Wouldheevernoticeher?

Allaloneintheworld,CressidahadlittlechoicebuttoacceptAldrikvanderLinus’shelp.Hecertainlyseemedhappytofixherupwithajob,andeventoassistwithherotherday-to-daypredicaments.Yetshecouldn’thelpbutwonderwhathewoulddoifshepresentedhimwiththemostseriousproblemofall:unrequitedlove!

“Youlivehere?”gaspedCressida.“Allbyyourself?”

“Notquitebymyself,”Aldrikconceded.“Andlaterofcourse…”

“Whenyouaremarried.”HehadgottenouttoopenCressida’sdoorandhelpher,andshepresentlystoodbesidehim,lookingatthehouse.Itwaswhite-walledandgabledwithtallwindowsoneithersideoftheporch,thewindowsabovegettingsmallerandsmalleruntiltheyreachedtheroof.Therewerelightsshiningfromthedownstairsroomsand,asshelooked,someoneopenedthefrontdoorandshecouldseethehallbeyond,aglowwithsoftlamplight.

“It’sperfect,”shesaidtonooneinparticular.“Justright.”

Thedoctordidn’tsayanything,buthesmiledalittleashesweptherinside.

RomancereadersaroundtheworldweresadtonotethepassingofBettyNeelsinJune2001.Hercareerspannedthirtyyears,andshecontinuedtowriteintoherninetiethyear.Tohermillionsoffans,Bettyepitomizedtheromancewriter,andyetshebeganwritingalmostbyaccident.Shehadretiredfromnursing,butherinquiringmindstillsoughtstimulation.Hernewcareerwasbornwhensheheardaladyinherlocallibrarybemoaningthelackofgoodromancenovels.Betty’sfirstbook,SisterPetersinAmsterdam,waspublishedin1969,andsheeventuallycompleted134books.Hernovelsofferareassuringwarmththatwasverymuchapartofherownpersonality,andherspiritandgenuinetalentliveoninallherstories.

AHappyMeeting

Contents

CHAPTERONE

CHAPTERTWO

CHAPTERTHREE

CHAPTERFOUR

CHAPTERFIVE

CHAPTERSIX

CHAPTERSEVEN

CHAPTEREIGHT

CHAPTERNINE

CHAPTERONE

THEDAYHADbeenwarmforearlyOctoberbutnowthesunwaslowonthehorizonandtherewasachillybreeze.Thequietcountryroadrunningbetweenthetreeswasfullofshadows;inanhourorsoitwouldbedusk.Thegirlsittingonthegrassvergeshiveredalittleandputherarmaroundthelean,unkemptanimalbesideher:ahalf-growndoginadeplorablecondition,theropewhichhadheldhimfasttoatreestilldanglingfromhisscraggyneck.Itwaswhenshehadfoundhimnotanhourearlierandstruggledtofreehimthathehadknockedherdown.Shehadfallenawkwardlyandtwistedherankle,andgettingherselfasfarastheroadhadbeenanightmarethatshewasrelievedtohavedonewith.Nowshesat,moreorlesspatiently,hopingforhelp.Twocarshadgonepastsinceshehaddraggedherselfandthedogtotheroadbutalthoughshehadwavedandshoutedneitherofthemhadstopped.Shestudiedherankleinthedimminglight;ithadswollenalarminglyandshehadn’tbeenabletogethershoeoff;therewasnothingtodobutwaitforhelp,although,sincetheroadwasnotmuchmorethanacountrylaneconnectingtwovillages,theredidn’tseemmuchchanceofthatbeforeearlymorningwhenthefarmtractorswouldbegintheirwork.‘Wemayhavetospendthenight,’shetoldtheanimalbesideher,forthe

soundofhervoicewasacomfortofsorts,‘butI’lllookafteryou,althoughI’mnotsurehow.’Theanimalcoweredcloser;shecouldfeelitsribsagainstherside,andshegaveitasoothingpat.‘It’snicetohavecompany,anyway,’sheassuredhim.Duskhadfallenwhensheheardacarcomingandpresentlyitsheadlights

sweptoverthemasitpassed.‘That’sthat,’saidthegirl.‘Youcan’tblameanyonefornotstopping...’However,thecarwascomingback,reversingslowlyuntilitwaslevelwith

themandthenstopping.Themanwhogotoutappearedtohernervouseyestobeagiantandshefeltadistinctdesiretogetupandrun,onlyshecouldn’t.Hecametowardsherslowlyandsomehowwhenhespokehisvoicewasreassuringlyquietandcalm.‘CanIhelp?’heasked,andhisvoicewaskindtoo.‘You’rehurt?’

