"The interview has been very satisfactory. I like your friend." "How kind of you!" Gentian's tone was non-committal. It might have been sarcasm, or an expression of pleasure. "But I have told him that you are settling down here for the present, and he must not worry you to go away, if you want to stay here." "No one will worry me to do anything that I do not want to do," said Gentian calmly. "Then why the little creases on your brow at present?" Gentian looked up at him and laughed. "You make the creases; I always feel my bristles rising when you come near. You think you've got to take care of me and guide my steps, and you want to lock me up in a glass case and keep me there." "As a precious ornament," said Thorold; "you ought to be flattered. It is only treasures that require guarding." Then he altered his tone. "I don't want to make any more creases. They do not suit you, so I'll leave you. If Mr. Paget would like to see the Vicarage this afternoon, my housekeeper will have the keys. I shall be out." "Thank you. I daresay we may stroll down there." Mrs. Wharnecliffe walked down the drive with Thorold. "I really don't understand her one bit," she confided to him; "I am pretty certain she is not in love with this boy, but what she intends to do is past my comprehension. He wants to be definitely engaged to her. I have told her it must be one thing or the other. They have been going on like this for nearly five years. It's my belief she clings to him as to an old friend, and does not want to lose his friendship. She said as much to me." "He means to settle it to-day," said Thorold. "If she sends him away, we shall have the responsibility of her altogether. I was wishing the other day that she were my daughter. Now I don't know. Girls are difficult to manage." "Miss Ward will have the charge of her very soon," said Thorold easily; "and I dare say she and this young fellow will settle it up together. He's very fond of her." Mrs. Wharnecliffe gave a little sigh. After lunch Jim Paget and Gentian set off for the Vicarage. They were gone nearly three hours, and then Jim returned alone with a very rueful face. "Where is Gentian?" asked Mrs. Wharnecliffe when she saw him. "Oh, she's staying on for the organ practice. Mr. Holt's housekeeper is giving her tea. I've been dismissed for good and all, and I think I'll go back to town to-night, if you'll excuse my doing so. There's the 7.30 express." "I am sorry," said Mrs. Wharnecliffe, and her heart ached for the young fellow, whose face looked haggard and drawn.