‘And has he been constant to her all these years?  How nice!’ cried Mysie.

‘After a fashion,’ said Lady Merrifield.  ’He made me the receptacle of a good deal of youthful despair.’

‘All the lads did,’ said her husband.

’But he got over it, and it seemed to have passed out of his life.  However, he asked after the Whites as soon as we met him in London; and now he tells me that he never forgot Kalliope—–­her face always came between him and any one whom his mother threw in his way; and he came down here, knowing her history, and with the object of seeing her again.’

‘And he has not, till now?’

’No.  Besides the absolute need of keeping her quiet, it would not exactly do for him to visit her while she is alone with Maura at Cliff House, and I wished him first to see her casually amongst us, for I dreaded her not fulfilling his ideal.’

‘Oh!’

’When I think of her at fourteen or fifteen, with that exquisite bloom and the floating wavy hair, I see a very different creature from what she is now.’

‘Peach or ivory carving,’ said Sir Jasper.

’Yes; she is nobler, finer altogether, and has gained in countenance greatly; but he may not think so, and I should like her to be looking a little less ill.’

’Well, I can’t help hoping he will be disappointed, and be too stupid to care for her!’ exclaimed Gillian.

‘Indeed?’ said her father in a tone of displeased surprise.

‘He is so insignificant; he does not seem to suit with her,’ said Gillian in a tone of defence;’ and there does not seem to be anything in him.’

’That only shows the effect of nursing prejudice by using foolish opprobrious nicknames.  Henderson was a good officer, he has shown himself an excellent son, always sacrificing his own predilections for the sake of duty.  He is a right-minded, religious, sensible man, his own master, and with no connections to take umbrage at Miss White’s position.  It is no commonplace man who knows how to honour her for it.  Nothing could be a happier fate for her; and you will be no friend to her if you use any foolish terms of disparagement of him because he does not happen to please your fancy.’

’I am sure Gillian will do no such thing, now that she understands the case’ said her mother.

’Oh no, indeed! said Gillian.  ‘It was only a first feeling.’

‘And you will allow for a little annoyance, papa,’ added Lady Merrifield.  ’We really have had a great deal of him, and he does spoil the children’s walks with you.’

Sir Jasper laughed.

’I agree that the sooner this is over the better.  You need have no doubts as to the first view, now that Gillian has effected the introduction.  No words can do justice to her beauty, though, by the bye, he must have contemplated her through the back of his head!’

’Well, won’t that do!  Can’t he be sent off for the present, for as to love-making now, with all the doubts and scruples in the way, it would be the way to kill her outright.’