Hestoodforamomentlookingdownather;asmallgirlwithnolooks,toothin,buteveninthedeepeningduskhereyeswerebeautiful.‘Well,notreallyhurt,butItwistedmyankleandIcan’twalk.’Shestudied

himcarefullyandlikedwhatshesaw.Thiswasnoyoungmanoutforanevening’sridebutasoberlycladmanpasthisfirstyouth,hispalehairsilveredatthetemples.Hewasgood-lookingtoo,thoughthatdidnotmatter.‘IwouldbeverygratefulforaliftasfarasMintonCracknell;it’sonlyacoupleofmilesalongtheroad.Ilivethere.’‘Ofcourse,butmayIlookatyouranklefirst?I’madoctoranditlooksas

thoughitneedsattention.’Hesquatteddownbesideher,and,whenthedoggrowled,putoutalargehand

forthebeasttosniff.‘Wemusthavethatshoeoff,’hetoldher,andgotoutapocketknifeandcutthelaces.‘I’mgoingtohurtyou,’hesaid,anddiddespitehisgentleness.‘Goodgirl.

CatchyourbreathwhileIgetsomebandagefromthecar.’Hewasgoneandbackagainbeforeshehadhadthetimetowipeawaythe

tearsonhercheeks;shehadn’tsaidawordwhiletheshoewascomingoffbutshehadn’tbeenabletostopthetears.Hehandedherahandkerchiefwithoutawordandsaidcheerfully,‘ItwillfeelmuchbetteronceI’vestrappeditup.YouwillhavetogetitX-rayedtomorrowandrestitforadayortwo.’Hegottohisfeet.‘Thedogisyours?’heasked.‘Well,no—I—IheardhimbarkingasIcamealongtheroadandhe’dbeen

tiedtoatreeandlefttostarve;heaccidentallytrippedmeupasIwasfreeinghim...’‘Poorbeast,butluckyforhimthatyouheardhim.Willyouadopthim?’Hewastalkingidly,givinghertimetopullherselftogether.‘Well,Idon’tthinkIcan—mystepmotherdoesn’tlikedogs—butIcangive

himabedandamealandseeifthere’sanyoneinthevillage...’‘Well,let’sgetyouhome,’hesaidkindly,andscoopedherupwithawordto

thedog,whoneedednoencouragementbutclimbedintothebackofthecarafterthegirlhadbeensettledinthefrontseat.‘He’llmakeanawfulmess,’shesaidapologetically,‘andit’saBentley,isn’t

it?’Themanlookedamused.‘Idon’tsupposetherewillbeanylastingdamage,’

heobserved.‘Wheredoyouliveexactly?’‘Ifyougothroughthevillageit’sthehouseontherightbehindahighbrick

wall.It’scalledtheOldRectory.Myfatherinheriteditfromhisfather;it’sbeen

inthefamilyforyears...’Sheglancedathisprofile.‘You’vebeenverykind.’‘I’mgladthatIhappenedtopassby,Miss...?’‘Preece,CressidaPreece.’Sheaddedshyly,‘You’renotEnglish,areyou?’‘Dutch.VanderLinus—AldrikvanderLinus.’Shesaidpolitely,‘YourEnglishisquiteperfect.Oh,here’sthevillage.’Thenarrowmainstreetofthelittleplacewasempty;itwasthehourofhigh

teaandlightsshonefromwindowsastheypassedthesmallhousesliningit.‘It’sjustalonghere,pastthechurch...’Thehouseshadpeteredoutandthecar’slightstouchedonthebrickwalland

anopengate.Thedrivewasshort,endinginasmallsweepbeforeaniceoldhouse,notoverlargebutsolidlybuilt.Themangotoutbutbeforehereachedthedooritwasopenedbyasevere-lookingwomanwithiron-greyhairdrawnbackintoabun.Shehadalongthinfaceandsharp,verydarkeyes,andshewasdressedinashabbydressunderawhiteapron.Shelookedatthemanwithabelligerencewhichheignored.‘IhavebroughtMissPreecehome,’hetoldher.‘Shehasdamagedherankle.

