"Forgive me, my boy—I'm only wondering if Gentian Brendon would hold your heart for a lifetime. You sailors come and go, and you're apt to be extra susceptible on shore. She's a girl, I fancy, who will demand a good deal. You're as restless and emotional as she is. Will you suit each other? I'm only looking the thing fair and square in the face. I could wish for a different type of wife for your happiness. Two impatient, aspiring, eager young souls do not always go happily together in harness!" "That's just clap-trap! I don't put her in the scales and weigh every mood and attribute that she possesses—I'm in love with her. I'll never marry anyone else! Never!" A silence fell between them, which Thorold broke. "She is not unaccustomed to having young fellows in love with her. I gather from Miss Ward that she has had several proposals already, and I interviewed one lover who was badly hit. I am only telling you this to prepare you for the worst. She's a very determined young lady, and will not easily change her mind." "She's a child—a baby—she has no mind to change." But Godwin's heart sank within him. He said no more, and retired early to bed, though not to sleep. Thorold, looking across the breakfast table at him the next morning, felt very sympathetic towards him. "I'll have a talk with Gentian, my boy—and tell you the result." "If she won't have anything to do with me, I'll go up to town. I can't stay on here. The Cliffords want me to stay with them." Godwin spoke quietly, but he looked quite miserable. About twelve o'clock, Thorold went off down the road. He heard the sound of the organ in the little church, and slipped inside to listen. He was very fond of music, and Gentian was playing so exquisitely that he sat down just inside the door and lost himself in a dream. When she had finished, he waited for her in the churchyard. She came down the path talking to an old man who had been blowing for her. When she saw Thorold, she smiled and waved her hand to him. "Have you come to make tender inquiries after my poor head?" "I hope you are none the worse for the accident?" Thorold said gravely. "Just a little," replied Gentian. "I'm in a nervy, irritable state of mind to-day. Waddy annoyed me at breakfast and I was rude to her, so I came into church to get good again." "I want to have a little talk with you," said Thorold. "Waddy has gone into the town to shop. Come along in." She led the way to the Vicarage. The little room was full of fragrant roses in china bowls. The low windows were wide open, and the scent of mignonette and heliotrope came in from the beds outside. Gentian took up her position with her back to the fireplace. She motioned to Thorold to take a seat, but he declined. "Not while you stand." "Oh, how old-fashioned you are! I never get a chance of looking down upon you. If I did, it would help me enormously."