'I feel better, much.'

'My sisters are anxious to see you again. I shouldn't wonder if
they come up this afternoon.'

Marian had seated herself on the sofa, and her hands were linked
upon her lap in the same way as when Jasper spoke with her here
before, the palms downward. The beautiful outline of her bent
head was relieved against a broad strip of sunlight on the wall
behind her.

'They deplore,' he continued in a moment, 'that they should come
to know you only to lose you again so soon.

'I have quite as much reason to be sorry,' she answered, looking
at him with the slightest possible smile. 'But perhaps they will
let me write to them, and hear from them now and then.'

'They would think it an honour. Country girls are not often
invited to correspond with literary ladies in London.'

He said it with as much jocoseness as civility allowed, then at
once rose.

'Father will be very sorry,' Marian began, with one quick glance
towards the window and then another towards the door. 'Perhaps he
might possibly be able to see you before you go?'

Jasper stood in hesitation. There was a look on the girl's face