“I don’t think so; only sometimes a longing comes upon me to see the old grey walls, and to hear the old voices, and see the curious old women in their white caps and bright-coloured handkerchiefs, clattering along to the Cathedral. There must be more old women in Brittany than in Cornwall, I think. Fowey does not swarm with old women as Dinan did. And sometimes I long to see mother, and the good old Brittany servants, and the garden where the hours went by so slowly--almost as slowly as they go here”--with a sigh. “Does time go so very slowly here?” asked Allegra, quickly. “That sounds as if you were unhappy.” “What nonsense you talk!” cried Isola, with a flash of sudden anger. “Cannot one be dull and bored sometimes--from very idleness--without being unhappy?” “I don’t know; but, for my own part, when I am happy I am never dull.” “You have more of what people call animal spirits than I have.” “I’m glad you apologize in a manner for that odious phrase--animal spirits. I would not apply such a phrase to Tim. It suggests nothing but Audrey at a statute fair. Heaven gave me a capacity for happiness, and I thank God every night in my prayers for another happy day. Even at school I contrived to be happy, somehow; and think what it must be after seven years of dull routine to feel that I have done with sitting at a stranger’s table and that I am here in a home, my own home, with my brother and sister.” The two women clasped hands, and kissed each other upon this. Only the night before Isola, of her own free will, had asked her sister-in-law to make her home at the Angler’s Nest always, always, till she should be led out of it as a bride; and Martin had shown himself supremely happy in the knowledge that his sister had won his wife’s love and confidence. When Isola and he were alone together after the sealing of that family bond, he kissed and thanked her for this boon which she had bestowed upon him. “I never could have felt quite at ease while Allegra was living with strangers,” he told her. “And now my cup is full. But are you sure, dearest, that you will never find her in the way, never fancy yourself any the less mistress of your house, and of my life, because she is here?” “Never, never, never! I am gladder than I can say to have her. She is a delightful companion. She helps me in a hundred ways. But even if she were less charming it would be my duty to have her here since you like her to be with us.” “But it must not be done as a duty. I will not have you sacrifice your inclination in the slightest degree.” “What an obtuse person you are! Don’t I tell you that I am enchanted to have her? She is as much my sister as ever Gwendolen was; indeed, she is much more sympathetic than Gwen ever was.” “Then I am perfectly content.”