Justin pushed back his chair from the table, walked out of the room and banged the door violently behind him. And Anstice surprised herself by a fit of tears. "He must see," she told herself, "that it is not for me to beg him to stay. If he wants the conditions altered, he must say so. How can I tell him the truth, that I shall miss him beyond words? It may be propinquity, but I never thought I should get to lean upon him, and be so happy with him! And now he is angry and hurt; but how could I answer otherwise!" Very soon every one in the house knew that the 'Squire' was off again on his travels. Justin was always a rapid packer; he was here, there and everywhere for the next two days, saying very little, quite courteous and pleasant to his wife, but nothing more. Ruffie was the only one who made open lamentation for his departure. All preparations made, Justin went off at ten o'clock in the morning. And upon the spur of the moment, rather fearing the awkwardness of bidding him farewell before the children, Anstice said she would drive to the station with him to see him off. Her husband seemed pleased with her decision. As they were driving along in the car together, he suddenly laid his hand upon hers. "You have made my home a very happy one," he said. "When I contrast it now with what it was before you came into it, I feel I cannot thank you enough. I shall see it in my mind's eye when I'm the other side of the ocean." "Home is a woman's kingdom," said Anstice. "I have only done what scores of others would have done, but I'm glad you appreciate it." He was about to say more, but the words seemed to stick in his throat, and Anstice began to talk rather nervously about the children. Then they reached the station, and there was the usual bustle before the train went off. At the last moment, Justin made Anstice get into the first-class compartment with him where he was the only passenger. "I won't say good-bye in public," he said. Then he put his arm round her and kissed her warmly. "Don't tell me this is not necessary according to our compact," he said; "you are my wife, and I'm inclined to let that agreement of ours go hang! Anstice, tell me, shall we make a fresh start when I come home again?" Anstice looked at him and smiled, but her eyes were misty and Justin's keen gaze noted it. "Shall we wait and see?" she said. And with this, he had to be content. He was gone, and Anstice, driving home, was conscious that her sun was dimmed, that the future, even amongst her beloved Fells, looked dreary and forlorn. She went over to see Miss Maybrick a day or two later, and found her rather desolate in her old home. She welcomed her gladly.