“Yes. She would read it to you. It was awfully silly, you know. I didn’t know much about it at the time, but now I realise that no girl would have said the sort of things Jasmine said when Horace asked her to go away with him. By the way, Stephen, what are you writing now? I loved ‘Caraway Seeds.’”

“Really?” he said eagerly.

“Yes. I didn’t appreciate it at first, but I’ve read it three times now. What about the new book?”

He shrugged despairingly.

“It wouldn’t come. It will now that I’ve got you again.”

“Isn’t any of it written?”

“Oh, a page or two.”

She leaned forward.

“Give them to me to-day, will you, Stephen?”

“What for?” he asked. “They’re no good.”

“Never mind. I want them.”

“All right, but what’s the idea?”

She smiled mysteriously.

“You’ll see. I’m going to present you with a sample.”

He was thoroughly intrigued.

“Sample of what?”

“Don’t be so inquisitive. I’ll show you when it’s done.”

He shook his head.

“I wish I knew what you were getting at,” he said.

After breakfast Elizabeth went to Nana’s room, and stayed there for along time, talking. At the end of their conversation they shook hands, and Nana said,

“It will be quite different this time, madam, if we can work together.” Then she spoke in her usual tone, and said sharply, “And I hope to goodness you’re not thinking of walking to the village in those thin shoes, madam. You’ll catch your death of cold if you do.”

Elizabeth knew then that Nana had accepted her at last. She changed her shoes, and, armed with a basket, went with the dogs into the village.

The sight of Lady Ribblemere emerging from the butcher’s shop, sent the blood racing to her cheeks. Her first impulse was to turn and run away; she conquered it, and went on, head held high.

“Dear me, if it is not Mrs. Ramsay!” exclaimed Lady Ribblemere. “I had no idea you were back. And where have you been all this time, I wonder? There were some very strange stories afloat, but I paid very little heed to them. I always think rumours so untrustworthy.”

Elizabeth looked her full in the face.

“Stephen and I have been living apart,” she said clearly. “So I expect the rumours you heard were true.”

Lady Ribblemere became uncomfortable, and somewhat flustered.

“Living apart, my dear! I hope that is all over now? Such a dreadful thing! Ah, I see you have the dogs with you! I do not think I have ever seen so large a dog as Hector. I hope you will have no fights. I always think a dog-fight such a terrible thing. And how is Stephen?”

“He’s quite well, thank you.”

“What a merciful thing! And his dear mother? I have not seen her for quite an age.”