She raised her lips to kiss his neck. "That's the loveliest thing you ever said to me, darling," she said, with a throb in her voice. "I love being an invalid—with you to spoil me. But—if you'll promise—promise—promise—to love me quite as much—if I get well, I will get well—really well—for your sake."
Again she was panting. He felt it as he held her, and after a moment or two very tenderly he laid her back.
"God bless you, my dear!" he said. "You needn't be afraid. I've learnt my lesson, and I shan't forget it."
"The lesson of love!" she murmured, holding his hand against her thumping heart.
"Yes. Juliet began the teaching. A wonderful girl that. She seems to know everything. I wonder where she learnt it."
"She is wonderful," Vera agreed thoughtfully. "I sometimes think she has had a hard life. She says so little about herself."
"She has moved among a fairly rapid lot," observed the squire. "Lord
Saltash is intimate enough to call her by her Christian name."
"Does he ever talk about her?" asked Vera, interested.
"Not much," said the squire.
"You think he is fond of her at all?"