"No. But she appeals to me--I don't know why--but I feel that I could love her," says Margaret, in short sentences as if thinking, and as if a little surprised at herself. Suddenly she breaks into a more immediate feeling. "Oh, Maurice, love her too! Try, _try_ to love her; she is so young. Her very _soul_ is in your keeping. Be good to her; she is a mere baby. If you neglect her, forget her----" Maurice casts a queer look at her. "'Is thy servant a dog?'" quotes he. * * * * * Margaret moves slowly away. She had, when Maurice met her, been bent on going upstairs to her books and her thoughts; but now she turns backward. She feels as if she wants something. Perhaps she finds it--unconsciously, however--when she stops before a tall, soldierly-looking man, who, seeing her, comes to meet her with evident pleasure. "You look disturbed!" says Colonel Neilson. He is, as I have said, a tall man, with a kindly face, and deep eyes of a dark colour. There is nothing very special about him; he is not, strictly speaking, handsome, yet he was, last season, one of the most popular men in town. "Yes, and no," says Margaret. "My cousin has confided a sort of secret to me." "A secret! I may not hear it, then?" "Well, I don't know. It is, as I have hinted, a _sort_ of secret, not very much to be kept." "I may hear it, then?" "I suppose so. At all events," with a laugh, soft and silk, "I should like you to hear it, because I want your opinion. You will give it?" "You know I will give you everything I have," says he. "Oh no! you must not talk like that," says she. "Put all that on one side, and let me have you for my friend. I want one now--not for myself, but for another; for two others, in fact. You know how fond I am of Maurice, and lately I have contracted quite a romantic, for _me"_--she pauses and laughs--"well, quite a romantic affection, for a little girl staying here with my aunt. You know who I mean--Tita Bolton." "A charming child?" "I am so glad you like her! But, as you say, she is a mere child; and Maurice has proposed to her, and she has accepted him, and I am curious about her future." "Hers only?" "Oh no! His, too!" "It will be a risk, certainly," says Colonel Neilson. "I thought--I imagined--I had heard that Rylton was engaged to his cousin, Mrs. Bethune--a very beautiful woman." "How can you think so!" says Margaret. "Well, yes, no doubt she _is_ beautiful, but I should not like Maurice to marry her." "You would prefer his marrying the 'charming child'?" "I don't know what I prefer," says Miss Knollys. She casts a reproachful glance at him that certainly is not deserved. Has he not served her late and early for the past six years? "I thought you would help me!" "You know I shall do that, however things may turn." "Well, help me here. What _ought_ Maurice to do? I am so dreadfully unhappy about this projected marriage of his."