we were, but Vere lifted her languid eyes and said
"Stupid men! What are they afraid of? Tell them to come here at once."
And no one dared to oppose her.

I shall never forget that scene. It was like treading on sacred ground
to be there when Mr Carstairs went forward to take Vere's hand, yet, of
course, it would not have done to leave them alone. His face was set,
poor fellow, and he couldn't speak. I could see the pulse above his ear
beating like a hammer, and was terrified lest he should break down
altogether. Vere would never have forgiven that! She thanked him in
her pretty society way for all his "favaws," the flowers, and the books,
and the letters, all "so amusing, don't you know!" (as if his poor
letters could have been amusing!) and behaved really and truly as if
they had just met in a ball-room, after an ordinary separation.

"It's quite an age since I saw you; and now, I suppose, it is a case of
`How do you do, and good-bye,'" she said lightly. "You must be longing
to get away from this dull place, to pay some of your postponed visits."

"They will have to be postponed a little longer. Dudley is good enough
to say he can put me up another week or two, and I should like to see
you settled at Bylands. There--there might be something I could do for
you," returned the poor man wistfully, but she would not acknowledge any
need of help.

"Dearie me! Have you turned furniture remover? Are you proposing to
pack me with the rest of our belongings?" she cried, lifting her chin
about a quarter of an inch in feeble imitation of her old scornful tilt.
It was very pitiful to see her do it, and Mr Carstairs' lip twitched
again, and he turned and began talking to mother, leaving the coast
clear for Will Dudley. He looked flushed, but his eyes were curiously
bright and determined.

"I am so thankful to see you out again, Miss Sackville," he said.
"That's the first step forward in your convalescence, and I hope the
others may follow quickly!"

That was his cue! He was not going to allow Vere to ignore her illness
talking to him; he had determined to make her face it naturally and
simply, but the flash in her eyes showed that it would not be too easy.
She stared up into his face with a look of cold displeasure, and he
stared straight back and said--

"Are you as comfortable as possible? I think that light is rather
dazzling to your eyes. Let me move you just a few inches."

"I am perfectly happy, tha