"Gavine says she has just heard from her mother, and she wants her down here at once. Isn't it exciting? I shall love to have her. I want her to see you, and you are sure to like her—everyone does—but keep a little bit of your heart for me." Sidney laughed at her. "You won't want me when your friend comes." "I've just met Mr. Austin," Jockie continued; "so I told him the news. He didn't look best pleased. I think this frost is making him very cross. When I told him that Gavine ought to live with her mother always, he said curtly: "'I don't see why she should.' "So then I said an awful thing! I can't help my tongue, Miss Urquhart. I wish I could. It is past my control entirely. I said: 'I suppose you wouldn't care to have so old a stepdaughter?' "He looked as if he could bite my head off, and turned bang round and walked off without saying good-bye, or even raising his cap. He can be very rude when he likes. So then my temper was up, and I called after him: 'You had much better let the Major have his innings. His age is much more suitable.' And, of course, you'll say I was rude and vulgar. I thought I was myself when he had gone." "I don't see why you should try to quarrel with Austin," said Sidney very quietly. "He annoys me. He is so idiotically infatuated with Mrs. Norman. And she is Gavine's mother, I never can forget that." Gavine Norman soon arrived, and Sidney went down to Lovelace's Cottage with some curiosity, to see Jockie's bosom friend. The frost still held. Sidney herself was grateful to it. Austin was much more at home, and his mother rejoiced accordingly. Mrs. Norman took long walks; she did not hide her disappointment at the hunting ending so soon. Major Urquhart wandered down to her cottage about every other day. Sidney wondered as she walked if her uncle were down there now. But she was overtaken by Austin, whose steps were bound the same way. They were both shown into the tiny drawing-room, where mother and daughter were sitting. Mrs. Norman was writing at her davenport; Gavine was sitting by the fire reading. She looked up as they entered, and Sidney was struck at once by her face. She was dressed in a dark red gown. The colour suited her. She had a very white skin; her soft, dusky black hair was parted in the middle, it fell away in ripples over her ears, and a thick plait encircled her head. Her eyes were dark blue, and a steady, rather sombre light seemed to glow in their depths, whilst thick eyebrows and very long curved lashes lent a touch of heaviness to her otherwise fragile and delicate oval face. Her nose was straight and sensitive, her lips had a wistful droop at the corners, but her square, determined chin, and broad intellectual brow showed that she had mental force and ability. Mrs. Norman was her usual gay charming self. She greeted Sidney warmly, her eyes welcomed Austin.