"The other day," said Rupert Haverford, in his quiet, seemingly unemotional way, "you came to me to ask me to help a friend of yours. You know my only reason for existence just now is that I may be of some service to other people. I cannot help feeling that perhaps I might be of some use to you. If you won't try a doctor, suppose you try me?" "Suppose we talk about something else," said Camilla. "I know I have something to say to you--what is it?" She wrinkled her brows and closed her eyes, and he looked at her almost hungrily. Lying back with her eyes closed, it seemed to him that her face had grown more delicate, that her general aspect was more fragile. The very suggestion that she should be really in trouble, that care should be fretting her, was torture to him. "Ah, I know what it was," she said, opening her eyes and bending forward. "I have a bone to pick with you. I hear that you are not pleased because Miss Graniger accepted the situation I offered her. I call that horrid of you." "I suppose I have no right to feel anything about the matter one way or another," Rupert answered; "but, in reality, I did feel a little annoyed. I was not sure that it would be a good arrangement for either of you. You see, I know practically nothing about this girl." "And you know too much about me," finished Camilla, with a little laugh. "Well, as it happens, it is the happiest thing for both of us. You can see for yourself that the children have turned to Caroline just as little ducklings turn to water; and as for myself, except for Agnes Brenton, I think this girl is the nearest approach to what I call a _real_ woman I have ever met; so I hope," with a flash of her old manner, "you are not going to interfere, exert your rights as a guardian or a parochial officer, or whatever you are, and take Caroline away." He only smiled. The question of Caroline Graniger was of no interest to him. As he remained silent Camilla felt that heart-beat sound again with heavy thuds in her ears. "Do sit down," she said to him, almost weakly; "you--you look so big, so commanding as you stand there. I assure you I am not well enough to be awed to-day. I think I must have some tea. If I have a cup of tea I shall be stronger." When the bell had been rung, and answered, she really had taken a grip of herself. "It is very nice of you to come and see me," she said. "When did you get back?" "I arrived just before lunch," he said; "I came down in the motor." "Wasn't it very cold?" He nodded his head. "Yes; the country is rather bleak just now." Then he smiled. "Now I will sit down," he said, "since my size is so alarming!" Camilla's delicate fingers were picking at the lace on her sleeve a little nervously. "So you have only been back an hour or two, and you came to see me at once. Now that was very sweet of you, Mr. Haverford. Some instinct must have told you that I was dull and lonely, and dying for a pleasant companion."