"I met Jane Thrush as I came past the monastery," he said. "Pretty girl, is she not? She seems to like her lonely life at the cottage, at least she says so." "A very pretty girl, and a good girl," was her reply. "Do you see her sometimes?" he asked. "Yes, very often; she comes here when she likes, Hannah is fond of her." "You're lucky to have Hannah Moss." "I am; she's a treasure." "Been at The Forest for years, hasn't she?" "She nursed me, that's a long time ago." He laughed as he said: "Not so very long ago, Eve; we were playmates, I am not very ancient." "Well, it seems a long time since I was a girl and you a boy." "We were good pals." "Always." "And we are now?" he questioned. "Pals? Does that fit the case?" she asked. "I hope so; I trust it always will." She hoped not, she wanted a deeper feeling to develop. Alan looked well, such a fine healthy man, strong, athletic, and she loved him; he little knew the strength of her feelings for him, how she longed to be his, to be conquered by him, to feel his strength pitted against her woman weakness. She kept herself in check, there was very little outward show of her love for him, although sometimes it would not be banished from her eyes, and they were beautiful eyes, eloquent, expressive, and this morning as she looked at him the love-light shone there, and he felt its power. She was a beautiful woman, he would not have been the man he was had he not felt her charm. She was a woman well developed in mind and body, her taste in dress was exquisite, she knew what suited her and declined to be fashioned by her dressmaker. She stood facing him, close to him, and his senses were intoxicated by her fragrance. The scent she used was delicate, the perfume exquisite, it was peculiar to her; a very dangerous woman when she cared to exercise her powers. "By Jove, Eve, you do look splendid!" he exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. She flushed slightly. It was a tribute to her charm and she accepted it; there could be no doubt about his sincerity. "Do I look better than usual?" she asked. "You always look well, but this morning you excel yourself, you are grand! I mean it. What a prize for some lucky man to win!" She laughed. "The lucky man has not come along yet apparently; I am near thirty," she said. "At the height of your charms; you'll meet the right man one day and he'll be carried off his feet and surrender at once, he'll have no option." "Can't he see, oh, can't he see he is the right man! I'd fling myself into his arms if he asked me," she thought with longing. "He will have to hurry up," she answered smiling. He remained an hour or so and then left. "Be sure and come to my house in town in Derby week," she said. "I'll be there. You asked me to stay." "Will you?"