She sat down on the couch, and Thorold took a seat opposite her. Then he cleared his throat and began: "It's a rather delicate subject, but I have really come to you on Godwin's behalf. He is very unhappy, and is buoyed up with the hope that possibly you will reconsider your decision." Gentian's blue eyes began to sparkle. "Well now, honestly, Cousin Thorold, do you advise me to marry such a boy?" There was a little silence. "Godwin is a frank, straightforward, good-living lad," said Thorold slowly and a little heavily. "I don't think he is from a worldly point of view a good match. But he'll have some money at my death, and—" A low ripple of laughter came from Gentian's lips. "Please excuse me," she said checking herself. "Do you think my marriage with your brother will relieve you of a rather tiresome neighbour? It might for a time, but if you are really interested in your brother, I wouldn't advise you to urge it. I am positively certain I should run away from him before I had been married to him a twelvemonth. And I'm sure you wouldn't like that. It would worry you a lot." "Do not think for a moment that I want to get rid of you." Thorold's tone was earnest. "Frankly, I have told Godwin that I consider you both too young for marriage. Not in years, perhaps, but in temperament. Still, I promised to speak to you. He is under the impression that you may alter your mind." "Now, Cousin Thorold, look me straight in the face and tell me if you really and truly from the bottom of your heart think that I should make your brother a good wife? You know I shouldn't. Waddy says I think a lot of myself. But I know my limitations. It would take much more of a man than Godwin to have the patience necessary to bear with me. I think I'm only half-fledged. I'm not sufficiently developed to be a satisfactory wife for any one. And he hasn't the character to attract or inspire me. You've done your best, but you're too truthful by nature to be a good advocate in this case. Tell him you found me a veritable block of marble, and that nothing in this world would make me ever think of him in the light of a husband. I'm awfully sorry for you both. I don't think I'm a marrying sort. I'm sure I shall go on living here and get old and grey. You won't get rid of me in a hurry." Then a dawning look came into her eyes. She clasped her hands round her knees and gazed out of the window. "If I were to marry, the man must be like a rock for steadiness and reliability; he must never fail me, never deceive me, never disappoint me. And his soul must be the strongest part of him just as it is the weakest part of me. It would be rather a one-sided bargain, wouldn't it?" She jumped up from her seat suddenly. "And now we have done with the subject, haven't we? Do come out and eat a few strawberries with me. We have such stunning ones just now." But Thorold shook his head, and went thoughtfully back to his young brother.