"Excuse me, I think they are; here are two of them in a comfortable house, waited on by efficient servants, and everything to their hand. In France their sister lives alone, she has lost her daughter. The times have been hard. She has lost money, ergo, she has lost good servants, for she cannot afford to keep them. Now, as I go about the world, I see this, that half creation is overburdened, because the other half refuses to shoulder their portion. Here's your opportunity to put your shoulder to the wheel, leave the burdenless ones, and ease the big burden of loneliness and unhappiness which is bearing down your aunt. If your uncles are unselfish, they will be willing and anxious for you to do this." "And where do I come in?" asked Adrienne, trying to speak lightly. "I seem to be but a pawn in the game." "We're all pawns," said Guy, "and pawns are not to be despised, for their life is full of purpose and aim, and every step they take is a vital one. Remember that some pawns become queens." Then Adrienne laughed. She had a delicious laugh, soft and mellow and infectious. "I am beset with preachers," she said; "are all young men so serious, I wonder? You needn't pile it on, for I'm going, and my uncles are willing that I should do so. They're such unselfish dears that they are sparing me. As you go about the world, do you preach to everyone as you have done to me?" He surprised her by joining in her laughter. "I always make a bee-line to my point," he said, "and you must allow that this is a selfish age. I suppose you're not an exception to the run of girls I've come across. 'To have a good time' is the whole aim of their existence." "A moment ago it was the old who were selfish, now it is the young. What a censorious person you are!" He did not answer her, but bent his head and buried his face in a mauve lilac bush, then he straightened himself. "I'm not as bad as I sound," he said. "We must be friends, you and I." "I never shall be friends with anyone who carps and cavils at the world in general. It is so easy to find fault with the times. Everyone does it. It is second nature—first the weather, then this modern world! And yet the poor old world goes on rolling, and men and women go on living. And history repeats itself. I'm not pessimistic, and I hope I never shall be. And I've lived with kind relatives and I've nice friends. And nothing is wrong with the world, it is only individuals." Adrienne spoke hotly. There was a pink flush on her cheeks. "I applaud your sentiments, and I hope you will instil them into your aunt's heart. Poor soul, she sadly needs more optimism in her outlook." "And now, having finished judging us all, may we talk of other things?" Again he laughed. "Are you a gardener? Who supervises this delightful spot? I am sure brains have been at work in the choice of colours."