'I _am_ grieved,' said Eugenia, clasping her hands. 'You know Cecil was an old friend of mine, don't you? I met him again after many months, and in a foolish impulse we went for a drive. That is all, of course. Miss Yeo, I'm sure you're her true friend. This quarrel must be made up. What can I do? What do you advise?' 'Even if this particular quarrel is patched up, she would always be suspicious and jealous of you. It makes her miserable.' 'Poor darling, how ridiculous! I'm sure I'd be only too pleased never to see the silly boy again.' 'I quite understand all that, but, you see, she's very proud. That sort of rupture--all being connected as you are--would be noticeable to other people, and she's very sensitive--she couldn't stand it.' Eugenia thought a moment. 'Suppose we went away somewhere for a year? That would give her time to forget this nonsense. My husband has been trying to persuade me to go to the Ionian Islands with him--yachting. He'll be only too pleased if I say I will. I'm a wretched sailor, but if it would do any good--' 'It would be perfect. It would all come right.' 'Then I'll do it. I had asked them to dinner for next week. I haven't had an answer yet. I'll telegraph, putting them off, and explaining why.' 'That would be splendid,' said Anne. 'Then it's settled,' answered Eugenia briefly. Anne got up. 'Of course it must be understood that you know nothing about it--I mean about the quarrel,' she said. 'Of course not. Not a soul, not my husband, nor Cecil, nor his wife shall ever know a word about your visit, Miss Yeo.' 'That is very kind of you, Lady Selsey. I--well, you know I'm devoted to Hyacinth. At first I was almost selfishly glad about this. I could have got her back. We could have gone away together. But I can't see her miserable. She has such a mania for Cecil Reeve! Isn't it extraordinary?' 'Most extraordinary,' replied Eugenia emphatically. 'And since she's got him, she may as well be happy with him,' Anne added. 'Of course. And she will. This misunderstanding won't do any harm in the long run,' said Eugenia. 'If he had any real fear of losing her, it would do him a great deal of good. He's devoted to her really, more than either of them knows.' 'I daresay,' said Anne dryly. 'It's sure to be fixed up soon, and then I'm going away too.' 'You are! Why, Miss Yeo?' 'Oh, I don't know. I feel I'm not in the picture. I hate the sight of turtle-doves. If I've been able to do her a good turn in this little trouble, it will be a great consolation where I'm going.' 'I'm afraid you're not happy, Miss Yeo?' said Eugenia impulsively. 'I don't know that I am, particularly. But does it matter? We can't all be happy.' 'I'm sorry. I want everyone to be happy.' 'I suppose it's always a mistake to make an idol of anyone,' said Anne. 'I'm afraid Hyacinth thinks that is what her husband has done about you.' '_That_ would indeed be inexcusable!'