He had no thought, however, of showing in haste what he felt. His attentions were simple and cousin-like in kind; and no one guessed the truth. He knew that he had to win Phyllys, and that the winning might not prove easy. She was friendly, even affectionate, and delighted with his companionship. He could see that she never forgot what she owed to him; but he had no wish that she should marry out of gratitude; and he would not take her at a disadvantage. With all her frankness, Phyllys was not easy to read. The very readiness with which she had taken to him, and the easy gladness with which day after day she met him, were, he knew, not hopeful symptoms. Had she been more shy, less responsive, he might have felt more sanguine. Hopeful he did feel, but hardly of immediate results; and his chief fear was lest he should be drawn into a too hasty betrayal of his love. That she liked him as a cousin he saw. Whether she would like him equally as a lover was another question. He had to proceed cautiously. CHAPTER XI CASTLE HILL PERPLEXITIES AT the appointed hour for Phyllys' arrival, Mrs. Keith went to the station. And together they drove through the town, the elder lady exchanging bows with acquaintances by the way. Phyllys took everything in with interested eyes. Leaving Market Oakley behind, they bowled swiftly along the smooth high-road till Castlemere was reached; then by a lodge-gate they entered the private grounds leading to Castle Hill. Once indoors Mrs. Keith unbent. Thus far she had merely made herself agreeable. Now her gloved hands held those of Phyllys, and she looked tenderly in the girl's face. After a momentary hesitation, real or assumed, she bent for a kiss. Phyllys was touched, and a wonder stirred within her. Why should Mrs. Keith be so affectionate? That Giles should have liked to know her had seemed natural, since he was near of kin; but that Mrs. Keith should care was puzzling. Then she recalled her late peril, and the fact that Giles had rescued her. This might give Mrs. Keith a peculiar feeling. Or perhaps Mrs. Keith was so fond of Giles as to be gladdened by anything that gave him pleasure. Phyllys smiled over the latter solution, and Mrs. Keith kissed her again. "My dear, I am delighted to get you here. We have wanted it for years. Giles particularly." "It is delightful to come." This little scene took place in the ante-room, between hall and drawing-room; and as they entered the latter a slight gasp broke from Phyllys. It was large and many-windowed, with nooks and retreats, a ceiling artistically designed and coloured, fine paintings on the walls, a broad general harmony of outline and tinting, and a delicate beauty of contrast in details, which at once appealed to Phyllys. She thought of the prim little sitting-room at home, its stiff squareness, its ponderous furniture, its framed texts. "Ah!" murmured Mrs. Keith. "I never saw anything like it!"