‘What did Etta tell you?’ she asked quickly.  But before he could answer a dark figure seemed to emerge rather suddenly from the roadside.  Miss Hamilton dropped my arm at once.  ’Is that you, Leah?  Have my brother and Miss Darrell returned from Maplehurst?’ And I detected an anxious note in her voice.

‘Yes, ma’am,’ returned Leah civilly; ’and Miss Darrell seemed anxious at your being out so late, because you would take cold, and master begged you would wrap up and walk very fast.’

‘Oh, I shall take no harm,’ returned Miss Hamilton impatiently.  ’Good-night, Miss Garston, and thank you for a very happy evening.  Good-night, Mr. Cunliffe, and thank you, too.  There is no need to come any farther:  Leah will take care of me.’  And she waved her hand and moved away in the darkness.

‘What a bugbear that woman is!’ I observed, rather irritably, as we retraced our steps in the direction of the Man and Plough, the little inn that stood at the junction of the four roads.  Everything looked dark and eerie in the faint starlight.  Our footsteps seemed to strike sharply against the hard, white road; there was a suspicion of frost in the air.  When Max spoke, which was not for some minutes, he merely remarked that we should have a cold Christmas, and then he asked me if I would dine with him at the vicarage on Christmas Day.  He and Mr. Tudor would be alone.

‘Christmas will be here in less than a fortnight, Ursula,’ he went on, rather absently, but I knew he was not thinking of what he was saying.  And when we reached the White Cottage he followed me into the parlour, sat down before the fire, and stretched out his hands to the blaze, as though he were very cold.

I stood and watched him for a moment, and then I could bear it no longer.

‘Oh, Max!’ I exclaimed, ’I wish you would tell me what makes you look so wretchedly ill to-night.  Even Miss Hamilton noticed it.  I am sure there is something the matter.’

‘Nonsense, child!  What should be the matter?’ But Max turned his face away as he spoke.  ’I told you that I had a headache; but that is nothing to make a fuss about.  Mrs. Drabble shall make me a good strong cup of tea when I get home.’

Max’s manner was just a trifle testy, but I was not going to be repelled after this fashion.  On the contrary, I put my hand on his shoulder and obliged him to look at me.

’It is not only a headache.  You are unhappy about something; as though I do not see that.  Max, you know we have always been like brother and sister, and I want you to tell me what has grieved you.’

That touched him, as I knew it would, for he had dearly loved his sister.

‘I wish your mother were here now,’ he returned, in a moved voice.  ’I wish poor Emmie were here:  there were not many women like her.  One could have trusted her with anything.’

‘I think I am to be trusted too, Max.’

’Yes, yes, you are like her, Ursula.  You have got just the same quiet way.  Your voice always reminds me of hers.  She was a dear, good sister to me, more like a mother than a sister.  I think if she had lived she would have been a great comfort to me now, Ursula.’