revor, were standing on the
steps to meet their guests. The moment she saw Trevor, Kitty smiled and
took an eager step forward to meet him. He held out his hand.

"This is a real pleasure," she said. "I had forgotten all about your
being here. Do you remember Dawlish?"

"Of course I do," he answered. "I do not easily forget pleasant
occasions."

Mrs. Aylmer now turned to Kitty, took her hand in hers, and, turning her
gently round, looked into her face. It was a good face, eyes of the
sweetest grey, delicate colouring, an intelligent forehead, lips true
and pure and honest. Mrs. Aylmer scarcely knew why she sighed, and why
a wish rose up in her heart that she had never felt before: that
Maurice, the boy she truly loved, should really like and marry this
girl. Just for the moment she forgot all about Kitty's future
circumstances; she welcomed her for herself.

"Would you like to go for a walk before dinner?" said Trevor. "Miss Keys
is rowing on the lake; we will go to meet her."

"I should be delighted. May I go, father?" said Kitty.

"Certainly, my love."

"Then will you two gentlemen come into the house?" said Mrs. Aylmer. She
nodded to Trevor, who walked off immediately with Kitty. As soon as they
got out of ear-shot, Kitty faced her companion.

"I never knew that I should meet you here. I am so glad. I heard from
Florence a few days ago; she said you were so good and kind to her when
you were in London. I must thank you now in her name."

"I should like to be kind to her, but in reality I was able to do only
very little for her," said Trevor. "Does she write often to you? How is
she getting on?"

"She seems to me to be getting on in the most wonderful way. She has
quite a considerable amount of literary work to do. Two of her stories
have already been accepted, and she is asked to do a third, and I have
no doubt that other work also will fall in her way. She will now be able
to support herself comfortably. I cannot tell you what a relief it is to
me."

Trevor smiled.

"She is wonderfully clever and interesting," he said. "I am glad she is
your friend. She has talked to me about you and----"

Just at that moment Bertha Keys, having moored her little boat came to
meet them.

She came straight up to Kitty and spoke in a defiant voice, and as if
she were talking to a perfect stranger.

"How do you do?" she said. "I suppose I must introduce myself. My name
is Miss Keys. I am Mrs. Aylmer's companion. I s