Vicar's wife at the parting of
the way, and turned in at the gate of her own domain.

Daffodils were nodding among the grass. A bed beneath the window was
ablaze with many-coloured anemones, the shimmer of green was on the
trees; and at the study window stood Martin watching for her return.
Grizel's heart swelled within her. Despite the enlargement made for her
benefit, despite the general air of freshness and prosperity, it was
after all but a modest establishment, ludicrously small when contrasted
with her former homes, yet for Grizel all the riches and treasures of
life were contained within those four walls. With the clanging of the
gate the world was shut out, and she entered home as a sanctuary. Most
of us are so occupied regretting past joys, and planning joys for the
future, that it is only at rare moments that we realise the joy of the
present. "I was so happy."

"I shall be so happy." These are expressions of daily use. The sound
of "I _am_ happy," is so rare as to bring with it the effect of shock.
Grizel was one of the fortunate ones who continually realise the
happiness of the present, but even she had her positives and
superlatives. Since hearing the news of the hour she had been conscious
of a weight of depression, but with the opening of the gate that weight
disappeared. It seemed as if no joy that life could have to bestow
could exceed that of home-coming, with the sight of Martin waiting for
her return!

She smiled in answer to his waving hand, but his quick eye caught the
sobered expression on her face, and he hurried to meet her, and drew her
into the drawing-room.

"Anything the matter, my precious one? Anything troubling you?"

Grizel leant her head on his shoulder with a forgetfulness of coiffure
which in itself would have raised his apprehension. Her hands clasped
t