Caroline walked to and fro slowly in the afternoon sunshine. She wore no hat, but her head was well protected from any chilly breeze by the splendid thickness of her hair. A curious longing possessed her in this moment to follow Camilla, and urge her to come back to Yelverton. She could not quite understand the reason for this protracted separation. "There seems to be something more, something new," she said to herself. By that she meant that there was something more than that lack of sympathy with the man she had promised to marry that was actuating Mrs. Lancing in all her movements now. "What is the use of my being happy?" Caroline asked herself suddenly, "if I cannot assure happiness to others?--to these two in particular?" And half impatiently she asked herself, "Why is she so obstinate? Why cannot she see that the longer she stands alone the farther she must be away from all that she needs? Surely she ought to trust him. I can't understand why she should doubt or hesitate for an instant." The children came running up to her to show her their latest possessions, and then she had to greet Dennis, who seemed to be delighted to be where she was. "It's a real joy to be here, miss," she said to Caroline; "but didn't I tell you what it was going to be when you first came? Just look at them two little angels! They ain't the same children; I declare they ain't." "I'm sorry to hear you have not been very well, Dennis," Caroline remarked, as she collected the children and their toys and took them towards the house, for, as the sun began to drop, the air was cold. "Me ill?" said Dennis, in surprise. "Why, there's nothing the matter with me! Who said I was ill?" "Oh, I had a sort of idea you were not well," said Caroline. "Now, come along, chicks; we'll go upstairs and have a lovely game." "And Dennis shall tell us a story," said Betty, to whom the last comer was always the most welcome. Caroline walked behind the others laden with their treasures; and the stairs seemed long, and her limbs were strangely tired this day. There was, too, a curious ache when her heart beat. The bath-time was over, and two little people were tucked up in bed when Mrs. Brenton beckoned Caroline out of the room. "I hope you won't mind if we leave you this evening, but there is that concert and entertainment in the village. You said you did not care to go to it, but I think we must go. We always have supported the vicar, and he would never forgive if we did not turn up. Will you change your mind and come?" Caroline shook her head. "As a matter of fact, I have a good deal of work to do for Mr. Brenton. I have not translated my last lesson. The children are so pleased to have Dennis that she is going to sit with them." "You will dine at the same hour," said Mrs. Brenton, and with a smile she passed on. It was a significant fact she said nothing about Camilla.