’Oh, my dear, you must not say such things.  Mr. Hamilton has told me over and over again that he does not know how he would have got through that miserable time but for his cousin Etta’s kindness.  She did everything for him, and nursed Gladys in her illness.  I am sure she would have died but for Etta.  Dear me!  Flossie looks restless.  I do believe she hears her master’s step outside.—­Yes, Flossie, that is his knock.—­But I wonder whom he is bringing in with him.’  And Mrs. Maberley straightened herself and smoothed the folds of her satin gown, and tried to look as usual, though there were tears in her bright eyes and her hands were a little tremulous.  I do not know why I felt so sure that it would be Mr. Hamilton, but I was not at all surprised when he followed the tall old colonel into the room.  But he certainly looked astonished when he saw me.

‘Miss Garston!’ he ejaculated, darting one of his keen looks at me.  But when he had shaken hands he sat down by Mrs. Maberley somewhat silently.

I was rather sorry to see Mr. Hamilton, for our talk had unsettled me and made me feel nervous in his presence.  I was afraid he would read something from our faces.  And I certainly saw him look at me more than once, as though something had aroused his suspicion.  For the first time I was unwilling to encounter one of those straight glances.  I felt guilty, as though I must avoid his eyes, but all the more I felt he was watching me.

I was anxious to put a stop to this uncomfortable state of things, but I could not silence Mrs. Maberley, who was relating to her husband the story of poor Flossie’s accident.  My presence of mind and skill were so much lauded, and the colonel said so many civil things, that I felt myself getting hotter every moment.

Mr. Hamilton came at last to my relief.

’I think Miss Garston resembles me in one thing, colonel.  She hates to be thanked for doing her duty.  You will drive her away if you say any more about Flossie.  Oh, I thought so,’ as I stretched out my hand for my hat:  ’I thought I interpreted that look aright.  Well, I must be going too.  I only brought him back safe to you, Mrs. Maberley.—­By the bye, colonel, I shall tell Gladys that you have never asked after her.’

’My sweetheart, Gladys!  To be sure I have not.  Well, how is she, my dear fellow?’

’As obstinate as ever, colonel.  Came downstairs to-day, and declares she will go to early service to-morrow, because it will be Christmas Day, and she has never missed yet.  Women are kittle cattle to manage.  Now, Miss Garston, if you are ready, I will see you a little on your way.’

I knew it was no good to remonstrate, so I held my peace, Mrs. Maberley kissed me quite affectionately, and begged me to come whenever I had an hour to spare.

’I wish I had known you before, my dear.  But there, we all make mistakes sometimes.’  And she patted me on the shoulder.  ’Edbrooke, will you see them out?  He will be your friend for ever, after your goodness to Flossie:  won’t you, Edbrooke?’