issed you, but I was glad that you were happy, and I knew your heart
was in the right place. We won't say anything more about it, but have a
jolly walk and enjoy ourselves."

Oh, it is good to have someone who understands! If he had scolded or
been reproachful I should have felt inclined to make excuses, but when
he was so sweet and good I just loved him with all my heart, and prayed
to be a better daughter to him all my life.

We had lovely walks after that, and on the third morning we met Will
Dudley, and once again he and I sat on a log waiting for father while he
interviewed a tenant. My heart quite thumped with agitation as I
thought that now was the time to lead the conversation skilfully round
to Vere, and insinuate delicately that she had a mania for making people
fall in love with her, and that it didn't always mean as much as it
seemed when she was sweet and gushing. It wasn't exactly an easy thing
to do, but you can't be a guardian angel without a little trouble.

"So you have torn yourself away from your friends this morning," he said
at last. "How is it that you were allowed to escape? What is the
special campaign for killing time to-day, if one may ask?"

"You may ask, but it's rude to be sarcastic. You are often lazy
yourself, though in a different fashion. You love to lie on your back
on the grass and do nothing but browse and stare up at the sky. You
have told me so many times."

"Ah, but what of my thoughts? Under a semblance of ease I am in reality
working out the most abstruse problems. I did not mean to be sarcastic;
I inquired in all seriousness how your valuable company could be
spared."

"For the best of all reasons--because nobody wanted it! Captain Grantly
wants Lady Mary, Lady Mary wants Captain Grantly. Miss Talbot wants
someone she can't get, but it doesn't happen to be me; the rest all want
Vere, and have no thought for anyone else. Men always do want to be
with Vere. Wherever she goes they fall in love with her and follow her
about. She is so lovely, and she--she likes to be liked. Everyone says
she is so charming and irresistible--they have told her so since she was
a child--and she likes to prove that it was true. If--if anyone seems
to like anyone else better it--sort of--worries her, and makes her feel
neglected."

"I see."

"Then, of course, she is extra specially nice, and seems to be more
interested in him than anyone else."

"Pleasant for him!"

"It i