"Unwell?" said Luke startled. "Yes, she is quite different to what she was at home. She has lost all her spirits and looks. Do you mean to say you have not noticed?" "No, certainly I have not," said Luke. "She is always very bright." "That's just like a man," said Gwen scornfully. "They never notice when their wives look ill. They are all alike. Rachel is working far too hard, it will wear her out." Luke rose greatly concerned and leant against the mantle piece looking down at his severe young judge, anxiously. "Are you sure?" he asked. "Perfectly sure. She can't stand this life; having never been used to it. It is all very well for girls who have been taught how to do things. Some of them quite like it. But Rachel has never been taught and it is killing her, slowly." Luke leant his head on his hand which rested on the mantle piece and fixed sad eyes on the girl. He was too perplexed and worried to speak. "Rachel positively slaves for you," continued Gwen unmercifully, "but you don't see or notice. Why only the other evening she carried a heavy coal scuttle into the dining-room and you were so deep in your paper that you never saw. You don't see or know half that goes on. But all men are alike. Certainly from all I see of married life I never intend to marry; if I do I am determined to be an old man's darling rather than a young man's slave." Worried as Luke was, he could not resist a smile, as the thought crossed his mind that Gwen would probably never have the chance of being either. He could not imagine any man falling in love with such an audacious young person. His smile however quickly disappeared as Gwen said: "I suppose you love her still?" "Love her!" He grew white and his eyes flashed so fiercely that Gwen for a moment quailed. "Child, you don't know what you are talking about," he said, and stood looking at her with amazement and anger. "Well you don't seem to. At home when you were engaged I now and then intercepted glances between you that almost reconciled me to losing my favourite sister, as I was assured by them that she was all the world to you, and that you would take care of her. But now you scarcely seem aware of her presence, and she might be a piece of furniture for all the attention she gets. I can't think how she can bear it." Had Luke not remembered his calling, and had he not been accustomed to keep himself in check, he would have shaken the girl who had constituted herself as his judge. As it was he went towards his writing table and began arranging his papers, saying: "I am sorry I cannot spare you any more time. When you are a little older you will understand more of the meaning of love," he added looking at her gravely, "that a man and his wife are so one that it is perfectly unnecessary for them to remind each other of their existence or of their love for one another. Happily for me Rachel understands and absolutely trusts me." Gwen rose.