So she went upstairs to get into her habit, her horse was ordered; and Godfrey went into the library for a smoke with the Admiral, whilst he waited for her. And Adrienne, whilst she was getting ready, was thinking of her cousin Guy, and of the morning rides which she used to take with him. They seemed so long ago! When Godfrey had first proposed the ride, she was about to refuse, but he had turned to her appealingly: "I do want to have a talk with you so much. It is very personal." And now her thoughts passed from Guy to Godfrey. "I hope he is not going to bring up the old subject, and yet I almost feel it would solve my difficulties. I must stay close to Uncle Derrick now, and if I married Godfrey, it would be all so simple and straightforward. Godfrey would make an ideal husband; he is so frank, so true, so kind. Comparing him with Cousin Guy, I see now that he has just what Guy is lacking in. He is so open and confiding; one feels there is nothing behind him. Cousin Guy irritates me with his reserve and silence, Godfrey is as open as the day. I believe if he proposes again to me to-day, I shall say yes, and then I shall write to Aunt Cecily and she will see that I cannot return to her." Planning out such a future for herself, she was surprised that she did not feel more jubilant over it. Could it be possible, she asked herself, that the old Château in its quiet village had crept into her heart to stay there? She tried to put it from her, and ran lightly downstairs equipped for her ride. CHAPTER XII AT HOME AGAIN GODFREY took her up to the moor. They talked first about her aunt in France. "I thought we should never get you back," he said; "you have seemed to be taking root there." "It has been very difficult," she responded. And she tried to give him some idea of her life in the old Château. He was a good listener, but somehow she did not fancy to-day that he was quite so wrapped up in her life as he used to be, and presently she paused: "Now tell me about yourself and all the village. I have seen no one—not even Phemie. I almost thought she would have been round." "Well, she was waiting, she did not like to intrude. I want to tell you about Phemie—and myself." In a flash Adrienne saw what was coming. It struck her like a blow. Godfrey was speaking in his frank, pleasant way. "I know you will be glad. When you sent me away from you the last time, I felt I must take it like a man, and not pester you again. And somehow or other Phemie has been coming to see Mother, and we've taken a few rides together. And gradually our friendship has deepened, and I've come to know her better than I've ever done before. I always liked her as a friend, but she's more than that now. I had a little trouble with Mother. I suppose all mothers are the same; they like their sons to marry money, high birth, etc.; but she's really too fond of me to hold out against my wishes, and she has become quite attached to Phemie!"