Ifyouwilltellmewhereherroomis,Iwillcarryherindoors.Ithinkthereisnolastingdamagebutsheshouldrestitforafewdays.’Thewomandidn’tanswerhimbutbrushedpasthimandouttothecar.‘MissCressida,whathashappened?Areyouhurt?Youmustgettoyour

bed...’Thegirlspokematter-of-factly,‘Moggy,dear,I’mquiteallright,justsprained

anankle.Mother’snotback?’Therewasahintofanxietyinhervoice,andtheman,whohadcometostandbythecar,frowned.‘No,thankthelord.We’llgetyouindoors.’Moggyheardafaintgrowlfrom

thebackseatandexclaimed‘What’sthat—ananimal...?’‘Adog,Moggy.Ifoundhimtiedtoatree.We’llhavetohidehimtonightand

tomorrowI’llgotothevillageandtryandfindahomeforhim.’Cressidaundidherseatbelt.‘Hemusthaveameal,he’sstarved.’‘She’llnotallowit.We’llgetyoutoyourroomandI’llfeedhimandtakehim

downtooldMrFellowsandaskifhewillkeepthebeastinhisshed...’‘ItmightbeadvisabletogetMissPreeceuptoherbed,’saidthemangently,

‘andsinceIgatherthedogisnotwelcomehereI’lltakehimwithme.I’mgoingintoYeovil;there’sagoodvetthere.’‘Avet?’saidCressidasharply.‘He’snottobeputtosleep...’

‘Certainlynot.Andnow,ifImay,I’llcarryyouindoorsandperhapswhenwehaveyousettledthisanimalmightbegivenasmallmeal.’Andatherlookofdoubt,‘Igiveyoumywordthathe’llbeproperlylookedafter.’HehadspokenquietlybutMoggystoodbackwithoutawordandallowedhimtoliftCressidafromthecarandcarryherintothehouse.‘Upthestairs,’shetoldhimgruffly,‘anddownthatpassagebeyondthe

landing.’Hewentupthewideoakstaircaseunhurriedly,carryingCressidawithno

effort,andwaitedwhileMoggywentaheadofthemandopenedadoorattheendofthepassage.TheroomwassmallandplainlyfurnishedandDrvanderLinusfrowned

again,foritseemedtohimthatitwasaroomsuitabletoaservant,notthedaughterofthehouse.Helaidhergentlyonthebedandstoopedtotakealookattheankle.‘Isuggestthatyoutakeacoupleofparacetamolbeforeyousettleforthe

night,’heobserved,‘andbesureandgetyourdoctortocomeandlookatitinthemorning.Hemaywishtore-strapitandgiveyouinstructionsastotreatment.Youwillneedtokeepoffyourfeetforafewdaysbuthewilldowhatisnecessary.’Hestoodlookingdownather.‘Haveyouparacetamol?Taketwoassoonaspossiblewithadrink.’Hetookherhandinhislargeone.‘Amostunfortunateaccident,butyouwill

bequiteallrightagainveryshortly.Anddon’tworryaboutthedog,I’llseethatitcomestonoharm.Goodbye,MissPreece.’Shedidn’twanthimtogo;asensiblegirl,inuredtoacceptingwhatlifehadto

offerher,shewishedverymuchthathewouldstay.Butthat,ofcourse,wasimpossible;hewasacompletestrangerwhohadhappenedtoturnupjustwhenhewasmostneeded.Thenshethankedhiminapolitevoicetightwithpainandwatchedhisvastbackgothroughthedoorwithregret.Atleastthedogwouldbesafeandherstepmotherhadbeenawayfromhome.Shecomfortedherselfwiththat.DrvanderLinustrodslowlydownthestaircasewithMoggyleadingtheway.

Inthehallhestoodstill.‘YouwilllookafterMissPreece?Sheisinagooddealofpain,butgetherintobedwithawarmdrinkandtheparacetamolandsheshouldsleep.Herowndoctorwillprescribewhathethinksfit.’Hesmileddownatthesevereface.‘CouldIbotheryouforsomewaterforthedog,andperhapsasliceofbread?’Andathernod,‘MayIknowyourname?’‘Mogford—Miss,butMissCressyalwayscallsmeMoggy,sinceshewas

knee-high.’Shewentaheadofhim.‘I’vesomesouponthestove;perhapsadropofthatwoulddothebeastsomegood,thenI’llgoandseetoMissCressy.’Sheledthewayintothekitchenandpouredsoupintoabowlandbrokesome

breadintoit.‘Youwon’tbelong?’sheaskedanxiously.‘MrsPreecedoesn’tholdwithanimals.It’samercythatshe’sout...there’llbeafussenoughoverMissCressy.’‘Yes.I’msureyourmistresswillbeupset,’observedDrvanderLinus

smoothly.‘Upset?Oh,she’llbeupset,allright.’Sheglancedattheclock.‘She’llbe

backintwentyminutesorso,you’dbesthurry.’DrvanderLinus’seyebrowsrosebutallhesaidwas,‘I’llbeveryquick.Shall

