next grow stern and grave and cold. They could soften, too, and
look wonderfully tender. I had seen them like that just once or twice
when he looked at me, and said, "Una!" and at the remembrance, for some
stupid reason the blood rushed to my face, and there I sat blushing,
blushing, blushing, until my very ears tingled with heat.

I said nothing, and Mrs Forbes said nothing, but looking up at the end
of a horrid silence, I saw that her face had entirely changed in
expression since I had seen it last. All the softness had left it; she
looked the image of wounded dignity.

"I understand! There is nothing more to say, then, except that if you
were so very sure of your own feelings, I cannot understand how it is
that you have allowed the matter to get this length. I am thankful to
know that my boy's principles are strong enough to prevent his
disappointment doing him any real harm. It might have been very
different with many young men. At the best it is a hard thing for us to
see his young life clouded, and you will understand that it is our duty
to protect him from further suffering. You will not think me
inhospitable if I suggest that your visit had better come to an end at
once."

My cheeks burnt. It was humiliation indeed to be told to go in that
summary fashion, but I knew I deserved it, and I should have been
thankful to leave that very moment.

"I will go to-day. There is a train at one o'clock. I can send a
telegram from the station, and tell mother I am coming. I will go up-
stairs now and pack," I cried, and she never protested a bit, but said
quite quietly that she would order a cab to take me to the station.
Talk about feeling small! I simply cringed as I went out of that room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The carriage was waiting for me at the station at the end of a miserable
journey, but no one was in it. I had hoped that father would come to
meet me. I could have spoken to him, and he would have understood.
John said he was out for the day with a shooting-party, and when I
reached the house another disappointment awaited me, for I was met by an
announcement that mother also had been obliged to go out to keep an
engagement.

"She hopes to be home by five o'clock," said the servant. "Miss Vere
and Lady Mary are in the blue sitting-room. Mr Dudley has just come to
call."

I had forgotten that Lady Mary was staying at the house, and it made