"Yes! isn't it a bore? I _am_ sick about it," she said simply. Another woman would have rolled her eyes, protested that "money was as naught when compared with love," or some such banality, but that was not Grizel. She heaved a second sigh, before recovering her cheerfulness, then added hopefully: "However! I shall soon be fifty... Katrine, are you pleased?" For a moment Katrine was silent. Then she bent her tall head and kissed Grizel on the cheek. "Yes," she said sweetly, "I'm pleased. Martin will be happy." "He is," Grizel held on to her hand. "Incredibly happy! And so am I. I've loved him a long time, Katrine. I want you to know. There has never been any one else. Thank you, dear, for taking care of him for me so well." Katrine was silent. That acknowledgment had a sting, sweet as it was, since it seemed to point out the finality of her own office. Martin needed her no longer. Grizel would take care of him now. She moved away, and sat down in a chair. "I didn't know. I should have suspected, I suppose, but you have known each other so long, and Martin showed no sign.--I thought you were just good friends." A gleam shone into Grizel's eyes; an impish gleam. Her red lips curled. "Martin would have _jumped_ at me, any time during the last five years! I had only to lift a finger; but it suited me to wait. I had my old Buddy, and I knew he would be there, waiting for me, whenever I was ready." Katrine's glance was full of wounded dignity. "You may be right. Probably you are. I begin to think I am very dense, but I don't think, Grizel, you ought to have _said_ so!" "Oh, be hanged to it, _no!_ of course I shouldn't, but it was your fault! You insinuated that he didn't care, and I won't be insinuated! He did--he does--he will, he always shall!" cried Grizel belabouring the table with a startling vigour. "And I'll kill you dead this moment if you dare to doubt it! For pity's sake, Katrine, be _nice_!" "I _am_ nice, and I'm sorry. I was jealous, and just for the moment I snapped, but I won't do it again. I _did_ suspect during that last visit, and I know he cares, but I was afraid that Lady Griselda's will might come between you. It's a difficult position for Martin." "It's difficult for Me, but--" Grizel shrugged, "what can't be cured must be endured! I'm bound to have Martin, so I shall have to put up with being poor, but I am not coming to this house, Katrine. It's too dull and dark, and full of sad old thoughts. Martin will have to find a new one for me. It will be a good thing. Keep him quiet while he is waiting." Katrine stared blankly. The news of the new home hit her like a fresh blow, removing as it did another landmark in the familiar life. Despite all her efforts to rejoice unselfishly, a feeling of unutterable loneliness possessed her. "And when will you be--?"