ell, a rare and charming accomplishment, and Pixie regarded him with
benign approval.

"Quite romantic, isn't it? The noble kinsman journeying in state to
demand the hand of the charming maid, falls ill of the perils of the
way, and encounters a simple cottage maid gathering flowers, who
succours the stranger in distress. Their identity is then revealed. ...
I _do_ love romances!" cried Pixie gushingly. "And it's much nicer
having an interview out here than in a stuffy room ... Please, Mr
Kinsman--begin!"

He frowned, bit at his under lip, and moved restlessly on the seat,
glancing once and again at the girl's bright, unclouded face.

"I'm afraid," he began slowly, "that the matter is not altogether as
simple as you suppose. Stanor is not in a position to marry without my
consent. I think he has not sufficiently appreciated this fact. If he
had consulted me in the first instance I should have endeavoured to
prevent--"

She turned her eyes upon him like a frightened child. There was no
trace of anger, nor wounded pride--those he could have faced with ease--
but the simple shock of the young face smote on his heart.

"I had not seen you, remember!" he cried quickly. "My decision had no
personal element. I object at this stage to Stanor becoming engaged
to--anybody. He has, no doubt, explained to you our relationship. His
parents being dead, I made myself responsible for his training. He may
have explained to you also my wish that for a few years he should be
free to enjoy his youth without any sense of responsibility?"

Pixie nodded gravely.

"He has. I understood. You had missed those years yourself, and knew
they could never come back, so you gave them to him as a gift--young,
happy years without a care, that he could treasure up in his mind and
remember all his life. 'Twas a big gift! Stanor, and I are grateful to
you--"

Stephen Glynn looked at her: a long, thoughtful glance. The programme
which he had mapped out for his nephew had been unusual enough to
attract much notice. He had been alternately annoyed and amused by the
criticism of his neighbours, all of whom seemed incapable of
understanding his real motives. It seemed a strange thing that it
should be reserved for this slip of a girl to see into his inmost heart.
He was touched and impressed, but that "Stanor and I" hardened him to
his task.

"Thank you. You _do_ understand. At the moment Stanor may perhaps be
inclined to quest