At Perchton, which was the nearest station to Polwellin, Alice quite expected to find her father waiting for her, since, little as he loved her, he must surely be anxious to see how she looked after her long absence. But Mr. Enistor was not on the platform, and Alice with a rather forlorn feeling alighted from her compartment. In London she had grown accustomed to love and attention, so the neglect of the present moment brought on her depression again. But that vanished in a trice when a strong hand took the small bag she was carrying, and a strong voice sounded in her ears. "Here you are at last," said Julian brightly. "I have been waiting for nearly an hour, Alice." "Oh, Julian!" she took his hand, to press it warmly. "I am so glad you are here. I was feeling quite dismal because father has not come to meet me." "I thought you would be. Yesterday I asked him if he intended to come to Perchton, but as he said that he had no time I came in his stead." "And left your painting. How good of you." "Not at all. We are brother and sister, are we not?" "I don't think many brothers would take so much trouble to be kind to their sisters," said Alice brightly. "Did father send the carriage?" "No. One of the horses is laid up. But a friend of mine has a motor, so I made him lend it to take you to Tremore. Where is your baggage?" "Oh, I must look for it in the van and get a porter and----" "You'll do nothing of the sort," interrupted Hardwick quickly, "go and sit in the motor; there it is. I can see to your boxes. How many?" "Two large and one small," said Alice, and gladly settled herself in the very comfortable vehicle, while Julian went back into the station. Shortly he returned with a porter and the boxes were duly placed on the motor. Julian stepped in beside the girl, and a word to the chauffeur sent the splendid machine humming down the narrow street like a giant bee. Then the two had time to look at one another, and Julian approved of the girl's appearance. Love had made her blossom like a rose. She was less ethereal than she had been, and the sad look on her delicate face had vanished. Also, as Mrs. Barrast had attended to her frocks, and had introduced her to Madame Coralie, the girl was singularly smart and attractive as regards clothes. A smile was on Julian's face as he looked at her. "You went away a duckling and you return a swan," he said. "Oh, what a doubtful compliment," said Alice gaily; "am I then, or rather was I, an ugly duckling?" "No, my dear, you were never an _ugly_ duckling, but what I mean is that you have turned from a fairy into a pretty nymph." "That is better," said Miss Enistor graciously, as the motor whizzed out of the town and began to climb the long winding road to the moors. "You are improving, Julian. But you don't ask me how I have enjoyed myself." "There is no need. Your appearance speaks for you." Alice laughed. "Do you think that my looks are due simply to a short season of pleasure in London?"