"Oh, _quite_ sure," said Celia, with the slightest possible inflection of annoyance. "Winifred is not at all the sort of girl to flirt, or anything like that. And I think it is only natural that he should be devoted to her. She is so clever, and so--unlike the common run, and Lennox has looked up to her all his life. We should all have been so glad, for then she could have settled down at home, or close to home, for good. Len's little place is only two miles away. And it would have kept White Turrets in the family. He is our second-cousin, you know." "These arrangements seldom come to pass, however," said Miss Norreys, philosophically. "Had that anything to do with Winifred's dislike to staying at home, do you think?" "Oh dear, no," said Celia. "She did not think it a matter of much importance. She has always wanted to take a line of her own; she has always felt herself cramped by ordinary life. And she wants so to be of real use." The two were walking up and down the terrace. For a moment or two Hertha did not speak. Then she said quietly: "Perhaps I should not discuss the matter with you, dear Celia. You are so much younger than I. But, before I go, I want to have a long talk with your mother. I must tell you that I was completely mistaken about you all. I had no idea whatever that Winifred had such a home, such plain home duties and responsibilities, as I strongly suspect she has. I--I thought you were very poor, and that she had to earn money to help you all." Celia grew crimson, and almost gasped for breath. "Miss Norreys!" she exclaimed. Then she added eagerly, "Winifred did not mean to mislead you--she is not like that." "N-no," said Hertha. "I was very indignant at first, but now I don't think she meant anything, except at all costs to get her own way. Of course there was no calculated deceit about it, otherwise she would have found some means of preventing my coming here. But she has placed me myself in a very disagreeable position, as I must make her see. And she must face the consequences. But I should like to know--you have plenty of sense--do _you_ think she is doing right?" Celia was sorely pressed. Her loyalty to Winifred rose up in arms. But she was taken at a disadvantage: she had always believed that Miss Norreys had warmly aided and abetted Winifred in her search for a career. "I--I am so surprised," she said at last. "I suppose it is best for me to tell you the truth. Yes, at the bottom of my heart I now think--I did not always, but I do now--that she could find plenty to do, and plenty opportunities of being useful to others, here at home. Especially as--you know all that, I suppose? You know that all the property, and it is large, will be _hers_. She is in the position of an eldest son." More and more astonished, Miss Norreys felt at a loss for words.