‘Mr. Rolfe —­ I am sure you feel that I am deserting my post.’

‘To be sure you are.  I shall always owe you a grudge for it.’

’I thought of it all —­ of Hughie and the others.  I didn’t know how I should ever face you.’

’’Twas a shameless thing.  And yet I can find it in my heart to forgive you.  You are so ingenuous about it.’

Mary looked up again.

‘What shall you do —­ about Hughie?’

’Oh, there’s a great scheme on foot.  Alma suggests that we shall go and live at Greystone.  It tempts me.’

‘That it must, indeed!  I know how you would like it.’

’We shouldn’t be so very far apart then —­ an hour’s journey or so.  You would come to us, and we to you.’

‘Delightful!’

They had not much more to say, but each was conscious of thought in the other’s mind that supplemented their insufficient phrases.  As they shook hands, Mary seemed trying to speak.  The lamplight made a glimmer in her eyes, and their lids drooped as she said at length ——­

‘I am so glad that you like each other.’

‘He’s a splendid fellow,’ replied Rolfe joyously.  ’I think no end of him.’

‘And he of you —­ for I have told him everything.’

Then Harvey quitted the house, and walked about under the starry sky until it was time to call for Alma.

CHAPTER 10

Yet once again did Alma hypnotise her imagination with a newideal of life.  Her talk was constantly of Greystone.  She began a correspondence with Mrs. Morton, who did her best to encourage all pleasant anticipations —­ careful the while, at her husband’s bidding and Harvey’s too, not to exaggerate the resources of Greystone for a mind and temper such as Alma’s.  Of course the little town had its musical circle, in which Mrs. Rolfe’s talent would find an appreciative reception.  Touching on this point to her correspondent, Alma remarked, with emphasised modesty, that she must not be regarded as a professional violinist; it would be better, perhaps, if nothing were said about her ‘rather audacious experiment’ in London.  Meanwhile, a suitable house was being looked for.  There need be no hurry; Midsummer was the earliest possible date for removal, and a few months later might prove more convenient.

At Easter came Mary Abbott’s wedding, which was celebrated as quietly as might be.  Alma had done her utmost to atone for bygone slights and coldness; she and Mary did not love each other, nor ever could, and for that reason they were all the more affectionate at this agitating time.  When all was over, the Rolfes set forth on their visit to Greystone.  Harvey could not look forward to complete enjoyment of the holiday, for by this time Cecil Morphew had succumbed to his old habits of tossing indolence, and only pretended to look after his business.  If Harvey withdrew, the shop must either be closed