as what it seemed like to me. I was hustled out of the way when
people came, and whatever happened, it didn't happen for _me_. Sometimes
I could hardly believe it _was_ me; I used to pinch myself and say 'You
horrid little black thing, who are you? Are you "Leonore," or "Leonore
Stubbs"?--because they are two quite different people. Leonore is a
harmless little tom-fool--but Leonore Stubbs is an odious, artificial
creature, a sham all round.' And then, Sue, something, never mind what,
started a new idea, I felt that I had never really been _in love_, nor
had any one really been _in love_ with me. Godfrey and I had just been
fond of each other, and I couldn't help--yes, I could have helped, but I
didn't--trying to get up the real thing. I longed for it, I craved for
it--and I made several shots for it. Oh, I am ashamed,"--and she hid her
face.

"My poor little Leo!"

"Your poor little Leo is a mighty bad lot. However, it wasn't till Paul
came that she was--no, I don't think that she really was to blame, I
don't _indeed_;" said Leo, earnestly. "Because directly she suspected--I
mean directly she began to feel--_it_, she was frightened to death. She
was in a vile temper all the time, but she kept her secret, and Paul
does not know it yet. Oh, Sue, do you think, do you think he does?" she
broke off suddenly.

"No, dear, how should he?"

"I hoped perhaps he might. Of course I don't want him to, but still if
he did----"

"You yourself said he never gave you to understand he had any feeling
for you."

"But I didn't say he might not have--understood that I had any feeling
for him."

"Would you wish it, Leo?"

"No."

But after a long pause the face was turned up again. "Yes."

* * * * *

Still nothing was heard of Paul, and the sisters grew to talk of him
less and less. They laid plans for their future irrespective of his
existence, they visited Sybil, who had now a home on the south coast,
her husband having become a County Court judge; and they flitted
quietly up and down the various highways and byeways of rural England.

One April they found themselves in a land of hills, and lakes, and
green, leafy foregrounds.

"Let us stay here for a while," said Sue.

Beautiful scenery always appealed to Sue, and a good hotel was not to be
despised. The lapping of the waters of the lake beneath her window was
pleasant, even when the wind sent tiny wavelets running along the shore
in a so