“I am quite aware that it is not a bit of use asking you to join our little party.” “Not the slightest use, Louisa. As you are aware, I never go anywhere.” “I can’t help saying, Gilbert, that it would be better for you in many ways if you did go somewhere. A man in your position, and with your duties, has no business to make a recluse of himself.” “I don’t dispute your dictum, only, as it happens, we are not all made after the same pattern. Several years ago the world had become such a tiresome place to me that henceforward I determined to see as little of it as possible. It may have been a weak resolve to come to, but, such as it was, I have kept it, and I am afraid that now I am far too old to change.” Everard Lisle could almost have gone down on his knees to Lady Pell when told of the good fortune in store for him. He had already been to Dunarvon and knew of the lovely woodland walks by which the ruins were surrounded, and that he and Ethel should be able to spend a whole autumn afternoon among them seemed almost too much happiness to be possible. That Lady Pell would afford them ample opportunities for wandering away by their two selves he did not doubt. What if he were to seize the occasion to break the rule of silence he had hitherto imposed on himself, and try for the second time to win where he had failed once already? Well, he would be guided by circumstances. Should a propitious moment offer itself, he would not let it slip, but if not, then would he wait a little longer. Sir Gilbert in person saw them off. This morning, or so it seemed to her ladyship, he looked more cheerful and in better spirits than she had seen him in since the affair of the strong-room, now a week ago. “He will get over the worst of it in time, as we do with all our troubles,” she told herself: “only, he will carry the scar of it to his dying day.” A drive of a dozen miles brought our little party to their destination, whereupon Lady Pell issued her instructions. The first thing to do was to explore the ruins under the conduct of the authorised guide. After that would come luncheon in a room in the custodian’s cottage, which was frequently utilised for that purpose. They had brought their own hamper of good things with them, and their own man to wait upon them. After which it would be time enough to decide how the rest of the day should be spent. At the end of an hour, having seen all there was to be seen, Lady Pell paid and dismissed the guide; then, in an aside to Mrs. Tew, she said: “I want you to engage Miss Thursby for a few minutes while I have a little private talk with Mr. Lisle.” The canon’s widow nodded, and presently the young people found themselves drawn apart, to all appearance in a quite fortuitous way.