I will keep bringing
the idea before gran until she gets used to it. I'll work the
we-should-use-the-gifts-God-has-given-us racket for all it is worth,
and you might use your influence too, Helen."

"No, Everard; there are very few who succeed on the stage. I would not
use my influence, as it is a life of which I do not approve."

"But Sybylla _would_ succeed. I am a personal friend of the leading
managers, and my influence would help her greatly."

"Yes; but what would you do with her? A young gentleman couldn't take
charge of a girl and bring her out without ruining her reputation. There
would be no end of scandal, as the sister theory would only he nonsense."

"There is another way; I could easily stop scandal."

"Everard, what do you mean!"

"I mean marriage," he replied deliberately.

"Surely, boy, you must be dreaming! You have only seen her for an hour or
two. I don't believe in these sudden attachments."

Perhaps she here thought of one (her own) as sudden, which had not ended
happily.

"Everard, don't do anything rashly. You know you are very fickle and
considered a lady-killer--be merciful to my poor little Sybylla, I pray.
It is just one of your passing fancies. Don't wile her passionate young
heart away and then leave her to pine and die."

"I don't think she is that sort," he replied laughingly.

"No, she would not die, but would grow into a cynic and sceptic, which is
the worst of fates. Let her alone. Flirt as much as you will with society
belles who understand the game, but leave my country maiden alone. I hope
to mould her into a splendid character yet."

"But, Helen, supposing I am in earnest at last, you don't think I'd make
her a bad old hubby, do you?"

"She is not the girl for you. You are not the man who could ever control
her. What I say may not be complimentary but it is true. Besides, she is
not seventeen yet, and I do not approve of romantic young girls throwing
themselves into matrimony. Let them develop their womanhood first."

"Then I expect I had better hide my attractions under a bushel during the
remainder of my stay at Caddagat?"

"Yes. Be as nice to the child as you like, but mind, none of those little
ladies'-man attentions with which it is so easy to steal--"

I waited to hear no more, but, brimming over with a mixture of emotions,
tore through the garden and into the old orchard. Bees were busy, and
countless bright-coloured butterflies flitted hither and thither,