"But I'll try. I'll remember all you've said. The Catacombs, and the knife, and the waterproof. I'll go over and over them till I've impressed my subconscious self with them, and they remain with me for ever. Good-bye, Cousin Thor, and I'm coming down to Cornwall very soon. Tell Mrs. Wharnecliffe to let me know when she goes. And think of me sorting out Miss Anne's wools, and getting her footstools and reading out very goody and improving books; and in the evening, playing backgammon and card games, and hiding my yawns and my weariness behind a very smiling countenance." "I shall think of you at the piano transporting a weary woman to the realms of light and beauty—and driving her out, with the spring awaking all around you. There is much happiness still in store for you—good-bye." He was gone, and Gentian turned back into the empty house with a feeling of warmth and comfort in her heart that she had not experienced since Miss Ward had left her. CHAPTER XI A VISIT TO CORNWALL LIFE at the moment with the Miss Buchans was at first rather irksome, but Gentian's nature had its compensation. If she suffered intensely, she enjoyed intensely, and the little things of life laid hold of her with an absorbing interest. Miss Horatia's horses and a couple of young terriers were a perpetual joy to her. One morning Miss Horatia saw Gentian mounted on one of her hunters which the groom was exercising. The audacity of it amused her, but when she came to breakfast she took the girl to task for her rashness. "If you want to learn to ride, practise on old Sophy, the grey mare. I don't want you to break your neck. Rufus is not fit for a novice." "I only walked him up and down the avenue. I was out playing with the dogs, and I couldn't resist mounting when he came by with an empty saddle on him. Green says I've a born seat on horseback. Do you mind? I ought to have asked your permission." "I won't have you ride my hunters," said Miss Horatia good-naturedly; "but you can ride out on Sophy if you like." Gentian flushed with pleasure. Every morning before breakfast she accompanied the groom when he exercised the horses. There was a burst of warm weather, and the hunting had stopped. After breakfast she went up to Miss Anne's room and read and worked with her, writing some of her letters, and occasionally going to the town to pay her bills, or to shop for her. In the afternoon the car was taken out. And after tea Gentian was allowed a couple of hours to herself. They dined at half-past seven, and music and games were the order of most evenings. Gentian would fly over and pay Mrs. Wharnecliffe a visit sometimes, and when Sir Gilbert was home again, she went over to him. Once a week she had her organ practices, for she resumed her organist's duties on Sundays at the little church, and always put fresh flowers on the new grave in the little churchyard.