te for pretty things--to be
perpetually saying "no" to one's self.'

'And yet you own that you were happy.'

'Well, yes, after a fashion. I think the poor children were, until
Kester got so ill. Mollie and I used to walk about Richmond Park and
build castles in the air. We planned what we would do if we were rich,
and sometimes we would amuse ourselves by looking into the shop-windows
and thinking what we should like to buy--like a couple of gutter
children--and sometimes, on a winter's evening, we would blow out the
candles and sit round the fire and tell stories.'

'And then you say Kester fell ill?'

'Well, it was not exactly an illness. But he seemed to dwindle and pine,
somehow, and Cyril and I got dreadfully anxious about him. I don't think
Richmond suited him, and I could not give him the comforts he needed;
and he fretted so about his want of education. He seemed to get better
directly we went to Headingly and Cyril began to give him lessons.'

'Yes, I see;' and then Audrey took advantage of the pause to look at her
watch. It was later than she thought, and she rose reluctantly to go.
Mrs. Blake rose too.

'Don't you think me an odd, unconventional sort of person to tell you
all this?' she asked a little abruptly. 'Do you know, Cyril often says
that I make him very anxious, because I am so dreadfully impulsive and
speak out everything I think; but I made up my mind that afternoon when
Cyril told me that Mrs. Bryce was a connection of your sister's that I
would talk to you about the Headingly worries on the first opportunity.'

'I am very glad you have spoken to me; I think it was very brave of
you.'

'No, my dear Miss Ross, not brave, but cowardly. I was so afraid you
would be prejudiced against me; and you must know that I have taken a
great fancy to you. I am a very strange creature: I always like or
dislike a person at first sight, and I never--perhaps I should say I
scarcely ever--change my opinion.'

'I think that is a great mistake. It is impossible to read some people
at first sight.'

'Perhaps so; but you were distinctly legible. When I looked out of my
window and saw you setting out the little tea-table on the lawn with
Mollie, I said to myself, "That is a girl after my own heart."'

Audrey laughed; but the little compliment pleased her. Somehow Mrs.
Blake's manner made everything she said seem charming. Audrey felt more
and more drawn to this fascinating woman.

'And I want you to come v