Vane stood silent a minute or two, for the last appeal had stirred him to chivalrous pity. He was shrewd enough to realise that if he persisted he could force her to come to him. Her father and mother were with him; she had nothing--no common-place usefulness or trained abilities--to fall back upon if she defied them. But it was unthinkable that he should brutally compel her. "Well," he said at length, "I must try to face the situation; I want to assure you that it is not a pleasant one to me. But there's another point. I'm afraid I've made things worse for you. Your people will probably blame you for sending me away." Evelyn did not answer this, and he broke into a little grim smile. "Now," he added, "I think I can save you any trouble on that score--though the course I'm going to take isn't flattering, if you look at it in one way. I want you to leave me to deal with your father." He took her consent for granted, and leaning down laid a hand lightly on her shoulder. "You will try to forgive me for the anxiety I have caused you. The time I've spent here has been very pleasant, but I'm going back to Canada in a few days. Perhaps you'll think of me without bitterness now and then." He turned away, and Evelyn sat still, glad that the strain was over, and thinking earnestly. The man was gentle and considerate as well as forceful, and she liked him. Indeed, she admitted that she had not met any man she liked as much, but that was not going very far. Then she began to wonder at her candour, and to consider if it had been necessary. It was curious that this was the only man she had ever taken into her confidence; and her next suitor would probably be a much less promising specimen. On the other hand, it was consoling to remember that eligible suitors for the daughter of an impoverished gentleman were likely to be scarce. It had grown dark when she rose and, entering the house, went up to Mabel's room. The girl looked at her sharply as she came in. "So you have got rid of him," she said. "I think you're very silly." "How did you know?" Evelyn asked with a start. "I heard him walking up and down the terrace, and I heard you go out. You can't walk over raked gravel without making a noise. He went along to join you, and it was a good while before you came back at different times. I've been waiting for this the last day or two." Evelyn sat down with a strained smile. "Well," she said, "I have sent him away." Mabel regarded her indignantly. "Then you'll never get another chance like this one. If you had only taken him I could have worn decent frocks. Nobody could call the last one that." This was a favourite grievance and Evelyn ignored it; but Mabel had more to say. "I suppose," she went on, "you don't know that Wallace has been getting Gerald out of trouble?" "Are you sure of that?" Evelyn asked sharply.