"Is he still alive?" "Oh, yes, he is still alive, but I have never seen him and he must be wonderfully altered. Sometimes I think of all the days that have gone by since we parted. It seems so strange to think of our lives being able to go on, when once it seemed to both of us that life could not go on at all if we were not together. It seems so strange to think of him eating his lunch somewhere at the same time that somewhere else I am eating my lunch. Who knows if he ever thinks of me, who knows indeed?" "If anything happened to prevent our marriage," began Pauline thoughtfully, and then was silent. Miss Verney opened wide her pale blue eyes. "And what could happen?" she asked grandly. "I've no business to imagine such a thing, have I?" "None whatever," said Miss Verney decidedly. But had Miss Verney's love affair been complicated by anything more than merely natural difficulties? Guy's debts and unsuccess were nothing in comparison with other elements of disaccord ... and then Pauline pulled herself up from brooding and resolutely forced her mind to contemplate a happy Summer. Had she not just now been congratulating herself upon the disappearance of all worries in this sea-air? The time at Scarborough drew to a close, and about a week before her birthday came the news of Richard's arrival from India. She and Miss Verney packed up and were home in Wychford two days before they were expected. "Richard, how lovely to see you again," Pauline cried. "And oh, Richard, I'm sure you've grown. Don't you think he has grown?" she demanded of everybody. "Richard, how clever of you to grow when you're twenty-seven." It was really like old times to go babbling on like this, while Richard sat and smiled encouragingly and spoke never a word. "Coming for a stroll?" he asked. "Oh, but I ought to see Guy first," she said. "Richard, I hope you like Guy." He nodded. "Do you think he looks like a poet?" "Never seen a poet before," said Richard. "Oh, but like your idea of a poet?" "Never thought much about poets," said Richard. "So you aren't coming for a stroll?" "I will to-morrow, but I must spend the sunset with Guy." Guy was waiting for her by the paddock, and they floated downstream out of reach of people. In their own peninsula they kissed away the absence of twenty-two days. "You look much better," said Guy critically. "I'm perfectly well." "And happy?" She answered him with her eyes. "Why, Pauline, I believe you're quite shy of me!" She blushed. "I really am a little, you know," she whispered. "Did you like Richard? Oh, Guy, I hope you did." "Of course I did." "And, Guy, you don't mind if I go for a walk with him to-morrow morning? You see, I know he's longing to hear about Margaret and himself." "But you'll come out with me in the afternoon?" "Why, of course."