"I can always be his friend," she said to herself--"And if I once make him understand clearly how much better it is for us to be like brother and sister, he will see things in the right way. And when he marries I am sure to be fond of his wife and children--and--and--it will be ever so much happier for us all! I'll go and talk to him now." She ran downstairs and out across the garden, and presently made a sudden appearance in the orchard--a little vision of white among the russet-coloured trees with their burden of reddening apples. Robin was there alone--he was busied in putting up a sturdy prop under one of the longer branches of a tree heavily laden with fruit. He saw her and smiled--but went on with his work. "Are you very busy?" she asked, approaching him almost timidly. "Just now, yes! In a moment, no! We shall lose this big bough in the next high wind if I don't take care." She waited--watching the strength and dexterity of his hands and arms, and the movements of his light muscular figure. In a little while he had finished all he had to do--and turning to her said, laughingly-- "Now I am at your service! You look very serious!--grave as a little judge, and quite reproachful! What have I done?--or what has anybody done that you should almost frown at me on this bright sun-shiny morning?" She smiled in response to his gay, questioning look. "I'm sorry I have such a depressing aspect," she said--"I don't feel very happy, and I suppose my face shows it." He was silent for a minute or two, watching her with a grave tenderness in his eyes. By and by he spoke, gently-- "Come and stroll about a bit with me through the orchard,--it will cheer you to see the apples hanging in such rosy clusters among the grey-green leaves. Nothing prettier in all the world, I think!--and they are just ripening enough to be fragrant. Come, dear! Let us talk our troubles out!" She walked by his side, mutely--and they moved slowly together under the warm scented boughs, through which the sunlight fell in broad streams of gold, making the interlacing shadows darker by contrast. There was a painful throbbing in her throat,--the tension of struggling tears which strove for an outlet,--but gradually the sweet influences of the air and sunshine did good work in calming her nerves, and she was quite composed when Robin spoke again. "You see, dear, I know quite well what is worrying you. I'm worried myself--and I'd better tell you all about it. Last night--" he paused. She looked up at him, quickly. "Last night?--Well?"