'Nonsense, Maggie!' returned Geraldine, glancing behind her to see if Audrey were within earshot. 'How can you make such absurd comparisons? Of course Mr. Blake is good-looking; but, for my own part, I always distrust handsome men.' 'They are generally such fools, you see. I hate talking to a man who is too self-engrossed to pay me attention. But Mr. Blake is thoroughly nice. I must go to Audrey and tell her how much I admire her _fiance_.' 'Thank goodness, that is over!' exclaimed Cyril fervently, as Audrey joined him in the porch. 'I have not had a word with you yet.' Audrey smiled as she gathered up her long dress and stepped out into the dark shrubberies. 'It was very pleasant,' she observed tranquilly. 'The Walter Harcourts are clever, amusing people. You got on capitally with both of them; and, Cyril, I am sure Gage was as nice as possible.' 'Oh yes!' he returned quickly; 'and I admire her excessively; but, all the same, I shall never feel at my ease with her.' And, as Audrey uttered a protest at this, he continued seriously: 'Of course, I know what Mrs. Harcourt thinks of my presumption; her manner told me that at once. "You are not one of us"--that is what her tone said to me; and yet she was quite kind and civil. Oh, Audrey'--interrupting himself, and speaking almost passionately--'if I were only more worthy of you! But have patience with me, and your people shall respect me yet.' 'Dear Cyril, please do not talk so!' and Audrey stole closer to him in the October darkness. 'You have behaved so beautifully to-night, and I felt, oh! so proud of my sweetheart. And if I am content, what does it matter what other people think?' 'Forgive me, darling,' he returned remorsefully; 'I am only sometimes a little sore because I can give you so little.' And then his mood changed, for the subtle comfort of her sweet words was thrilling through him; for he was young, and the girl he worshipped from the depths of his honest heart was alone with him under the dim, cloudy skies. Was it any wonder that the world was forgotten, and only the golden haze of the future seemed before them, as they walked together through the quiet streets to Woodcote? CHAPTER XXVII WHAT MICHAEL THOUGHT OF IT 'Not to be solitary one must possess, entirely to one's self, a human creature, and belong exclusively to her (or him).'--GUIZOT. 'How, then, is one to recover courage enough for action? * * * * * By extracting a richer experience out of our losses and lessons.'--AMIEL.