"That's what I thought," said Thorold dryly. "I resolved to answer your letter in person. Shall I begin?" "Oh, do—what am I to do? Is there any hope? It all seems so dark." "It is a pity you did not live in the Early Christian times," said Thorold slowly. "What is such a misery to you was such a joy to them! Have you never, in your life abroad, visited the Catacombs in Rome?" "Yes, I did once, but I thought it gruesome." "Did you not notice the triumphant joy that was the keynote to all the inscriptions there?" "I noticed nothing. I came out of it as soon as I could. What have the Catacombs to do with me?" "Only that those early Christians took the right course as regards death. It was a joyful event to all of them, and so ought it to be to us, and if we love persons very much, we should rejoice in their joy and not think about ourselves." "Ah, now you're coming down from heaven to earth. I knew you would call me selfish, my letter was a wail of self-misery, but it's just how I felt! Of course, I hope darling Waddy is happy, but that doesn't alter my misery—I thought I could live alone, but I find I can't." "I quite agree with you." "Oh, don't be fixing up some starched old woman to live with me who will look upon me as an unpleasant duty. After darling Waddy, who really loved me, anyone, however suitable in your sight, would be a torture to me." There was silence. Then Gentian said appealingly: "I know I'm pig-headed and unreasonable. Forgive me, I don't know what I'm saying, or what I want. I really would like—" She paused, and a little bright mischief came into her eye. "I would like to come down to Cornwall and keep house for you. You've made yourself into a kind of guardian of mine. Can't a ward live with her guardian? That reminds me, I am exceedingly annoyed about something and I had better have it out with you at once. I have been looking into our business affairs—my business affairs, I shall have to say now, and I find that in the banking account which is held jointly in Waddy's name and mine, there is a certain big quarterly sum which seems to come from you. What is the meaning of it? I just left all money matters to Waddy and the dear thing has left a written paper in which she bequeaths all her hard-earned savings to me. Have you been supplementing our income ever since we came to live here?" "It was an arrangement I made with Miss Ward," said Thorold, fidgeting in his seat, and looking rather uncomfortable, "we talked it over. I considered that some of your cousin's money rightfully belonged to you, and I hope you will let the arrangement stand as it is." "I shall do nothing of the sort. I am not going to receive charity from you." Gentian's eyes flashed as she spoke. She looked really angry, then with her quick silvery moods, she dissolved into a tearful smile.