This settled the matter, for Aunt Philippa grew so sorry for me that she was almost out of breath again pitying me.  ’I do not believe she can help it,’ she said, in rather an audible aside to Mrs. Fullerton; ’her mother had a sort of craze about these things, and seemed to think it part of her religion to make herself uncomfortable; and poor Herbert was quite as bad, only he was a clergyman, and it did not matter so much with him; so I suppose the poor child inherits it.  This sort of thing runs in families,’ went on Aunt Philippa, in an awe-struck voice, as though it were a species of insanity.  ’I am only thankful that my own girls have not got these notions.’

Mrs. Fullerton found out now that it was time to go home and dress for dinner, so Lesbia came round to me and whispered that I must come and see her soon, for she wanted to talk to me, and not to Sara, who was always running in and out.

’I am very fond of Sara, and like to see her, she amuses me so; but when I want advice or sympathy I feel I must come to you now, Ursula.’  And though she had never said so much to me before, I knew she meant it; that there was some change in her, some want of nature or heaven knows what feminine need, when she missed me, and wanted me, and found some comfort in the thought of me.

There was no time for more discussion, and indeed we were all a little weary of it; but after dinner Uncle Max, who seemed in excellent spirits, as though he had done something wonderful and was proud of his own achievements, beckoned me into the inner drawing-room under pretence of showing me some engravings, and when we found ourselves alone, he said pleasantly, though abruptly—­

’Well, Ursula, I thought you would be glad to have an opportunity of thanking me, for of course you feel very grateful to me for all the trouble I have taken.’

‘Oh, indeed!’ I returned scornfully, for it would never do to encourage this vainglorious spirit.  ’I should have felt more disposed to thank you if you had not kept me for two days in suspense!’

‘That is the result of doing a woman a good turn,’ shaking his head mournfully.  ’The moment she gets her own way, she turns upon you and rends you.  Fie, fie on you, little she-bear!’

‘Oh, Max, do be quiet a moment.’

’Max, indeed!  Where are your manners, child?  What would Garston say if he heard your flippancy?’ But by the way he stroked his beard and looked at me, I saw he was not displeased.  No one would have taken him for my uncle who had seen us together, for he was a young-looking man, and I was old for my age.

‘I do want you to be serious a moment,’ I went on plaintively.  ’I am really very obliged to you for having broken the ice:  after all, I have not been badly submerged.  I soon rose to the surface when Lesbia held out a helping hand.’

‘Well, now, Ursula, do you not agree with me?—­was not Lesbia a darling?’