“Well, we won’t talk any more about him,” said he hastily, distressed and irritated that she should cry over what he considered an unworthy object. “Yes, we will,” cried Deborah, turning suddenly and almost fiercely. “I can’t bear it all by myself any longer; and you, Godwin, who understand things, you can perhaps tell me what is the matter.” “With Rees?” “Yes. He’s changed lately, changed altogether; it’s been coming on gradually, but it’s been most plain the last month or six weeks. Haven’t you noticed it?” “I’ve noticed that he’s become ill-tempered and discontented, and doesn’t seem to think any of us good enough for him.” “Well, he used not to be like that, you know, he used not. He was always bright and cheerful and happy. But ever since he’s taken this studious fit, which we thought at first was such a good thing, he’s quite changed. He seems to avoid me, and everybody; and I’ve heard him say such ungrateful things of Lord St. Austell, who’s been so good to him. And yet now, when he isn’t shut up reading in his own room or up at the library in the town, he’s always up at Llancader.” “Don’t you know why?” asked Godwin, drily. The girl grew a little paler and her breath came faster, as if she had an idea that she was to hear something unpleasant. But she did not answer. “Of course you’ll hate me for telling you,” said Godwin rather bitterly. “And it’s no use to tell you it’s for your own good. Anyhow, it’s this: Rees is making up to Lady Marion. I’ve told him he’s only making a fool of himself, and I’ve got snubbed for my pains. There.” But Deborah had drawn herself up with haughty astonishment. “And why shouldn’t he ‘make up’ to Lady Marion? He’s a great deal too good for any of those silly, conceited girls.” Godwin looked at her attentively. “Girls _are_ ridiculous creatures,” he said at last, contemptuously. “They’ll like a man without reason, and they’ll go on liking him against reason. However, we won’t talk about Rees any more, except that I’ll just say this: ‘Use all your influence with him to try to get him to turn his hand to something; for I’m inclined to think this illness of my poor father’s is more serious than we like to believe, and if anything happens to him Rees and Hervey will have to put their shoulders to the wheel, for father’s pension ends with his life, and his affairs are in a hopeless state of muddle. Now, don’t cry; it had to be said, and if I haven’t said it in the best way you must forgive me.” But Deborah’s tears were flowing fast. There was only one person in the world whom she loved as well as Rees, and that was Captain Pennant. The idea of his death, which had forced itself upon her again and again lately, she could never bear calmly. “Now, I thought you had more sense than to give way like that,” said Godwin, trying to be very stern. “I look to you to help me to comfort my mother, who hasn’t the least notion of what you and I--know.” Deborah shook her head.