'Edith, do you think if Bruce knew--how much you liked Aylmer--he would have written that letter?' 'No. And I don't believe he would ever have gone away.' 'Still, I think you ought to send Aylmer away now.' 'Why?' she repeated. 'Nothing could be more intensely correct. Mrs Ottley's staying with me--why shouldn't I have the pleasure of seeing Aylmer because Bruce is having a heavenly time on board ship?' 'I suppose there's that point of view,' said Vincy, rather bewildered. 'I say, Edith!' 'About Bruce having a heavenly time on board ship--a--she always grumbles; she's always complaining. She's never, never satisfied... She keeps on making scenes.' 'So does Bruce.' 'Yes. But I suppose if there's a certain predicament--then--Oh, Edith--are you unhappy?' 'No, not a bit now. I think I'm only really unhappy when I'm undecided. Once I've taken a line--no matter what it is--I can be happy again. I can adjust myself to my good fortune.' Curiously, when Edith had once got over the pain and shock that the letter first gave her, she was positively happier now than she ever had been before. Bruce really must have been a more formidable bore than she had known, since his absence left such a delicious freedom. The certainty of having done the right, the wisest thing, was a support, a proud satisfaction. During these summer days Aylmer was not so peacefully happy. His devotion was assiduous, silent, discreet, and sometimes his feelings were almost uncontrollable, but he hoped; and he consoled himself by the thought that some day he would really have his wish--anything might happen; the chances were all in his favour. What an extraordinary woman she was--and how pretty--how subtle; how perfect their life might be together.... He implored Vincy to use his influence. 'I can't see Edith in anything so crude as the--as--that court,' Vincy said. 'But Bruce begs her to do it. What could their life be together afterwards? It's simply a deliberate sacrifice.' 'There's every hope that Miss Argles will never let him go,' said Vincy. 'One has to be very firm to get away from her. Oh, ever so firm, and _obstinate_, you can't think! How many times a day she must be reproaching Bruce--that will be rather a change for him. However, anything may happen,' said Vincy soothingly. He still maintained, for he had a very strong sense of propriety in matters of form, that Aylmer ought to go away. But Edith would not agree. * * * * * So the children played and enjoyed themselves, and sometimes asked after their father, and Mrs Ottley, though a little anxious, enjoyed herself too, and Edith had never been so happy. She was having a holiday. She dismissed all trouble and lived in a sort of dream. * * * * *