"Sir Jasper is a horrid old martineau, who never gives them any peace
at home, but is always after them."

"A martinet, I suppose you mean. I don't think that makes it any
better. I should not be happy till Magdalen knew."

"Why, no harm was done! There's her precious machine all safe! It
was just for the fun of the thing, and to try how it goes. One can't
be kept in like a blessed baby! She never has guessed it. That's
the fun of it."

"I would not return her kindness in such an unladylike way when she
is trusting you, Vera."

Did Magdalen know what had been done? She did guess, for there was a
mark on the wheel that she did not remember to have known before, and
it cost her a bitter pang of mistrust; but she abstained from
inquiries, thinking that they might only do harm. But she bought a
chain for her bicycle; and Agatha felt more shame than did Vera, who
tried to believe herself amused by her tacit sense of emancipation.



CHAPTER X--FLOWN



"Till now thy soul hath been all glad and gay,
Bid it arise and look on grief to-day."