“Miss Thesiger,” I said, “I should be so pleased if I could excite your interest in my sister.”

“Have you a sister?” asked Lady Thesiger.  “I did not know it; I am afraid she will think me very remiss.”

I told them all about Clare, speaking, as was my fashion, with my heart upon my lips, telling them of her sweetness, her patience, her long illness, her cheerful resignation.  Agatha forgot her reserve, Lady Thesiger looked deeply interested, and when I had finished speaking, the tears were in my eyes.

Lady Thesiger held out her hand.

“You have quite touched my heart, Sir Edgar; I shall not rest until I have seen Miss Trevelyan.”

“Nor I,” added the daughter.

I turned eagerly to her.

“You will come over to see my sister?  I should be so grateful; she would welcome you so warmly.  I have always longed for her to have a friend.”

There was a slight constraint in the faces of mother and daughter.  I wondered what it meant.  Lady Thesiger was the first to speak.

“We shall be delighted to do all that lies in our power to soften Miss Trevelyan’s terrible affliction.  Pray, pardon me, Sir Edgar, but is Mademoiselle d’Aubergne still at Crown Anstey?”

“She is staying there as a companion to my sister, who is utterly incapable of taking any share in the management of the house.”

“You must find a wife,” said Sir John.  “I should say myself that Crown Anstey requires a mistress.”

I longed to say there and then how I should pray him to give me his daughter for a wife.  Our eyes met.  She must have read my thoughts, for her face grew crimson, nor did I catch another glimpse of those lovely eyes during my visit.

It was with difficulty I could tear myself away.  Sir John, who was a great connoisseur in horses, went with me to see Bonnie Prince.  While we stood on the lawn he turned to me with a constrained smile.

“So mademoiselle is still at Crown Anstey?” he said.  “I suppose she is as beautiful as ever?”

“Tastes differ,” I replied, oddly.  “Her beauty is not according to my idea.”

His kindly face cleared.

“That is right; she is of the siren order; some people would find her irresistible.  Now, pardon me if I say one word.  I have known the lady for five years, and know nothing against her, still mistrust her without knowing why.  You are young, new to the world; new, perhaps, to the influence of great womanly beauty; keep your heart safe.  Do not let Mademoiselle d’Aubergne take it from you.”

“There is no fear,” I replied, with a light laugh.  “Some day, Sir John, I will tell you where my heart has found its home.”

“I am glad you know how to take a hint given in all kindness,” he said, cordially.  “As my old friend’s heir and representative, my heart warms to you.”

I left Harden Manor a changed man.  The very earth around seemed changed to me; the sky wore a deeper blue; the grass a fairer green; there was new music in the birds’ songs and in the whisper of the wind, new hope in my own heart, new beauty all around me.  That was the beginning of the glamour posts call frenzy, men call love.