Ileavethebowlbehindabushforyoutocollectlater?’Hiscompanionnodded.‘Thankyouforyourtrouble.You’vebeenmostkind.’Sheshutthefrontdooruponhimandhewenttothecar,letthedogoutwhile

itateanddrankhungrilyandthenushereditbackin.HehaddrivenacoupleofmilesandwasalmostatTemplecombewhenacarflashedpasthim.Therewasawomandriving.ProbablyMrsPreece,hereflectedasheturnedofftheroadtotaketheshortcuttoYeovilandthevet.Thatgentleman,rousedfromhiscomfortablechairbythefire,peeredatthe

dogstandingdejectedlyontheendofitsrope.‘MydearAldrik,whatonearthhaveyouhere?’‘Adog,John.Ihaveacquiredhimfromhisrescuerwhoisunabletoofferfood

andshelter.FoundtiedtoatreeontheothersideofMintonCracknell.’‘Wantmetohavealook?He’sinprettypoorshape.’Hepattedthedog’s

mattedhead.‘Ididn’tknowyouwereoverhere.StayingwithLadyMerrill?Youmustcomeanddineoneeveningbeforeyougoback.’Heledthewaythroughthehouseandoutagainintoayardatthebacktohis

surgery.‘Howistheoldlady?’‘Insplendidform.Heryearssitlightlyonher.’Heheavedthereluctantdogon

totheexaminationtable,gentlinghimwithasteadyhand.‘Overhereonholidayordoingsomework?’‘Oh,alittleofboth.I’vehadaweekinEdinburgh;I’mgoingontoBristolto

giveaseriesoflecturesandthenbacktoLondonbeforeIgohome.’‘Well,dinewithusbeforeyouleave.Mollywillbedisappointedifyoudon’t.

Howaboutoneeveningnextweek?Anyevening,takepotluck.’‘Ishouldlikethat.MayIgiveyouaring?’Thevetwasbendingoverthedog.‘Hehasn’tanythingbrokenasfarasIcan

see.Halfstarved—morethanhalf—andill-treated—lookatthesesores.Doyouwantmetogethimfit,or...?’‘Gethimfit,willyou?Ipromisedhisrescuer;adabofagirlwithhugebrown

eyes.’Johnlookedup.‘YousayhewasfoundnearMintonCracknell?Thatwouldbe

CressidaPreece.Shebroughtmeacatamonthortwoago—inabadway,paidtohavehercuredofburns,quitenastyonesasaresultofsomelouttyingasquibtohertail.She’sstillpayingme,abitatatime.’‘Andyetshelivesinapleasanthouse...?’‘YesbutIfancyherlifeisn’taspleasant.Herfatherdiedsomemonthsago;

sheliveswithherstepmother.Unfortunatelyhelefteverythingtoherundertheimpression,onepresumes,thatshewouldprovideforhisdaughter.’DrvanderLinusstrokedthetremblingdog’shead.‘Surelyinthisdayandage

thegirlcanleavehomeandgetajob?’‘Onewouldthinkso,thoughIdon’timagineshe’strainedforanything.What

shallIdo?Getthisbeastfitandletherknow?’‘No.I’vetakenratherafancytohim.I’lltakehimwithmewhenIgobackto

Holland.MayIleavehimwithyou?MygrandmotherwillbewonderingwhereIhavegotto.’‘Givemearinginthemorning,andwe’llseehowheisaftersomefoodanda

