I had very little to pack. My grey and mauve dresses were dean, for which I was thankful, and I would wear my grey merino. It was not very becoming but it would be too difficult to pack.

I took out the green silk dress which I had worn at the Christmas ball. Should I take it? Why not? I had rarely possessed anything so becoming, and who knew, there might be an occasion when I could wear it.

I took out my comb and shawl, stuck the comb in my hair and let the shawl fall negligently about my shoulders.

I thought of the Christmas ball—that moment when Peter had taken my hand and had drawn me into the Furry Dance. I heard the tune in my

head and began to dance, for the n moment really feeling I was in the ballroom and that it was Christmas night again.

I had not heard Gilly come in, and I was startled to see her standing watching me. Really, the child did move too silently about the house.

I stopped dancing, flushing with embarrassment to have been caught in such silly behaviour. Gilly was regarding me solemnly.

She looked at the bag on my bed and the folded clothes beside it, and immediately my pleasure left me for I understood that Gilly was going to be very unhappy if we went away.

I stooped down and put my arms about her. ” It’ll only be for a little while, Gilly.”

She screwed her eyes up tightly and would not look at me.

” Gilly,” I said, ” listen. We’ll soon be back, you know.”

She shook her head and I saw tears squeeze themselves out of her eyes.

” Then,” I went on, ” we’ll have our lessons. You shall draw me more letters in the sand, and soon you will be writing your name.”

But I could see that she refused to be comforted.

She tore herself from me and ran to the bed and began pulling the things out of my trunk.

” No, Gilly, no,” I said. I lifted her up in my arms and went to a chair. I sat for a while rocking her. I went on: ” I’m coming back, you know, Gilly. In less than no time I’ll be here. It will seem as though I’ve never been away.”

She spoke then: “You won’t come back. She … She …”

” Yes, Gilly, yes?”

“She … went.”

For the moment I forgot even the fact that I was going to Connan, because I was certain now that Gilly knew something, and what she knew might throw some light on the mystery of Alice.

” Gilly,” I said, ” did she say goodbye to you before she went?”

Gilly shook her head vehemently, and I thought she was going to burst into tears.

” Gilly,” I pleaded, ” try to talk to me, try to tell me…. Did you see her go?”

Gilly threw herself at me and buried her face against my bodice. I held her tenderly for a moment, then withdrew myself and looked into her face; but her eyes were tightly shut.

She ran back to the bed and again started to pull the things out of my trunk.

” No….” she cried. ” No … no….”

Swiftly I went to her. ” Look, Gilly,” I said, ” I’m coming back. I’ll only be away a short time.”

” She stayed away!”

We were back at that point where we started. I did not believe I could discover anything more from her at this stage.

She lifted her little face to mine and all the blankness had gone from the eyes; they were tragic.

I saw in that moment how much my care of her had meant to her, and that it was impossible to make her understand that if I went away it was not for ever. Alice had been kind to her and Alice had gone. Her experiences had taught her that that was the way of life.

A few days . a week in the life of Gilly . would be like a year to most of us. I knew then that I could not leave Gilly behind.

Then I asked myself what Connan would say if I arrived with both children.

I believed that I could adequately explain my reasons. However, I was not going to leave Gilly behind. I could let Mrs. Polgrey know that the master expected the two children; she would be pleased; she trusted Gilly with me, and she had been the first to admit that the child had improved since I had tried to help her.

” Gilly,” I said. ” I’m going away for a few days. Alvean and you are coming with me.” I kissed her upturned face. And I repeated because she looked so bewildered: ” You are coming with me. You’ll like that, won’t you.”

It was still some seconds before she understood, and then she shut her eyes tightly and lowered her head; I saw she smiled. That moved me more than any words could have done.

I felt I was ready to brave Connan’s displeasure to bring such happiness to this poor child.

The next morning we set out early, and the whole household turned out to see us go. I sat in the carriage with a child on either side of me, and Billy Trehay in TreMellyn’s livery sat jauntily in the driver’s seat talking to the horses.

