Like George Atkinson, as he had just avowed, Edina had not formed her plans. She could not decide where her chief residence should be. Mrs. Raynor and Charles naturally pressed her to remain at Eagles' Nest: but she hesitated. A wish to have a home of her own, some little place of her own setting up, was making itself heard in her heart: and she could visit Eagles' Nest from time to time. Should the little homestead be near to them?--or at Trennach? It was this that she could not yet decide. But she must do so very shortly, for she wished to give them her decision on the morrow. Turning away from the busy talkers, from the excited children; Kate in white, and little Bob, not in a long skirted blue coat and yellow stockings, but in black velvet and knickerbockers; Edina wandered away, her mind full, and sat down on a bench shaded by clustering trees, out of sight and sound of all. The small opening in the trees before her disclosed a glimpse of the far-off scenery--the Kentish hills, with their varying foliage, lying under the calm, pale blue sky. "I like Trennach," she argued with herself. "I love it, for it was my girlhood's home; and I love those who are in it. I could almost say with Ruth, 'The people there shall be my people, and their God my God.' On the other hand are the claims of Eagles' Nest, and of Frank and Daisy. I love them all. Mary Raynor says she cannot get on unless I am near her; and perhaps the young ones need me too. If I only knew!" "Knew what?" cried a voice at her elbow--for she had spoken the last sentence aloud. The interruption came from George Atkinson. He had been about looking for her, and at last had found her. Edina blushed at having allowed her words to be heard: as he sat down beside her. "I was only wishing I knew whether it would be better for me to settle near London or at Trennach," she answered with a smile. "It was very silly of me to speak aloud." "Charles Raynor has just informed us that you intend to remain for good at Eagles' Nest." "Oh no, I do not. I have never said I would; and to-morrow I shall tell them why. I should like to have a little place of my own; ever so little, but my very own. Either at Trennach, or in this neighbourhood: or perhaps--in London." "Both in this neighbourhood and in London," he interrupted. "And, sometimes sojourning elsewhere: at the seaside or at Trennach. That is what I should recommend." "You have made me a millionaire in my own estimation, but not quite so rich as that," laughed Edina. "The houses are ready for you, and waiting." Some peculiarity in his tone made her heart stand still. He turned and took her hands in his, speaking softly. "Edina! Don't you know--have you not guessed--that I want you in my houses, my home? Surely you will come to me!--you will not say me nay! I know that it is late, very late, for me to say this to you: but I will try and make you happy as my wife."