'Oh, yes, he does. He's a connoisseur--confound him! He appreciates her all right. But it's all for himself--not for her. By the way, I've heard his name mentioned with another woman's name. But I happen to know there's nothing in it.' 'Would you really like her to marry soon?' Anne asked. 'In her position it would be better, I suppose,' said her guardian, with obvious distaste to the idea. 'Has there ever been anyone that you thoroughly approved of?' asked Anne. He shook his head. 'I rather doubt if there ever will be,' Anne said. 'She's so clever, so impulsive! She lives so much on her emotions. If she were disappointed--in that way--it would mean so much to her,' Sir Charles said. 'She does change rather often,' said Anne. 'Of course, she's never really known her own mind.' He took a letter out of his pocket. 'I came partly to show her a letter from Ella--my girl at school in Paris, you know. Hyacinth is so kind to her. She writes to me very confidentially. I hope she's being properly brought up!' 'Let me read it.' She read-- 'DARLING PAPA, 'I'm having heavenly fun at school. Last night there was a ball for Madame's birthday. A proper grown-up ball, and we all danced. The men weren't bad. I had a lovely Easter egg, a chocolate egg, and inside that another egg with chocolate in it, and inside that another egg with a dear little turquoise charm in it. One man said I was a blonde anglaise, and had a keepsake face; and another has taken the Prix de Rome, and is going to be a schoolmaster. There were no real ices. Come over and see me soon. It's such a long time to the holidays. Love to mother. 'Your loving, 'ELLA.' 'A curious letter--for her age,' said Ella's father, replacing it. 'I wish she were here. It seems a pity Lady Cannon can't stand the noise of practising--and so on. Well, perhaps it's for the best.' He got up. 'Miss Yeo, I must go and fetch Lady Cannon now, but I'll come back at half-past six for a few minutes--on my way to the club.' 'She's sure to be here then,' replied Anne consolingly; 'and do persuade her not to waste all her time being kind to Edith Ottley. It can't do any good. She'd better leave them alone.' 'Really, it's a very innocent amusement. I think you're overanxious.' 'It's only that I'm afraid she might get mixed up in--well, some domestic row.' 'Surely it can't be as bad as that! Why--is Mr Ottley in love with her?' he asked, smiling. 'Very much indeed,' said Anne. 'Oh, really, Miss Yeo!--and does Mrs Ottley know it?' 'No, nor Hyacinth either. He doesn't know it himself.' 'Then if nobody knows it, it can't matter very much,' said Sir Charles, feeling vaguely uncomfortable all the same. Before he went he took up a portrait of Hyacinth in an Empire dress with laurel leaves in her hair. It was a beautiful portrait. Anne thought that from the way he looked at it, anyone could have guessed Lady Cannon had tight lips and wore a royal fringe.... They parted with great friendliness.