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hinted at Pamela’s diffidence and rather inferred that she was playing with him. Markham sagely commented on the difficulty such a young girl experiences in making up her mind. He counselled patience combined with unceasing attentions, and dreamed happily over this very delightful idea. If Pamela were really penniless and homeless what better fortune could she desire than marriage with such a clever, reliable young fellow as Alick?

So the days passed, and one morning it was arranged that Pamela should accompany her aunt, who was calling on some neighbours seventeen miles away. She did not like to refuse. Power was to drive them, but Aunt Rosa would be there too, and though the prospect of the greater part of a day spent in her society was not alluring, Pamela mentally resolved that she would take the back seat of the buggy herself and leave Aunt Rosa and Power to entertain each other in front. Probably neither of them was very pleased by this arrangement—Pamela caught a gleam in Power’s eye and noted the tightening of Aunt Rosa’s lips as she laughed away their protests and settled herself in the seat she had chosen. It was a silent drive, and the neighbours turned out to be a not very exhilarating family. Aunt Rosa was closeted with Mrs. West all the afternoon. Pamela sat with the two girls on the front piazza. Power had disappeared, but at half-past four he drove round from the stables, ready to start.

“You might sit in front with me, Pamela,” he said. “As a matter of fact, Mrs. Learmonth really prefers the back seat—she said so, coming over. You don’t want to have your own way twice in one day, do you?”

She judged it wiser to give in, rather than discuss the matter further before the West girls, and as the horses were restive and Aunt Rosa did not appear at once, at Power’s request she took her place beside him there and then.