"Now you are really a grown-up young lady."

What was there to say? He smiled as though it were a great joke that I had grown up.

He did not stay long at Framling. I heard from Mrs. Janson, who had it from the Framling cook, that he would be going to India soon; and that he was in London most of the time, in the offices there, learning about the East India Company, with which the Framling family had been concerned ever since it came into existence.

I wrote to Polly and sent Christmas presents to them, among them a little jacket for Fleur. Polly wrote back, but her letters were full of how the baby was getting on, how she smiled at Polly first, only Eff wouldn't have it, that that was not a smile. It was only a bit of wind, said Eff, determined to be the first to win recognition from the baby. In February, Lavinia and Lady Harriet went to London. The weather was extremely cold and my father caught a chill, which turned to bronchitis. He was quite ill and most of my time was spent nursing him.

A curate came to help out. He was Colin Brady, a fresh-faced, earnest young man who was quickly popular with the household. Mrs. Janson cossetted him and the others followed her lead. He was very much liked in the neighbourhood.

I was pleased that he had come, for willingly he took all the onerous tasks from my father's shoulders; he very quickly became part of the household.

He and I got along well together. We both enjoyed reading and discussing what we had read. There was an air of innocence about him which I found refreshing. He would discuss his sermons with me and he always listened to my ideas. I seemed to take more part in church affairs than I had when my father was in charge.

My father's health was improving, but, as Mrs. Janson said, he had to take care. We never allowed him to go out if the wind was cold; it was really quite touching to see how Colin Brady was always there when there was a question of my father's doing something which would be too much for him, and doing it himself in an unostentatious way.

I was very grateful to him and very glad that he was there, until I began to notice the surreptitious looks that came to us, not only from Mrs. Janson, but from the servants and certain of the parishioners. They had decided that the ideal solution was for me to marry Colin and that he should take over completely, thus solving the future of my father, Colin and myself in one swoop.

The result was that they had spoilt my pleasant relationship with the curate. I liked him very much, but the thought of what was in people's mind concerning us made me less comfortable in his presence.

With the coming of the spring my father was almost back to normal.

"He's a marvel," said Mrs. Janson. "They say creaking doors go on for a long time."

Fabian came to Framling and with him was Dougal Carruthers. Lady Harriet and Lavinia were still in London. I was writing regularly to Polly and received news of the baby. I told Polly that I wanted to come and see them, but in view of my father's health I had not been able to do so before. But now that he was better I wanted to arrange a visit. Polly wrote back that the baby was a little love, bright as a button, and did she know how to get her own way! I was not to worry about her and when I did come I could be sure of a big welcome.

Dear, dear Polly! What would I have done without her? What would Lavinia have done? I imagined her now being presented to the Queen, going to balls and parties; she would have completely forgotten the bogus Comte just as she had Jos. But could she have forgotten Fleur? I could not believe even La­vinia would do that.

I decided that I would go to London during the following week.

Dougal called to see my father. He stayed to tea and my father greatly enjoyed his visit. I was pleased to see him so animated, looking as well as he had before the winter.

When Dougal left I conducted him to the hall and thanked him for calling.

"But it was a pleasure," he said.

"It has done my father so much good. He has been rather ill and that makes him low in spirit."

"I hope I may come again."

"Please do. My father will be delighted to see you at any time."

"You too, I hope."

I did not expect him to come again so soon, but the next afternoon he presented himself. It was another pleasant teatime and my father said, "Do come and dine with us. There is so much we have to talk about."

"I should greatly enjoy that," replied Dougal, "but I am a guest at Framling. I could hardly leave my host."

"Bring him too," said my father rashly.

"May I? I am sure he would be delighted to come."

Mrs. Janson was slightly less than delighted. She did not like the idea of entertaining "them up at the House," and of course Sir Fabian would be our guest.

I said, "Don't worry. Just forget who he is."

"The trouble with them Framlings is they never let you forget who they are."

And so Fabian came to dine.

He took my hands and held them for a few moments in a warm grip.

"Thank you for letting me come," he said, somewhat insincerely, I thought, for I was sure he was not in the least grateful to be invited to our humble dwelling.

"Mr. Carruthers suggested it," I told him.

He raised his eyebrows as though he were amused. In fact I was beginning to feel that most of the time he regarded me with amusement.

"The Rector has an astonishing knowledge of ancient Greece," said Dougal. "He has some quite unusual ideas."

"How fascinating!" said Fabian, continuing to smile at me.

I took them to the drawing room, where my father was seated in his chair. Colin Brady was with him.

"I think you all know each other," I said.

"I don't think we have met," said Fabian, eyeing Colin closely.

"Mr. Brady came to help my father when he was ill and we are hoping he is going to stay with us."

"That must be useful," said Fabian.

"And Mr. Brady ... this is Sir Fabian Framling."

Colin was a little in awe of Fabian. He knew he came from the influential family that ruled the village.

Soon we were seated at table. Mrs. Janson had excelled herself and the maids had been given detailed instructions as to how they were to behave.

Dougal was in conversation with my father, with Colin Brady now and then throwing in a remark. Fabian turned to me.

"Did you enjoy Lamason?" he asked.

"It was a most interesting experience," I told him.

"I think my sister found it so, too."

"I am sure she did."

"And now you are back ... what shall you do?"

"I suppose ... I just go on living here."

He nodded.

My father was talking about the ancient civilizations that flourished for a while and then passed away.

"It is a pattern," said Dougal. "Empires rise and fall. I suppose the most significant fall was that of the Roman Empire. All over Europe you can see the remains of that civilization ... in spite of the fact that its fall was followed by the Dark Ages."

Then I heard my father say, "Drusilla was at Lindenstein only recently."

"Lindenstein," said Dougal. "Now that is a very interesting spot. You remember it, Fabian." He turned to me. "Fabian and I did a kind of grand tour. We visited all the conventional places, didn't we, Fabian? But we did stray from the beaten track now and then. Actually we were quite near Lindenstein."

I felt myself flushing a little. I was always uncomfortable when there was reference to our deceit. I wanted to change the conversation quickly.

"Tell us what you think of Florence, Mr. Carruthers," I said. "I have always felt it must be the most fascinating city in the world."

"There are many who would agree with you," replied Dougal.

My father said, "How I should love to stroll along the Arno where Dante met Beatrice."

"What do you think of Lindenstein, Miss Delany?" asked Fabian.

"Oh ... very interesting."

"That medieval Schloss ..."

"That is where Drusilla stayed, isn't it, Drusilla?" said my father. "The Princess was at school with Drusilla and Lavinia. She invited them. It was a great experience."

"Yes," I said with feeling. "We had a great experience."

My father had turned the conversation back to Dante, and Colin and Dougal joined in.

Fabian said quietly to me, "An amazing little country, Lindenstein. Those mountains ... stark and grim ... don't you think?"

"Oh yes," I said.

"And the Schloss. Extraordinary architecture ... all those towers ..."

I nodded.

"It must have been very interesting to stay in such a place."

I nodded again.

He was regarding me intently. I wondered if Lavinia could have confided in him after all; and I felt suddenly angry that I should have been burdened with her secret.

When I left the men with the port I went to my room. Fabian Framling always disconcerted me. It was the way in which he looked at me, as though he were trying to remind me how vulnerable I was.

When they were taking their departure my father said, "This has been a pleasant evening. I rarely meet people who are interested in my hobbies. Do please come again."

"You must dine at Framling," said Fabian.

"Thank you," I said, "but my father should not be out in the evening." I was looking at Dougal. "It is better for you to come here."

"That I shall certainly do ... when I am asked."

"I hope you will be here for a little while yet," said my father.