"No, dear, no. They happen around us every day. When you see a girl with a blushing face and a dreaming eye, or hear a young fellow singing gaily for very joy of life, you will know that love has come to them both, and they are telling each other the beautiful story, in the full belief that such story is quite original, though Adam told it to Eve in the garden of Eden."
"It sounds delightful," sighed the girl, pensively. "I suppose you are telling me your experience."
"My experience," echoed Mrs. Belswin, flushing acutely. "No, child, no. I have had my romance, like all women, but it ended sadly."
"I understand," said Kaituna quietly; "you are thinking of your lost child."
Mrs. Belswin was about to make some passionate rejoinder, but checked herself suddenly, and went on eating her breakfast with forced composure.
Kaituna also became silent, thinking over what had been said, and there was no further conversation until the butler entered and handed the girl a letter.
"From the vicarage, miss," he said ceremoniously, and retired.
The letter proved to be from Toby Clendon, being a few lines announcing the fact that Mr. Maxwell was staying with him, and that they would both come on that afternoon to Thornstream to renew the acquaintance so pleasantly begun at Marsh-on-the Sea.
"What is the matter?" asked Mrs. Belswin, staring in some astonishment at the rosy face and bright eyes of the girl. "Nothing is wrong, I hope?"
"No! no! I'm sure I don't look as if anything were wrong. It's this letter from Mr. Clendon."