‘I am going to London very soon with your Aunt Isabel and the girls,’ she said, trying to lead the conversation into more commonplace grooves.

’And couldn’t you see about your trousseau when you are there?  Isn’t London the place to get such things?’ he asked.  But Gladys calmly ignored this speech.

’I have engaged Christina Balfour to remain at least all summer at Bourhill.  She can be useful to Miss Peck in many ways, and she is devoted to the place.  Poor Lizzie has fearfully disappointed me.  What would you advise me to do about her?’

‘Nothing.  There is nothing you can possibly do now but leave her alone,’ he answered at once.  ’Do you think it is wise to keep the other one here?’

’Oh yes; why not?  I am really going to perfect that scheme for the working girls soon.  Meantime, I think I have got a little disheartened; I am afraid I am not very brave.  I hoped that you would help me in that.’

She turned to him with a look which no man living could resist.

’My darling, I’ll do anything you wish.  I’m not half good enough for you,’ he cried, uttering this solemn truth with all sincerity.  ’Only give me the right to be interested in all that interests you, and you’ll find you can make of me what you like.’

Gladys was silent a moment, on her face a strange look.  She was thinking, not of the lover pleading so passionately at her side, but of one who, while loving her not less dearly, had sufficient manliness and strength of will to go his way alone—­conquering, unassisted, difficulties which would appear unsurmountable to most men.  George Fordyce, looking at her, wondered at the cloud upon her brow.

’Promise me, my darling, that you won’t keep me waiting too long.  Surely three months is long enough for the making of the best trousseau any woman can want?  Won’t you promise to come to me in autumn, and let us have a lovely holiday, coming back in winter to work together in real earnest?’

She turned her head to him slowly, and her eyes met his with a long, questioning, half-pathetic look.

‘In autumn?  That is very soon,’ she said.  ’But, well, perhaps I will think about it, only you must let me be till I have made up my mind.  Why, here we are already at home.’

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XLII.

A DISCOVERY.

It was some days before Gladys could summon courage to write to Walter about his sister.  Had she known the consequences of that delay she would have been profoundly unhappy; it gave Liz the chance, which she took advantage of, to get clear away from the city.