"Do you mean that you are in the habit of swearing?" said Janetta, with a direct simplicity, which made Wyvis smile and wince at the same time. "No, I don't," he said. "I always disliked the habit, and I was determined that Julian shouldn't contract it. But I've lived in a set that was not over particular; and I suppose I fell into their ways now and then." "Apart from the moral point of view, no _gentleman_ ever does it!" said Janetta, hotly. "Perhaps not. Perhaps I'm not a gentleman. My relations, the publicans of Roxby, certainly were not. The bad strain in us will out, you see." "Oh, Cousin Wyvis, I did not mean that," said Janetta, now genuinely distressed. "It is only that--I do wish you would not talk in that way--use those words, I mean. Julian is sure to catch them up, and you see yourself that that would be a pity." "I am to govern my tongue then for Julian's sake?" "Yes, and for your own." "Do you _care_ whether I govern it or not, Janetta?" How oddly soft and tender his voice had grown! "Yes, I do care," she answered, not very willingly, but compelled to truthfulness by her own conscience and his constraining gaze. "Then I swear I will," he exclaimed, impetuously. "It is something to find a woman caring whether one is good or bad, and I won't prove myself utterly unworthy of your care." "There is your mother: _she_ cares." "Oh, yes, she cares, poor soul, but she cries over my sins instead of fighting them. Fighting is not her _metier_, you know. Now, you--you fight well." "That is a compliment, I suppose?" said Janetta, laughing a little and coloring--not with displeasure--at his tone. "Yes," he said; "I like the fighting spirit." They had been walking slowly along the path, and now they had reached the gate that opened into the grounds. Here, as he opened it, Janetta hesitated, and then stopped short. "I think I had better make the best of my way back," she said. "It is getting late." "Not much after twelve. Are we not friends again?" "Oh yes." "And will you think over what I said about my boy?" "Do you really mean it?" "Most decidedly. You couldn't come here, I suppose--you wouldn't leave home?" "No, I could not do that. How would he get to me every day?" "I would bring him myself, or send him in the dog-cart. I or my brother would look after that." Then, seeing a sudden look of protest in Janetta's face, he added quickly--"You don't like that?" "It is nothing," said Janetta, looking down. "Is it to me or to my brother that you object?" He smiled as he spoke, but, a little to his surprise, Janetta kept silence, and did not smile. Wyvis Brand was a man of very quick perceptions, and he saw at once that if she seemed troubled she had a reason for it. "Has Cuthbert offended you?" he asked. "I have only spoken to him once--four months ago."