ke
more than three months' holiday this time. One gets tired of loafing
after a busy life. I shall want to get back to work."

"Miles, how can you!" cried his sister shrilly. "Three months! In
another seven weeks--it's impossible! We have hardly had time to
realise that you are home. We made sure that you would be with us till
after Christmas at least. Three months' holiday after all these years!
Oh, Miles, you can't mean it!"

"I came home to see you all, Betty, and to satisfy myself that you were
well; when that's done there's no more excuse for lazying. I am
entitled to a year's rest, if I like to take it; but if I go back now I
shall be nine months nearer my next visit; and if the mine does all that
we expect, I shall be back sooner than you imagine. Three years--even
two--may see me home again, and then--things may be changed--it may be
easier to stay--!"

He kept his eyes lowered as he spoke, but Betty understood. Perhaps
Cynthia did too, for her pale cheeks flushed, and she made not a word of
comment.

When Miles rose a few minutes later, she said "Good-bye" to him in
exactly the same words which she had used six years before--

"Good-bye, Miles. I won't forget!"

And Miles crushed her little hands in his, and walked silently away.

At the gate Mrs Alliot was awaiting him, as on the morning of his first
visit. She looked wistfully at the stern, white face, then laid her
hand on his arm, and said in a tremulous voice--

"Mr Trevor--I--I want to thank you! You have been very brave and kind.
Don't think I have not understood--mothers always understand--but for
Cynthia's sake I was obliged to be selfish. It might have undone all
she has gained, to have had any great excitement or agitation. She is
very young yet--only twenty-two--and she looks upon you as a friend of
her school-days. It was better for every reason that your relations
should remain unchanged."

Then Miles faced her, a tall imposing figure drawn to his full height,
with shoulders squared and flashing eyes.

"For the present, yes! I have respected your wishes, and put my own
hopes on one side. Now I am going back to work like ten men rather than
one. If things go as we expect--as we have a right to expect--in a few
years' time I shall be able to live where I please, to choose my home
where it best suits myself--and others. If I live, Mrs Alliot, I shall
be home again in a few years' time, and then I warn you that nothing