"Lucky beggar! The world which counts him a failure would think me a success, because I have plenty of money, and was born to a decent position; but looking back over my life I can't remember one single occasion when I have been really _content_. There has always seemed something wanting, a final touch of completeness floating out of reach. Yet I give you my word, if at this moment a wish would bring me anything I chose, I should not know what to ask!" Vanna looked at him searchingly, noting the lean cheeks, the hollow brow, the deep lines around eyes and mouth. "Isn't that partly physical, don't you think? You don't look strong. The body affects the mind." Her voice involuntarily took a softer tone, the feminine tribute to weakness in any form; but Piers Rendall would not accept the excuse. "On the contrary, it's my mind that affects my body. I'm strong enough. My body was born free of microbes--the poison was in my mind. That seems a hard theory, but it's true. Have you never noticed how one child in a family seems to have inherited all the weaknesses and failings, while the others get off scot free? He is plain, while they are handsome; sullen, where they are genial; underhand, while they are open. I know such cases where one can only look on and marvel--where there is no blame to be cast, where the parents have broken no law--are healthy, no relation--" Vanna winced. A shadow passed across her face, as if cast by a flickering bough. "_Don't_ talk of it," she cried urgently. "Don't! It is too pitiful, here in this glen. I can't discuss such things here. Another time, perhaps, but let me be happy here. Talk of happy things. There is so much sorrow..." Piers looked at her, and as he did so there arose in his mind the swift remembrance of her face as she had sat upon the pebbly beach a few days before--the face on which he had read tragedy. Remorse seized him. He hastened to retrieve his mistake. "Forgive me. You are quite right--the scene is not appropriate. Miss Strangeways, by the laws of appreciation, this glen is yours. I have a conviction that these trees recognise you as their queen. Lay down a law, and we will keep it. Come what may, when you and I enter this glen, we will leave our troubles behind. It shall be a space apart, in which to be busy over nothing but being happy. We will talk of happy things, happy memories, happy prospects; best of all, the happy present. It shall be a sin against the realm and its sovereign to mention one painful fact. Is it agreed?" Vanna looked around with wistful glance. "The Happy Land! That is a charming idea--to keep one spot on earth sacred to happiness! Why has not one thought of that before? Yes, indeed, Mr Rendall, I'll agree. The only pity is that I shall be here so seldom. One ought to keep one's happy land within reach."