“Oh, my darling!” Miss Arden sighed. “After all these months. I’ve so longed to have you with me again!”

Elizabeth was touched. She slipped her arm about Miss Arden and hugged her slightly.

“I’m sorry, auntie, but I couldn’t come before. You and Father must come down to the Halt this summer when the roses are in bloom. You will, won’t you?”

“Oh, my dear, of course! Elizabeth, you’re fatter!”

“She is looking the picture of health,” Lawrence said complacently.

“I’ve never seen you so well-covered!” exclaimed Miss Arden, stepping back to survey her niece. “Never!”

“It comes of associating so much with the lady in Stephen’s new book,” laughed Elizabeth. “Stephen informs the world in three places that she’s deep-bosomed. Isn’t it an awful expression? I’m growing like her.”

“Elizabeth dear! And—and how is—Stephen?”

Elizabeth went to the looking-glass and removed her hat.

“Rather peevish. He doesn’t like being left alone, poor old thing.”

“My dear Elizabeth, surely you must have known that our invitation included him?” Lawrence said.

“Oh yes, father! I just—didn’t want him. How is Mr. Hengist?”

Miss Arden compressed her lips.

“Very well, I believe. That man is never ill. He is coming to dine with us to-night, I am sorry to say. I should have liked to have you to myself, but your father had already invited him. I hope you don’t mind, Elizabeth?”

“Of course I don’t. Mr. Hengist is my oldest friend. I want to see him.”

“In that case, it’s all right then,” Miss Arden said, in a voice that told Elizabeth that it was not all right at all, but all wrong.

She longed to see Mr. Hengist; she put on a wispy black evening frock for his benefit, having found that in most men’s eyes black found favour. She spent much time in the arrangement of her hair and when at last she was ready looked keenly at her reflection in the mirror.

“I’ve matured,” she thought. “I used to be pretty. I’m more than that now. I’m different. I’m Elizabeth-pure-and-simple.”

She went down to the drawing-room and stood for a moment against the white door, smiling. Mr. Hengist, rising, thought that her great eyes were like stars. She looked older, but infinitely more beautiful.

She came forward.

“By Jove!” thought Mr. Hengist. “She’s suddenly grown into a woman. She’s got poise at last! Poise and assurance.”

“I’m so sorry if I’ve kept everyone waiting,” Elizabeth said. “Mr. Hengist, I am so very, very glad to see you.”

He kissed her, and patted her shoulder.

“My dear child,” he said gruffly. “Yes, and yes, and yes.”

She laughed up at him.

“Is it yes, Mr. Hengist?”

“It looks like it,” he answered.

“Aha! You see, I’ve got a new name for myself.” Her eyes danced; he thought her transfigured.