 of a change. The very
fact that he feared and half expected it, would be sure to make this thought
rush in, in the absence of positive proof to the contrary.
    »I am having a great holiday, am I not?« said Maggie. »Lucy is like a fairy
godmother: she has turned me from a drudge into a princess in no time. I do
nothing but indulge myself all day long, and she always finds out what I want
before I know it myself.«
    »I'm sure she is the happier for having you, then,« said Philip. »You must
be better than a whole menagerie of pets to her. And you look well - you are
benefiting by the change.«
    Artificial conversation of this sort went on a little while, till Lucy,
determined to put an end to it, exclaimed, with a good imitation of annoyance,
that she had forgotten something, and was quickly out of the room.
    In a moment Maggie and Philip leaned forward, and the hands were clasped
again, with a look of sad contentment like that of friends who meet in the
memory of recent sorrow.
    »I told my brother I wished to see you, Philip - I asked him to release me
from my promise, and he consented.«
    Maggie, in her impulsiveness, wanted Philip to know at once the position
they must hold towards each other; but she checked herself. The things that had
happened since he had spoken of his love for her were so painful that she shrank
from being the first to allude to them. It seemed almost like an injury towards
Philip even to mention her brother - her brother who had insulted him. But he
was thinking too entirely of her to be sensitive on any other point at that
moment.
    »Then we can at least be friends, Maggie? There is nothing to hinder that
now?«
    »Will not your father object?« said Maggie, withdrawing her hand.
    »I should not give you up on any ground but your own wish, Maggie,« said
Philip, colouring. »There are points on which I should always resist my father,
as I used to tell you. That is one.«
    »Then there is nothing to hinder our being friends, Philip - seeing each
other and talking to each other while I am here: I shall soon go away again. I
mean to go very soon - to a new situation.«
    »Is that inevitable, Maggie?«
    »Yes: I must not stay here long. It would unfit me for the
