‘About Rutherford Lodge,’ I returned quickly.  ’Do you really want to go back there?’

‘Did mother talk about that?’ looking excessively pleased.  ’Oh yes, I am longing to go back.  I don’t want to frighten you, Ursie, dear,—­and, indeed, there is no need,—­but this life is half killing me.  I am too close to Hyde Park Gate; one never gets a chance of forgetting old troubles; and then mother is always saying gaiety is good for me, and she will accept every invitation that comes; and I get so horribly tired; and then one cannot fight so well against depression.’

I took her hand silently, but made no answer; but I suppose she felt my sympathy.

‘You must not think I am wicked and rebellious,’ she went on, with a sigh.  ’I promised dear Charlie to be brave, and not let the trouble spoil my life; he would have it that I was so young that happiness must return after a time, and so I mean to do my best to be happy, for mother’s sake, as well as my own; and I know Charlie would not like me to go on grieving,’ with a sad little smile.

‘No, darling, and I quite understand you.’  And she cheered up at that.

’I knew you would, and that is why I want to tell you things.  I have tried to do as mother wished, but I do not think her plan answers; excitement carries one away, and one can be as merry as other girls for a time, but it all comes back worse than ever.’

‘Mere gaiety never satisfied an aching heart yet.’

’No; I told mother so, and I begged her to go back to Rutherford because it is so quiet and peaceful there and I think I shall be happier.  I shall have my garden and conservatory, and there will be plenty of riding and tennis.  I am very fond of our vicar’s wife, Mrs. Trevor, and I rather enjoy helping her in the Sunday-school and at the mothers’ meeting; not that I do much, for I am not like you, Ursula, but I like to pretend to be useful sometimes.’

’I see what you mean, Lesbia:  your life will be more natural and less strained than it is here.’

’Yes, and time will hang less heavy on my hands.  I do love gardening, Ursula.  I know I shall forget my troubles when I find myself with dear old Patrick again, grumbling because I will pick the roses.  I shall sleep better in my little room, and wake less unhappy.  Oh, mother!’ as Mrs. Fullerton entered at that moment with a half-finished note in her hand, ’I am telling Ursula how home-sick I am, and how I long for the dear old Lodge.  Do let us go back, mother darling:  I want to hunt for violets again in the little shady hollow beyond the lime-tree walk.’

‘Yes, dearest, we will go if you really wish it so much,’ returned Mrs. Fullerton, with a sigh.  ‘Why, my pet, did you think I should refuse?’ as Lesbia put her arms round her neck and thanked her.  ’When a mother has only got one child she is not likely to deny her much:  is she, Ursula?’