"Nobody except yourself--who else should?" she asked in surprise. "After all I've seen of you, I ought to know that you have your moods--I suppose clever men have--and that I don't suit all the moods equally well." She squeezed his hand for a second. "But I'm going to be very wise--Isobel's taught me to be wise, among other things, you know--I'm going to be very wise, and not mind that!" The true affection rose in him. "Poor little sweetheart!" he murmured. "I'm afraid you haven't taken on an easy job." "No, I don't think I have," she laughed. "All the more credit if I bring it off! There'd be nothing to be proud of in making--oh, well, Andy Hayes, for instance--happy. He just is happy as long as he can be working at something or walking somewhere--it doesn't matter where--at five miles an hour--in the dust by preference. A girl would have nothing to do but just smile at him and send him for a walk. But you're different, aren't you, Harry?" "By Jove, I am! Andy's one of the best fellows in the world." "Yes, but I think--oh, it's only my view--that you're more interesting, Harry. Only, when you are bored, I want you--" "Now don't say you want me to tell you so! Do let us be decently polite, even if I am your husband." She laughed. "I won't strain your manners so far as that; I'm proud of their being so good myself. No, I want you just to go away and amuse yourself somewhere else till the fit's over. You may even flirt just a little, if you feel it really necessary, Harry! You needn't be quite so religiously strict all your life as you've been lately." "Religiously strict? How do you mean?" "Well, all this time I don't believe you've allowed yourself one good look at Isobel, though she's very good-looking; and I know you haven't called at the Lion yet, though Miss Flower has been there two days, and she such an old friend of yours in London." "Have you called there?" "Yes, I went yesterday. I like her so much, and I like that odd friend of hers too." "Oh, Sally Dutton! I suppose she got her knife into me, didn't she?" "She got her knife, as you call it, into everybody who was mentioned. Oh yes, including you!" Vivien laughed merrily. "It's rather a bore--those girls coming down here. I hope we shan't see too much of them." He rose. "I'm afraid I must go, Vivien. We're due at Medfold Crossways to-night, and it's a good long drive, even with the motor. I've got to have some abominable hybrid of a meal at five." She too rose and came to him, putting her hands in his. Her laughing face grew grave and tender. "Dear, you really are happy?" she asked softly, yet rather insistently. He looked into her eyes; they were not veiled or remote for him. "Honestly I believe you're the only chance of happiness I've got in the world, Vivien. Is that enough?" "I think it's really more than being happy, or than being sure you will be happy." She smiled. "It gives me more to do, at all events." "And if I made you unhappy?"