It was not very long before Gentian met young Godwin Holt. He arrived like a fresh sea-breeze, and made friends at once with Miss Ward and Gentian. He was a fair, curly-haired young lieutenant, with fresh complexion and mischievous blue eyes. He was very susceptible to all women's influences, and fell headlong in love with Gentian at first sight. She treated him as if he were a schoolboy on holiday. Thorold watched their intimacy with quiet amusement. One morning Godwin arrived at the Cottage at breakfast time. "Look here," he said breathlessly; "can you 'phone to your old lady, Miss Brendon, to spare you to-day? We'll take a car—not yours—because it's my affair, and go down to the New Forest. You've never been there? Thought not. We'll lunch at one of the inns in the Forest. I'm going to drag Thor away from his books and writing. Miss Ward, you'll come too. Must have an even number. It's a shame to let this topping weather go by without doing something. I see so little green at sea that I revel in forests. And you ought to know what England produces in that way!" "I can't spring it on Miss Buchan so late in the day," said Gentian, her eyes sparkling at the thought of such an outing. "Won't to-morrow do? I'm rather afraid she won't like it." "You can easily get a substitute to take your place. I'll find one for you in an hour—" "I'll try," said Gentian, "but we've no 'phone—" "Thor has. Come on over." He dragged her off with him. The 'phone was in Thorold's study. Gentian looked at him pleadingly. "Don't tell me I'm a shirker. I've driven her for ten days now at a snail's pace. And she might give me one day off." "You'd better ask for Miss Horatia. The old lady will never use the 'phone." So Miss Horatia was called up. She received Gentian's suggestion with great coldness. "My sister does not like to be deprived of her afternoon drive, and I know she won't hear of a substitute. That is out of the question. She is far too nervous of cars at present to have a strange driver. Besides, she has arranged to go and see an old friend of hers this afternoon." "Could I have to-morrow off then?" "I will see—" "Oh, chuck them," cried Godwin. "You aren't a slavey." "I'm earning my daily bread," said Gentian in a dignified tone; "and I'm in her employ." They waited rather impatiently. Miss Horatia returned in about ten minutes' time. "My sister has agreed to forgo her drive to-morrow." "A thousand thanks. I will be round at the usual time this afternoon." "Won't to-morrow do as well?" asked Thorold, looking at his young brother's disappointed face. "Oh, I hate to-morrows—always have—" "So have I," said Gentian, "but we'll make the best of it. I shall love to see the New Forest. But do let us take my car, and let me drive. That will be half the fun." "Do you want me to hire you?" asked Godwin. "For I mean to stand the treat." "You can pay for the oil we use, if you like, nothing more." Godwin frowned.