Why was he so devoutly thankful that Gentian did not want to be his sister-in-law? Godwin listened to his brother's account of the interview with a moody face. "I still believe she doesn't know her own mind, but I'm not one to be begging for snubs on my knees. I'll go up to town to-morrow and—and forget her if I can." "I think that's the best thing you can do," said Thorold gravely. So Godwin disappeared, and Gentian seemed perfectly indifferent as to his existence. She never asked for him, or mentioned his visit. And Miss Ward wisely respected her silence, and kept clear of any reference to that day in the New Forest. CHAPTER IX DARK CLOUDS GENTIAN did not see Thorold for some time after this. He went away into Cornwall to visit an old friend, and though he only meant his visit to last a week or ten days, it prolonged itself into a month. She missed him more than she had thought it possible she could. Miss Ward looked at her in an amused fashion when one day she said rather impatiently that he ought to be back. "Surely you like to be free from any kind of surveillance or influence, my dear? You are always telling me that Mr. Holt presumes upon his assumed cousinship." "So he does, Waddy, but I do enjoy a scrap sometimes. It's so dull when no one opposes me. You are much too gentle, you know. It isn't much fun to fight a feather!" "Is that what I am?" "Oh, don't look hurt! You're an angel." "I don't fancy," Miss Ward said slowly, "that Mr. Holt will always stay here. He has said several times to me lately that he is feeling lazy and self-indulgent, and that he is not old enough to live the life he is doing." "Why, what other life could he live?" Gentian looked startled. "He's on ever so many philanthropic councils and committees, and always busy. How could he go away from his house? It's his own, and every one says he deserves the rest he is having. He has earned it they say." "I suppose he does seem old to you—but he doesn't to me. I rather agree with him. He is a man of exceptional ability, and there is very little real work to occupy him here." "Oh, Waddy, what stuff you are talking! People don't want work when they have money." "You are very young, my child. Money supplies the needs of the body, not of the mind and soul."