He sat back, still smiling. "This is really a pleasant way of travelling. Usually I regret the time spent on it."

"You will be doing a good deal of travelling, I daresay."

"Oh, you mean India, where I shall be going at some time."

"Soon, I suppose."

"Probably at the end of the year. Carruthers will go, too. You see, our families are connected with the East India Company."

"I had heard."

"From Carruthers, I suppose. I know he is a frequent visitor at the rectory."

"He gets on well with my father. They have shared interests."

"We have been brought up with the idea that we shall eventually go into the Company. My uncle ... my father's brother ... has offices in London. I go there now and then ... gleaning experience, you might say."

"It must be interesting."

"The Company ... oh yes. It is part of history, of course. It goes back years and years. As you know, trading with India started when Vasco de Gama discovered the eastern passage and cast anchor off Calicut. But the Portuguese never started a trading company; they left that to us. Did you know that Queen Elizabeth granted us a charter to trade? It was on the very last day of the sixteenth century. So, you see, we have our roots in the past and it is obligatory in the family to carry on."

"You must be very proud of your ancestors."

"We do have our share of sinners."

"All families have that."

"Some more than most. Now I imagine yours is very worthy ... just the occasional peccadillo perhaps."

"It might be better not to enquire."

"I am sure you are right, but with a family like ours it all seems to be recorded. We know that an ancestor was one of those who founded the Company and we know something of the lives of those who followed him. People are unexpected, don't you agree? Those who appear so virtuous often have their secrets and the villains often a grain of goodness."

I said, "Tell me about the merchandise. What commodities do you deal in?"

"We send out bullion, woollens, hardware and such things to India and we bring back silks, diamonds, tea, porcelain, pepper, calico, drugs and so on."

"I see. You are traders."

"Exactly. But we have become very powerful. You see, we were not content with trading. We wanted to rule, and we have taken part in quarrels between Indian princes, supporting one against another. We have gained power, and some would say that the East India Company is the true ruler of India."

"Do the Indians resent this?"

"Naturally, some of them do. Others see the advantages we have brought them. The French had an East India Company, too. That is the reason for the trouble between our two countries."

"It seems to me that this ambition for power causes a great deal of trouble."

He nodded. "You see why, do you not, that it is a family tradition."

"Yes, I do," I said, "with a family like yours."

"Well, enough of the Company and my family. What of you? What do you propose to do now you are home?"

"Do? What could I do?"

"You tell me."

"At the moment I am helping to run the rectory and look after my father. There are a great many duties that fall to the rector's family. I suppose that is what I shall continue to do."

"You have no plan ... no ambition? To travel perhaps? You have already been to France ... and Lindenstein."

I replied hurriedly, "I suppose one waits to see what happens."

"Some of us are impatient and prod fate. Are you one of those?"

"That is something I have to find out. Up to now I have never done any prodding. Have you?"

He leaned towards me. "I am continually doing it. If I want something I make an effort to get it."

"It is all that ambition and lust for power. It is because you belong to the Framlings and the East India Company."

"Not entirely. It is my pushing nature."

I laughed and he said, "How different you are when you laugh. Did you know that you look a little severe in repose?"

"I did not know I was particularly so."

"Perhaps it is only when you see me."

"I can't think why you should induce solemnity."

"Perhaps because you disapprove of me?"

"Why should I?"

"I can think of a few reasons."

"Then I don't know them."

"Don't look expectant. I am not going to tell you. I should not be so foolish as to increase your disapproval."

"The disapproval is entirely of your imaginings. How could one disapprove of someone one did not know?"

"Perhaps through ill repute."

"I know nothing of that."

"There! Now you are severe again. I feel we are getting to know each other well on this journey."

"Why should being in a train do that which all the years living as neighbours has failed to do?"

"There is something very intimate about trains."

"Is there?"

"Don't you feel it?"

"I suppose we have talked together more than we ever did before."

"There you are, you see. You can't get away from me."

"Nor you from me."

"Oh, but I don't want to."

I laughed. "I think we must be near our destination."

"Five more minutes," he said. "Alas! What a short journey it has seemed. Most enlivening. How fortunate that we had a carriage to ourselves. I will tell you something. It wasn't luck. I had the foresight to tip the guard."

"Why?"

"Obvious reasons. I thought it would be interesting to get to know each other. People would have spoilt our little tete-a-tete."

"I can't understand why you took the trouble."

"I take a lot of trouble to do what I want. Didn't I tell you that I'm a prodder?"

I was a little startled and faintly alarmed. I did not know what was in his mind. It seemed to me that he might be preparing to indulge in a little light flirtation. No doubt he thought that I was an innocent maiden ready to fall into the arms of the all-powerful lord of the manor. If Lavinia had learned little from her experience, I had learned a great deal.

I said coolly, "I can't imagine why you should wish to do so."

"I'll tell you later."

"In the meantime, here we are."

He took my case.

"I can manage, you know," I said.

"I wouldn't think of allowing you to carry it."

It seemed to me that he was taking a proprietorial attitude already.

I should have to be wary of him. He was the type of person who thought he only had to beckon to a girl and she would come running. He was Sir Fabian, rich and powerful, and his mother had made him feel—as they used to say—the little Caesar.

I tried to take my case from him, but he resisted, smiling. We walked along the platform and there was Polly waiting for me.

She stared in amazement to see me with a man, and her amazement turned to dismay when she recognized him.

I ran to her and she embraced me. "Oh, Polly," I cried, "how wonderful to see you."

"Well, it's not like a smack in the chops to me neither."

She was restrained because he was there.

"It's Sir Fabian, Polly. He kindly carried my bag."

He bowed to Polly. "Miss Delany and I met on the train."

"Did you now?" said Polly, very faintly bellicose. She had never approved of the Framlings. I knew she was thinking, Who were they when they were out? Or on trains and carrying people's bags. Up to no good, shouldn't reckon. I knew her so well that I was aware of her thoughts.

"Well, thank you, Sir Fabian," I said. "It was good of you."

"We'll get a cab and be home in a tick," said Polly.

"I shall see you home," he said. "I shall get the cab."

"There is no need ..." I began.

"But I insist." He spoke as though his word was law. It was faintly irritating. I felt an urge to snatch my case from him and tell him we did not need his help. But if I did that might betray something that I ought to hide.

I was aware of the imperious manner in which he hailed the cab and in a very short time we were on our way to the common.

I tried to chat to Polly as I should have done if he had not been there. I asked about Eff. Eff was flourishing. Doing very well. Might even take on No. 10 Maccleston if the old man living there moved out. Eff had always had her eyes open.

Neither of us mentioned the baby, but I knew Polly was longing to talk of her, as I was.

I was glad when the journey was over. He alighted and carried my bag to the door. Eff was waiting to open it. She cried out with pleasure when she saw me and then stepped back at the sight of Fabian.

He raised his hat and bowed.

"This is Sir Fabian Framling, a neighbour of mine," I explained. "I saw him on the train and he has been very helpful."

I could see she was wondering whether he should be asked in for a cup of tea and a piece of the special sultana cake she had baked for the occasion; her only hesitation was because of his title and perhaps his undeniable presence.

I said quickly, "It was kind of you, Sir Fabian. Thank you so much." With that I turned away, and he, with another bow, went back to the waiting cab.

We went inside.

"Well, I never," said Polly. "You could have knocked me down with half a feather when I saw who he was."

She shook her head; she was bothered. I would tell her as soon as I had an opportunity that there was no need for alarm.

Eff said, "I know who you'll be wanting to see. I'd have her here, but she's having her nap, and I don't want to disturb her, else there'll be ructions, eh, Poll?"