night’ssleep.’Thedoctorgotbackintohiscaranddroveawayfromthetown,goingnorth

andpresentlyturningintoamazeofside-roadswhichbroughthimeventuallytoasmallvillagelyingbetweenhillycountry.Itwasindeedasmallplace,withachurch,ahandfulofcottages,andahandsomevicarage,ashopandaduckpond.Hedrovethroughitbeforeturninginbetweenred-brickpillarssurmountedbyweatherbeatenlionsandfollowingadrivebetweenthickundergrowth.Itendedinawidegravelsweepbeforeared-brickhouseoftheQueenAnneperiod,lightstreamingfromitswindowsandringedaroundbytrees.DrvanderLinus,gettingoutofhiscar,thoughthowwelcomingitwas.Thedoorwasopenedashereacheditandadignifiedoldman,rathershakyonhislegs,wishedhimagoodeveningandofferedtheinformationthatLadyMerrillwasinthesmalldrawing-room.‘I’mlate,Baxter—Igotheldup.Givemetenminutesbeforeyouservedinner,

willyou?’Heclappedtheoldmangentlyontheshouldersandcrossedthehalltooneoftheopendoors.Theroomwasapleasantone,alittleold-fashionedbutlightandairywith

somerathermassivefurnitureandthicklycarpeted.ThedoctorcrossedtoachairbythefireandtheoldladysittinginitturnedasmilingfacetohimastwoPekinesedogshurriedtomeethim.Hebenttopatthembeforestoopingtokisshisgrandmother.‘Myapologiesforbeinglate,mydear.Iwasunexpectedlydelayed.’‘Didthelecturenotgowell?’‘Oh,verywell.Iwasforcedtostoponmyway...’‘Pouryourselfadrinkandtellmeaboutit.’Whichhedid.‘Wasshepretty,thisgirl?’‘Pretty?Totellyouthetruth,Ican’trememberhowshelooked.Shehadnice

eyesandaverypleasantvoice.’Hesoundedindifferentandpresentlytheytalkedofotherthings.Hedidn’tthinkofthegirlagain.Cressida,withMissMogford’shelp,hadgotherselfintobed.Heranklehurt

abominablybuttheparacetamolwasbeginningtotakeeffect.Moggyhadarrangedasmallfootstoolinthebedsothatherfootwasfreeofthebedclothesandperhapsbythemorningitwouldbebetter.Stayinginbedwasaluxuryherstepmotherdisapprovedof.Hopefullyshewouldn’tcomehomeuntillateandneedknownothingaboutituntilthemorning.ShedranktheteaMissMogfordbroughtherandwasurgedtogotosleep,andshedidasshewasbid.ShewasawakenedhalfanhourlaterbytheentranceofMrsPreece,awomanwhoinheryouthhadbeenenchantinglyprettyandnowinmiddleage,bydintofdietingruthlessly,goingtothebesthairdresserssothatheroncegoldenhairshouldshownohintofgrey,usingeveryaidtobeautywhichcaughthereyeintheglossymagazinesshefavouredandwearingthefloatingdraperieswhichgaveherthelookofhelplessfemininitywhichhidanatureascoldandhardassteel,preservedtheillusionofsweetnessofcharacter.‘WhatisallthisnonsenseIhearfromMissMogford?’shewantedtoknow.

‘Andwhyareyouinbed?It’sbarelynineo’clock?Really,Cressida,Ihardlyexpectahealthygirloffourandtwentytolollaroundlikethis.’Cressida,usedtoherstepmother’smannertowardsher,satupinbed.‘I’min

bedbecauseIcan’tstandonmyfootandit’sverypainful.Idaresayitwillbeallrightbythemorning.’‘Ithadbetterbe—I’vetheWorthingtonscomingtodinnerandIwantthe

flowersdoneandthesilverepergneproperlypolished.’Shesighedheavily.‘I’veasplittingheadache;Iwasforcedtocomeawayearlyfromtheparty.IshallgotobedandcanonlyhopethatMissMogfordwillsparethetimetobringmeahotdrinkandrunmybath.’

ShewentawaywithoutsayinggoodnightandCressidawriggleddownintoherbedagain,wideawakenowandawarethatheranklewashurting.Itwastoosoontotakeanymoreparacetamol.Shetuggedherpillowsintocomfortandallowedherthoughtstoroam.Themanwhohadbroughtherhomehadbeennice;notjustnice,hehad

