"Oh, plenty of room," he said, and walked on again as abruptly as he had paused. The path became wider and more level, and he relinquished her hand. "You won't stay," he said with conviction. "I wonder," said Juliet. "Of course you won't!" A hint of vehemence crept into his speech. "When the nightingales have left off singing, and the wild roses are over, you'll go." "You seem very sure of that," said Juliet. "Yes, I am sure." He spoke uncompromisingly, almost contemptuously, she thought. "You evidently don't stay here because you like it," she said. "My work is here," he returned noncommittally. She wondered a little, but something held her back from pursuing the matter. She walked several paces in silence. Then, "I wish I could find work here," she said, in her slow deep voice. "It would do me a lot of good." "Would it?" He turned towards her. "But that isn't what you came for--not to find work, I mean?" "Well, no--not primarily." She made the admission almost guiltily. "But I think everyone ought to be able to earn a livelihood, don't you?" "It's safer certainly," he said. "But it isn't everyone that is qualified for it." "No?" Her voice was whimsical. "And you think I shall seek in vain for any suitable niche here?" "It depends upon what your capabilities are," he said. "My capabilities!" She laughed, a soft, low laugh. "Columbus! What are my capabilities!" They had reached a railing and a gate across the path leading down to the village. Columbus, waiting to go through, wriggled in a manner that expressed his entire ignorance on the subject. Juliet leaned against the gate with her face to the western sky. "My capabilities!" she mused. "Let me see! What can I do?" She looked at her companion with a smile. "I am afraid I shall have to refer you to Lady Joanna Farringmore. She can tell you--exactly." He made a slight movement of surprise. "You know the Farringmore family?" She raised her brows a little. "Yes. Do you?" "By hearsay only. Lord Wilchester owns the High Shale Mines. I have never met any of them." He spoke without enthusiasm. "And never want to?" she suggested. "I quite understand. I am very tired of them myself just now--most especially of Lady Joanna. But perhaps it is rather bad taste to say so, as I have been brought up as her companion from childhood." "And now you have left her?" he said. "Yes I have left her. I have disapproved of her for some time," Juliet spoke thoughtfully. "She is very unconventional, you know. And I--well, at heart I fancy I must be rather a prude. Anyhow, I disapproved, more and more strongly, and at last I came away." "That was rather brave of you," he commented.