“And I am so fond of them,” said Ronald pathetically. “Don’t you think you might be nice and kind, and say how much you have missed me since we parted?” “Oof!” cried Sheila, “what next am I to say?” “Well, if you won’t say the pretty thing, I must. Do you know, Miss Cholmondeley, that after the sudden departure of a certain nameless person from Madeira, everything got so stale and unprofitable to me that I seriously threatened to come home alone; and I should have done so if they hadn’t moved on elsewhere.” Sheila’s face was glowing, but she answered by a gay laugh; and the laugh was not forced, for was she not very, very happy? “You may laugh, but I assure you it was no laughing matter to me. Sheila, did you want to go off in that sudden fashion? Did you go of your own accord?” He stopped suddenly and took her hand; she gave one swift upward glance, and then dropped her eyes. “It was arranged for me,” she said. “You did not want to go yourself?” “No, not then. I was very angry about it. I had a great many wicked thoughts, which I was very much ashamed of afterwards, because it was such a good thing that I did go exactly at that time. It might just have been settled for me in the very best way possible.” “What do you mean?” asked Ronald quickly. “You know Oscar, my brother, fell ill of typhoid fever just as I got back. If it had not been for—for—that, I might not have been with him, and I don’t know what I should have done then.” Ronald’s face cleared; for a moment he had looked anxious. “I saw Oscar just now at the works,” he said. “I liked him very much indeed. You are not much alike, but there was something in his voice and expression which reminded me of you.” “I wish I were more like Oscar,” said Sheila humbly. “He is much better than I shall ever be.” “Don’t wish to be anything but yourself, Sheila,” said Ronald with sudden impetuosity, “for I want you just as you are.” The blood surged up into Sheila’s face; this was taking the bull by the horns with a vengeance. Ronald seemed to know he had committed himself, and stood his ground, holding her hands fast in his, and again letting the poor forget-me-nots drop to the ground. “Sheila, I did not mean to be so sudden, I promised not to be in such haste; they all tell me I must not expect to carry everything before me. But when I see you, I forget everything except that I love you. Oh, Sheila, won’t you try and love me too? I am so sure I could make you happy, if you would only give yourself into my keeping.” Her eyes were on the ground, but there was that in her down-bent quivering face that gave Ronald hope and courage. He bent over her and touched her cheek with his lips. “Sheila, won’t you say you will try to care for me a little?”