treatedher...shesoughtforwords—asthoughshemattered;andsincesheknewonlytoowellthatherlookswerenegligibleshehadappreciatedthat.Hehadbeensurprisedwhenhe’dseenherroom,shehadnoticedthatatonce,butsinceshewasn’tgoingtoseehimagainshedidn’tthinkthatmattered.Sheknewthatthefewfriendsshehadinthevillagewereatalosstounderstandwhyshestayedathomewhenitwassoobviousthatshewasn’twelcometherenowthatherfatherwasdead.ShehadnevertoldanyonethatshestayedtherebecauseofMoggy.Moggyhadnohomeofherown;shehadworkedallherlifeforCressida’sparents,neverabletosavebecauseshehadamarriedsisterwhosehusbandhadbecomeparalysedsoonaftertheyhadmarriedandhadlivedformanyyears,ahelplesswreck,hislifemadebearablebytheextrasMoggy’searningshadhelpedtobuy.Nowatfifty-eightyears,shehadtwomoreyearsbeforeshecoulddrawherpensionandreceivetheannuityMrPreecehadlefther.UntilthentherewasnothingelseshecoulddobutstaywithMrsPreece,sincethatladyhadledhertounderstandthatunlesssheremainedinheremployuntilhersixtiethbirthdayherannuitywouldbecancelled.SinceMissMogford,forallhersevereappearance,wasafraidthatnooneelsewouldemployherinanycase,and,overandabovethat,hadsetherheartongoingtolivewithhernowwidowedsisterwhereshewouldenjoyasnugretirement,shestayedon,managingthehousewiththehelpofgirlsfromthevillageandCressida.ItwasonlybecauseCressidaunderstoodMoggy’ssituationthatshestayed.Twoyears,shetoldherselfrepeatedly,wouldsoonpass,andonceMoggywassafelyensconcedwithhersistersheherselfwouldfeelfreetogoaway.Shehadnoideawhatshewoulddo,shehadn’tbeentrainedforanythingbutshewashandyaboutthehouseandeveninthisdayandagetherewereoldladieswhoneededcompanions.Aroofoverherheadandsomemoneytospendwasallsheexpecteduntilshehadfoundherfeet.Itwasagreatpitythatherfather,thatmosttrustingofmen,hadleft

everythingtoherstepmother,undertheimpressionthatshewouldgiveCressidaanallowance.Insteadofthat,MrsPreecehadlostnotimeinmakingitquiteclearthatthatwasoutofthequestion.CressidawouldhavetohelpMissMogfordandinreturnshewouldbeclothedandfedandbegivenpocketmoney.

Cressida,afteranumberofindignantprotests,hadhadeveryintentionofleaving,onlytobestymiedbybeingtoldofMoggy’ssituation.Shehadplentyofcommonsense,addedtowhichshewasagirlofspirit,butMoggyhadbeenafaithfulandlovingemployeeandapleasantretirementwasalmostwithinhergrasp.Cressidastayedandthosewhoknewherthoughtsilentlythatsheshouldhaveshownmorespirit.Sheconfidedinnoone,evenherclosestfriends,andsinceMrsPreecewas

alwayscharminglymaternaltowardsherwhentherewasanyonearoundtheybegantothinkthatCressidalikedthewayshelived.Shewasalwayscheerfulandshowednoenvywhenfriendsbecameengagedorgotthemselvesgoodjobsawayfromthevillage,andtheyweren’ttoknowofthelonghoursshespentplanningherfuture.Shedidn’tbrood,forshedespisedself-pity,butnowandthenshewishedthatshehadevenamodicumofgoodlooks;aprettyface,shewassure,wouldbeagreathelpingettingajob.Shedozedoff,towakeinthenightfromthethrobbingofherankle.Moggycametoseehowshewasinthemorning,tookonelookatherwhite

faceandtoldhertostaywhereshewas.‘Ican’t,’saidCressida,‘therearetheflowerstoarrangeandsomesilverto

polish.’Sosayingshegotoutofbed,setherinjuredfootflooranddidsomethingshehadneverdonebeforeinherlife.Shefainted.MoggypickedherupandputheronthebedandmarcheddowntoMrs

Preece’sbedroom.Regardlessofthefactthatitwasstilltwohoursshortofherusualentrywithatrayoftea,sherousedhermistressbriskly.‘MissCressida’sfainted,onaccountofhertryingtogetupbecauseyoutold

herto,’saidMissMogfordwithasnap.‘You’dbestgetthedoctortoher.’MrsPreecesatupinbed.‘Forasprainedankle?Probablyshe’sonly

wrencheditbadly.Certainlynot,butIsupposeshe’dbetterstayinbedforthetimebeing.WhatanuisancethisisandnowIshallhaveaheadachebeingwakenedsoabruptly.Really,youmightconsidermynerves.’Shesankbackonherpillows.‘Goawayandbringmyteaattheusualtime.’MissMogfordwentaway,mutteringdarklytoherselfoncethedoorwasshut.

