Lewis was not very clever nor very amusing, nor did he possess any of Maud’s favourite qualities or characteristics; but then he was very good-natured, and never disagreeable or jealous, like his sisters. Then he always did as she told him, and was always ready to be her escort, to change her books at the library, turn over her music when she played, water the plants in her garden-border, and, in fact, make himself useful to her in any capacity she wished. Maud had, therefore, a strong cousinly affection for Lewis, not unmixed with a little feminine contempt for one so entirely and unquestionably obedient. Latterly she had been annoyed from time to time by comments made upon her treatment of Lewis. He had always been something of a butt for playful raillery, with no spice of malice, and he always took her jokes in good part; but Mrs. Belassis had of late chosen to make mysterious and cutting remarks, which her daughters had echoed; and Maud had wondered why it should be so, and had resented the implied rebukes without understanding them. This morning, however, she was in no mood to resent anything, and talked gaily for a long while, until at last she paused, more for lack of breath than of ideas. ‘Well, Lewis, you look as solemn as an owl, and almost as stupid. Can’t you say how glad you are at my good fortune?’ ‘I can say it, of course; but I shouldn’t mean it.’ ‘Not mean it, you disagreeable boy! What do you mean by that?’ ‘Do you suppose I shall be glad when you leave Thornton House? Is it likely?’ ‘Oh, you can come and see me at Ladywell whenever you like,’ explained Maud graciously. ‘I shall always be so pleased to see you.’ Lewis grunted, not seeming as grateful as he ought for this general invitation. ‘Don’t be cross, Lewis,’ said Maud, coming down from her high horse and speaking naturally. ‘You ought to be glad at anything so nice coming to me.’ ‘Well,’ said Lewis slowly, ‘I did hope something nice would come to you, some change which would make your life more pleasant; but not in this way—this makes it more difficult.’ ‘What _do_ you mean, Lewis?’ ‘Can’t you guess, Maud? _I_ wanted to be the one to make a new home for you. I believe you’d have come gladly to it from my father’s house; whether you will from Ladywell, is another matter.’ Maud lifted her great eyes to his, full of surprise and vexation. ‘Don’t be silly, Lewis. Don’t spoil everything. We have always been such friends. If you are stupid, we cannot be friends any more, and it will be your fault.’ ‘Is it stupid to love you, Maud?’ ‘It is stupid to tell me so, when I don’t want to think about such things.’ ‘But, Maud, you will soon have to think about them, whether you like or not.’ ‘What do you mean, Lewis?’ ‘I mean that when you are twenty-four you will be of age, and you will then——’ ‘I shall then be rich,’ laughed Maud, interrupting him gaily. ‘Is that why you want to marry me?’