"I don't suppose they would care for unaccompanied songs."

"Could you sing 'The Last Rose of Summer?'" he asked with a smile.

Meg could not interpret the smile. There was almost a look of mischief in it.

She flushed.

"I'd a deal rather not," she stammered.

"Rather not? But it is one of my favourite songs. I wonder now why you dislike it."

"I don't dislike it, but I made up my mind I'd never sing it again. You see I told you it brought Jem to me, and I turned my back on him. I couldn't sing it again. I hate the song."

"And if it brought him again would you still hate it?"

"How could I?" said Meg quietly. There was a tone in her voice which Mr. Wentworth noticed and interpreted.

He rose.