Thingscouldn’tgoonlikethis;somethingwouldhavetobedone,althoughshehadnoideawhatitwas.ShewenttothekitchenandmadeapotofteaandboreitupstairstoCressida’sroomandshareditwithher.Itwashotandstrong,and,lulledbytheparacetamol,Cressidafeltbetter.‘Icouldgetup,’shesuggested,‘ifIhadastick...’‘Nonsense,you’lldonosuchthing.Thatnicedoctorwhobroughtyouhome

wouldbeveryannoyedifheknew.’‘Hedoesn’tknow,’saidCressida,andfeltapangofregretbecauseofthat.She

wasasensiblegirl,concealingaromanticnaturebeneathherordinaryappearance;nogoodwouldcomeofwantingsomethingshecouldn’thave.ShecontrivedtowashwithMoggy’said,brushedherhair,whichwaslongandmousy,andplaiteditandsetaboutpersuadingMoggytobringthesilverepergneupstairs.‘Withanoldnewspaper,’sheurged,‘andthepolishandcloths.Icandoiteasilyanditwillkeepmeoccupied.’‘Allright,’Moggywasgrudging,‘butonlywhenyou’vehadyourbreakfast.’‘I’mnothungry...’‘You’lleatwhatIbringyou,’saidMoggy.

***

DRVANDERLinuswasupearly,towalkinthegardenwiththedogsandenjoythecrispsunshineofthemorning.Hehadsleptsoundlybuthewasawareofuneasiness;althoughhecouldbarelyrememberwhatthegirlhehadhelpedonthepreviouseveninglookedlike,hewasunabletoshakeoffthefeelingthatheoughttodosomethingabouther.Hehadn’tlikedthevagueairofdisquietwhichsheandthewomanwhoadmittedthemhadhadandhehadbeenpuzzledatthebarelittleroomwhichwassurelyunsuitableforadaughterofthehouse.Thehousekeeperhadbeenanxiousforhimtoleave,too.Hewentindoorstohisbreakfast.Itmightbeagoodideatogetthenameof

thelocaldoctorandgivehimaring;ontheotherhand,thatsmackedofofficiousness.Hesighedandpouredhimselfsomemorecoffee.Itwouldbebetterifheweretocallandenquire.HewastolunchwithfriendsatCastleCaryandneednotgomuchoutofhisway.Hewentupstairstohisgrandmother’sroompresently.Shewassittingupin

bed,herbreakfastonatraybeforeher.‘Comeinandfinishthistoast,’shebeggedhim.‘MrsWiffinhasthispassion

forfeedingmeup!Aren’tyougoingovertoCastleCarytotheColliers’?IsJennyathome?’Hesmiledslowly.‘Matchmaking,Grandmother?Idon’tknowifshe’sat

home.Inanycase...’Hepaused.‘ItistimeImarried,butnotJenny.’‘You’vefoundthegirl?’askedLadyMerrilleagerly.‘I’mnotsure.She’sverysuitable.HernameisNicolavanGermert—you’ve

mether.ThedaughterofoneoftheprofessorsatLeidenUniversity.Weknowall

thesamepeopleandshareasimilarlifestyle.’LadyMerrillbitintohertoast.‘Notgoodreasonsformarriage,mydear,but

you’reoldenoughandwiseenoughtoknowwhatyouwant.Mostmenwantloveaswell,’sheaddeddrily.Hegotup.‘Well,Isupposewearen’tallluckyenoughtofindit.Willyoube

athomeatteatime?Wecansitinthegarden,ifit’swarmenough,andgossip.’Hebenttokisshercheek.‘StayingherewithyouissomethingIalwayslookforwardto.’‘SodoI,mydear.Butyouwouldbelostwithoutyourwork.Don’tyoumiss

thehospitalsandclinicsandpatients?’‘Oh,yes,verymuch.Theyarethemostimportantthingsinmylife,

