Ought she, must she tell Cynthia all this? Or had Danby himself? Did he know that Clothilde was at Old Lafer? 'Do you like it?' said Cynthia at last. Mrs. Hennifer sighed involuntarily. 'It is the antipodes to yours, dearest.' 'So dark? But so was Anthony's.' 'And the expression----' 'Yes. Theo disliked it when first we all met. I did not think about him then. But every one cannot be like Anthony--have that awfully sweet look, you know.' 'That look would have become very dear to you in pain or trouble.' Cynthia flushed, then shook her head. 'This is very dear to me now,' she said. 'And I feel as though Lucius wants happiness and brightness, and I can give them. Sometimes Anthony nearly made me cry, and it vexed me always that I could not give what he wanted, at least----' she faltered and turned away. 'Never, my darling?' said Mrs. Hennifer wistfully. 'Once. There was one little moment when I could have. But it was only a moment,' she added gaily. 'And now the leaf is turned down for ever, and I shall learn every day and hour what Lucius wants, and how to make him happy.' 'Although he is so much older than you? You may be his nurse before many years are over, Cynthy.' 'Nonsense, he's not so old as that,' said she with bright impatience. 'I know his age, he's in the prime of life. But supposing he were invalided, I'd rather be his nurse than frolicking about with any other.' 'It seems so strange he should not already be married----' 'Yes, it does, I confess,' she said, lapsing into gravity. 'I have thought that too, and I said so to him. Of course I could not expect he had never had an attachment before he met me. It is partly that he has lived in India I think, and partly, chiefly, because he had once an--but why should I tell you?' she added, breaking off with a shake of her head and a laugh. 'He has told me. That is sufficient. There was some one before, I don't even know her name--it was natural; you understand? But it is me now? my turn wholly. He loves me well. Oh, I know I shall make him happy, and that's all I want.' There was no combating this mood. Mrs. Hennifer had not forces to control the enemy, she could only determine to throw up earthworks to fortify her position.