'I thought of it all--of Hughie and the others. I didn't know how I should ever face you.' ''Twas a shameless thing. And yet I can find it in my heart to forgive you. You are so ingenuous about it.' Mary looked up again. 'What shall you do--about Hughie?' 'Oh, there's a great scheme on foot. Alma suggests that we shall go and live at Greystone. It tempts me.' 'That it must, indeed! I know how you would like it.' 'We shouldn't be so very far apart then--an hour's journey or so. You would come to us, and we to you.' 'Delightful!' They had not much more to say, but each was conscious of thought in the other's mind that supplemented their insufficient phrases. As they shook hands, Mary seemed trying to speak. The lamplight made a glimmer in her eyes, and their lids drooped as she said at length---- 'I am so glad that you like each other.' 'He's a splendid fellow,' replied Rolfe joyously. 'I think no end of him.' 'And he of you--for I have told him everything.' Then Harvey quitted the house, and walked about under the starry sky until it was time to call for Alma. CHAPTER 10 Yet once again did Alma hypnotise her imagination with a new ideal of life. Her talk was constantly of Greystone. She began a correspondence with Mrs. Morton, who did her best to encourage all pleasant anticipations--careful the while, at her husband's bidding and Harvey's too, not to exaggerate the resources of Greystone for a mind and temper such as Alma's. Of course the little town had its musical circle, in which Mrs. Rolfe's talent would find an appreciative reception. Touching on this point to her correspondent, Alma remarked, with emphasised modesty, that she must _not_ be regarded as a professional violinist; it would be better, perhaps, if nothing were said about her 'rather audacious experiment' in London. Meanwhile, a suitable house was being looked for. There need be no hurry; Midsummer was the earliest possible date for removal, and a few months later might prove more convenient.