“It was only a priest. I had to make my confession.” “A priest? I thought your people belonged to the Church of England.” “That doesn’t prevent me from being a Catholic. It’s much better for professional girls to be Catholics. They look after you when you’re on the road.” He could not say any more about it. It seemed to him that her eyes were anxious as though she were not quite sure how much he had heard. “You believe me, don’t you?” She spoke in a frightened whisper. “Of course I do. We’ve just time for our train. You are coming, aren’t you?” She said: “Of course I am,” and ran upstairs singing to put her hat on. The roses lay neglected on the sideboard where she had placed them. In five minutes she returned, thoroughly dressed for her new role of country girl with brogued shoes and a short skirt of Harris tweed. “I’m ready,” she said gaily. It was a wonderful day. They walked together under dull skies that made the berries in the hedgerows and the waning fires of autumn glow more brightly, and even ministered to the girl’s own beauty. The cool air and the walking made her cheeks glow with a colour that was natural and therefore unusual. Edwin was so entranced with her companionship that he forgot his anxiousness of the morning; so lost in the amazing beauty of her hazel eyes and her cheek’s soft contour that he did not notice that she was limping. Halfway to the summit of the hills she stopped, gave a little sigh, and sat down on the bank of a hedge. “I’m awfully sorry, Eddie. My foot hurts. I think this shoe’s too tight.” “They look simply splendid.” “I know. I only bought them yesterday—just specially for to-day.” “But it’s ridiculous to go for a long walk in new shoes!” “Do you mind if I take them off for a minute?” “Of course not. Let me undo the laces.” He knelt at her feet. It was a wonderful and thrilling experience to loosen the laces, to feel her small feet in their smooth silk stockings. His hands trembled. “I wish you wouldn’t touch my feet. I’m awfully sorry: it’s one of the things I can’t bear. You don’t mind, do you?” “You mustn’t blame me. They’re so beautiful.” She smiled. Her modesty delighted him. Sitting there together, so miraculously alone, he began to talk about his future. “I shan’t see you for a whole week. It will be unbearable. But when the exam. is over and I’m qualified it will be such a relief. I shall feel able to say the things that I want to say to you.” For a long time she was silent. Then she said: “What are you expecting to do?” “I think I shall go in for one of the services. What do you think of the Indian Medical? It would be wonderful to see India. I’ve always thought that I should like to know something of the world. I think it’s a good life. Women generally love it. What do you think about it?”