Mrs. Polgrey stood, her arms folded across her bosom, and her eyes were on GiUy. It was dear that she was delighted to see her little granddaughter riding with myself and Alvean.

Tapperty stood with his daughters on either side of him; and their twinkling eyes, all so much alike, were full of speculation.

I did not care. I felt so lightheaded as we drove off that it was all I could do to prevent myself breaking into song.

It was a bright sunny morning and there was a slight frost in the air which sparkled on the grass, and the thin layer of ice on the ponds and streams.

We rattled along at a good speed over the rough roads. The children were in high spirits; Alvean chattered a good deal, and GiUy sat contentedly beside me. I noticed that she clutched my skirt with one hand, and the gesture filled me with tenderness for her. I was deeply aware of my responsibility towards this child.

Billy was talkative, and when we passed a grave at a crossroads, he uttered a prayer for the poor lost soul who was buried there.

” Not that the soul will rest, me dears. A person who meets death that way never rests.

“Tis the same if they meet death any way violent like. They can’t stay buried underground. They walks.”

” What nonsense!” I said sharply.

” Them that knows no better call wisdom nonsense,” retorted Billy, piqued.

” It seems to me that many people have too lively imaginations.”

The children’s eyes I noticed were fixed on my face.

” Why,” I said quickly as we passed a cob cottage with !

What’s that over them? “

” Tis black crepe,” said Billy. ” It means death in the family. Bees would take it terrible hard if they weren’t told of the death and helped to share in the mourning.”

I was glad when we arrived in the station.

We were met at Penzance by a carriage and then began the journey to Penlandstow. It was growing dark when we turned into a drive and I saw a house loom up before us. There was a man in the porch with a lantern who called out: ” They be here. Run and tell master. He did say to let him know the minute they did come.”

We were a little stiff and both children were half-asleep. I helped them down and as I turned, I saw Connan standing beside me. I could not see him very dearly in the dim light but I did know that he was very pleased to see me. He took my hand and pressed it warmly.

Then he said an astonishing thing. ” I’ve been anxious. I visualised all sorts of mishaps. I wished I’d come and brought you here myself.”

I thought: He means Alvean, of course. He is not really talking to me.

But he was facing me, and smiling; and I felt I had never been quite so happy in the whole of my life.

I began: ” The children …”

He smiled down at Alvean.

” Hallo, Papa,” she said. ” It’s lovely to be here with you.”

He laid a hand on her shoulder, and she looked up at him almost pleadingly, as though she were asking him to kiss her. That, it seemed, was asking too much.

He merely said: ” I’m glad you’ve come, Alvean. You’ll have some fun here.”

Then I brought Gilly forward.

” What …” he began.

” We couldn’t leave Gilly behind,” I said. ” You know you gave me your permission to teach her.”

He hesitated for a moment. Then he looked at me and laughed. I knew in that moment that he was so pleased to see me—me, not the others—that he would not have cared whom I brought with me as long as I came myself.

It was no wonder that as I walked into Alice’s old home I felt as though I were entering an enchanted place.

During the next two weeks it seemed that I had left behind me the cold hard world of reality and stepped into one of my own making, and that everything I desired was to be mine.

From the moment I arrived at Penlandstow Manor I was treated, not as a governess, but as a guest. In a few days I had lost my sensitivity on this point and, when I had cast that off, I was like the high-spirited girl who had enjoyed life in the country vicarage with her father and Phillida.

I was given a pleasant room next to Alvean’s and when I asked that Gilly should be put near me this was done.

Penlandstow was a house of great charm which had been built in the Elizabethan era. It was almost as large as Mount Mellyn and as easy to lose oneself in.

My room was large and there were padded window seats upholstered in red velvet, and dark red curtains. My bed was a fourposter hung with silk embroidered curtains. The carpet was of the same deep red, and this would have given warmth to the room even if there had not been a log fire burning in the open grate.

My bag was brought up to this room and one of the maids Sroceeded to unpack while I stood by the fire watching the blue ames dart among the logs.