"Oh, come! What gifts have I? I can talk and laugh, and listen, not much else."
"Do you want the truth from me?"
Something in his tone and look made Anstice say hastily:
"No, I think not. And I know my own limitations. I feel friendly disposed towards every one, but I've a certain amount of home duties which cannot be neglected. I came here to do certain things in my husband's absence. I do not want to be hindered from carrying out my plans."
"Don't be too conscientious," advised Colonel Dermot. "Let your natural impulses have a chance."
They talked on together. He found her elusive directly he tried to get to close quarters, and when he got up to go, he sighed heavily.
"I think I must come down in the autumn and have some more rambles over the Fells with you. Perhaps when you have tasted real loneliness, you will be kinder to me."
"I could not be kinder than I feel at present," replied Anstice with her frank, sweet smile; "as my husband's old friend, and Ruffie's godfather, I look upon you as my friend also, and shall always be glad to see you when you are in our neighbourhood. Good-bye."
She gave him her hand, which he deliberately raised to his lips, and as he strode away, he murmured to himself:
"I wish I had the power to penetrate her outer crust. She is too warm-blooded a creature to be so sweetly indifferent. If Justin does not appreciate her, he will find that others do."