She was gardening very busily, and Miss Ward was having her afternoon siesta, when a middle-aged lady appeared at her gate. She seemed in some haste and agitation. "We've had a breakdown at the bottom of the road, and I want to get to town urgently to see a sister who is ill. We heard from a cottage that there was a car for hire here. Can you lend it to us? I conclude there is a driver." "I drive my car myself," Gentian said with her greatest dignity. "I will come with you at once." The lady looked at her in a surprised fashion. "Can you take a small amount of luggage? I have a niece with me, but we shall be obliged to send our chauffeur back to the town with the car. You look very young. I know girls do drive cars in these days, but have you had much experience?" "I have done the journey from town here with perfect ease, and know the road well. Would you like to see the car?" Without waiting for an answer, Gentian led the way to her garage. The lady looked at the car critically, but appeared satisfied. She asked if Gentian could start at once. "In five minutes," said Gentian. "Then I will go back and relieve my niece's mind. It is her mother who is ill, and we have missed the train to town." Gentian slipped quietly up to her room and got into her motor kit, being careful not to disturb Miss Ward, for she was doubtful as to what that lady would say to this expedition, as it was already late in the afternoon. She left a message with the servant for her, and then drove her car rapidly down the road. She found the two ladies anxiously awaiting her. Their car was in the ditch, and their chauffeur hard at work trying to get it back into the road. It was only the work of a few minutes to get her passengers and luggage arranged for the journey, and then Gentian with glowing eyes and cheeks, and a proud consciousness of her own powers, drove steadily along the London road. The run was made very successfully. Gentian was offered some refreshment at the London house, but she declined, as she was anxious to get back. It was a very sultry evening, and there was every appearance of a storm brewing. She had got well out of London, and was in a very lonely part of the country when the storm burst full upon her. Vivid lightning and peals of thunder rather shook her nerve. It was with a sense of relief that she came to a wayside inn which possessed a garage, and very soon she and her car were taking advantage of the shelter. The storm was a heavy one, and lasted nearly an hour. Gentian had a dish of eggs and bacon and a cup of tea in the inn parlour, but there were some rough-looking farmers who tramped in and out, and she felt uncomfortable when they persisted in talking to her. One of them asked her to give him a lift. She refused, as she saw he had been drinking freely, and she was very glad when she was able to start again, and get away from them all.