“There are few things I cannot conceive, Mr. Clavering,” the girl answered, with that helpless droop of her little head that had so winning a pathos. “We people who live such secluded lives are not as ignorant of the great storms as you may imagine.” Clavering’s voice shook as he responded to this. “I wish I could talk quite freely to you. This convention that forbids friends such as we are from being frank with one another, seems to me sometimes an invention of the devil.” The girl lifted her head. He could not see in the darkness that had now fallen upon them, how her mouth quivered and her cheeks grew scarlet. “I think I can guess at what is worrying you, my friend,” she murmured gently. He trembled from head to foot with a curious shame. “You think it is about Gladys Romer,” he burst out. “Well it is! I find her one of the greatest difficulties I have ever had in my life.” “I am afraid,” said Vennie timidly, “she intends to be a difficulty to you. It is wrong to say so, but I have always been suspicious of her motives in this desire to enter our church.” “God knows what her motives are!” sighed the priest, “I only know she makes it as hard for me as she can.” As soon as he had uttered these words a queer observing sense of having been treacherous to Gladys rose in his heart. Once more he had to suppress an emotion of hatred for the little saint by his side. “I know,” murmured Vennie, “I know. She tries to play upon your good-nature. She tries to make you over-fond of her. I suppose”--she paused for a moment--“I suppose she is like that. It is not her fault. It is her--her character. She has a mad craving for admiration and is ready to play it off on anybody.” “It makes it very difficult to help her,” said the priest evasively. Vennie peered anxiously at his face. “It is not as though she really was fond of _you_,” she boldly added. “I doubt whether she is fond of anyone. She loves troubling people’s minds and making them unhappy.” “Don’t mistake me, Miss Seldom,” cried Clavering. “I am not in the least sentimental about her--it is only--only”--Vennie smoothed his path for him. “It is only that she makes it impossible for you to teach her,” she hazarded, following his lead. “I know something of that difficulty myself. These wayward pleasure-loving people make it very hard for us all sometimes.”