"It will be a relief," admitted Hench, with a fifth groan. "The fact is I am not quite sure if I have acted rightly in stealing a march on Gwen." "What do you mean by your stealing a march?" "Well, you see she knows me as Hench, and hasn't the least idea that I am her cousin who inherits the property." "What of that? You came here with the idea of masquerading." "So I did. But I didn't intend to go too far." "And you have?" "Yes!"--another groan. "We went to the Grange this morning, and when I found myself alone in the garden with her I proposed to her." "So she said to Aunt Emma." "But, Jim, you told me that she had said nothing?" "I did. It was a fib, I admit. But I wanted to hear your version of the proposal, Owain," said Vane shamelessly. "You didn't intend to go too far, nor did your cousin. But as you were swept off your feet by passion, so was she, as she admitted to Aunt Emma, with tears. Miss Evans intended to keep you at arm's length until she knew more about you. But this passion took you both off your feet, so there's no doubt of its being genuine on both sides." "On my side, certainly. But on hers----?" "The same. I hope you don't mind Aunt Emma telling me of what took place; she has your interest very much at heart." "I am glad that Mrs. Perage broke the ice," said Hench dolefully. "It makes it easier for me to talk. You see, Gwen loves me as a stranger----" "Can a girl love a stranger?" "I mean she thinks that I am only Owain Hench. When she learns that I am Owain Evans she will throw me over." "Why should she, seeing that she loves you?" "Love may turn to hate, and her dislike for my father's son has been carefully fostered by her father." "Well," said Vane with an air of finality, "it seems to me that she should be jolly glad to get back her old home by marriage with a decent chap such as her cousin is." "She doesn't believe that I am a decent chap," cried Hench irritably. "Then you must prove that you are by explaining matters," insisted Jim coolly. "Bless you, Miss Evans will look upon your masquerading as a romance." "I've got my doubts about that. She may resent being deceived." Vane remained silent for a few moments and lighted a fresh cigarette. "As a bachelor I don't pretend to understand women," he said at length, "and it is just on the cards that she may cut up rough. Still, if she loves you really and truly, as Aunt Emma assured me she does, she will forgive your innocent deception. After all, by concealing the truth you only gave yourself a fair chance of being judged on your merits." Hench nodded wearily. "That of course was my idea of masquerading, and it was a right idea, seeing how strongly her father has prejudiced her against me. I am a kind of monster in her eyes in my capacity of heir"--Hench turned restlessly--"I must tell her, I suppose." "You must, and as soon as possible," advised his mentor firmly. "If you don't, the information may come from a less pleasant quarter."