Grandmother.’‘Partofyourlife,Aldrik.Nowrunalongandenjoyyourself.’Atthedoorheturned.‘IthoughtI’dcallinonmywayandseehowthatgirlis

gettingon.Imustfindoutaboutthedogtooandletherknow.’‘Thatwouldbekind.’LadyMerrillwatchedhisvastbackdisappearthrough

herdoor.Shelookedthoughtful.Consideringthegirlwassouninterestingthathecouldn’trememberwhatshelookedlikeAldrikwasbeingverykind.But,ofcourse,hewasakindman.HedroveawayintheBentleypresently.MintonCracknellwasn’tallthat

distanceawaybuttherewasnodirectroadtoit.HeneededtogoconsiderablyoutofhiswaytoreachitbutsinceitwaslessthantenmilestoCastleCaryfromthereandformostofthewayamainroadhewouldhavetimetomakehiscall.Thehouselookedpleasantenoughashegotoutofthecarbutthe

housekeeper’sfaceborealookofgloomyindignation.Thedoctorwasusedtodealingwitheverykindofperson;his‘goodmorning’wasbrisklyfriendlywithstrongovertonesofauthority.‘I’vecalledtoenquireafterMissPreece.I’monmywaytofriendsandhadto

passthedoor.’‘She’sinbedbutthatankle’sthatswollen,Idon’tlikethelookofit...’‘Thedoctoriscalling?’Sheshookherhead,speakingsoftly.‘MrsPreecesaysit’snotnecessary.’‘PerhapsImighthaveawordwithher?Iknowitisn’tmybusinessbut

perhapsImightpersuadeher.’MissMogford’ssternvisagecrumpled.‘Oh,sir,ifyouwould.Idon’tknow

whattodo...’Shestoodasidetoallowhimtoenterandlefthiminthehallwhileshewentto

findMrsPreece.Shecamebackpresently.‘Ifyou’dcomethisway,sir...’MrsPreecewassittingbyabrisklyburningfire,atrayofcoffeebesideher,

andshedidn’tgetoutofherchair.‘Youmustforgivemefornotgettingup,’shesaidinasmallplaintivevoice.

‘I’mnotverystrong.IunderstandthatyouweresokindastobringCressidahomeyesterday.Dositdown—itismostkindofyoutocalltoo.’ShesaidsharplytoMissMogfordhoveringatthedoor,‘Bringsomemorecoffee,willyou?Thisiscold...’Thedoctorsat,acceptedthecoffeewhenitcame,listenedwithapparent

sympathytohishostess’slightvoicedescribingvariousaspectsofherillhealth,putdownhiscupandsaidinagentlevoice,‘Ishouldliketoseeyourstepdaughter’sankle;justtocheckonthestrapping.ShewillbegoingforanX-raysometimetoday,Iexpect?’MrsPreecegaveatinklinglaugh.‘Goodheavens,no,Doctor,it’sonlya

sprain.Sheshouldbeupandaboutinnotime.Sovexingthatsheshouldhavetostayinbedbutshehasneverfaintedbefore,thesillygirl.AndIhaveguestsfordinnerthiseveningtoo.’‘Butyouhavenoobjectiontomyseeingher?’askedthedoctor,and

somethinginhisvoicemadehershrughershouldersandgiveareluctantconsent.‘Doencouragehertogetup—shewillbemuchbetteronherfeet,willshe

not?’MrsPreecegavehimacharmingsmile,herheadalittleononeside.Really,shethought,hewassogood-lookingandcharmingthatonewouldagreetoanythingthathemightsay.‘No,shewouldbemuchworse,’saidDrvanderLinus.Hespokewithsuch

calmcharmthatshedidn’trealisethathehadcontradictedherflatly.‘Well,MissMogfordshalltakeyoutoherroom,’saidMrsPreece,‘Ifindthe

stairstrying—Ihavetobecareful.’Shesoundedwistfulandlong-sufferingandifsheexpectedthedoctorto

enquiresympatheticallyastothereasonshewastobedisappointed.MissMogford,summoned,ledhimupthestairsinsilence.OnlyatCressida’s

doorshepausedtolookathim.Shestillsaidnothing,thoughshetappedonthedoorandopeneditforhimtogointotheroom.Cressidawassittingupinbed,hersmallpersonsurroundedbysheetsof

newspaperuponwhichrestedthesilverepergnewhichshewaspolishing.Therewasnothingbeautifulabouther;herhairhunginitslongplaitoveroneshoulder,

herface,un-made-up,shonewithherexertions,andshehadasmearononecheekandbothhandsweregrimedwithsilverpolish.Thedoctor,akindman,eyedherwithmuchthesamefeelingswhichhewouldhavedisplayedifhehadencounteredakittenorapuppyinneedofhelp.His,‘Goodmorning,MissPreece,’wasutteredwithimpersonalcourtesy,and,

sinceshewasstaringathim,open-mouthed,hesaid,‘IhappenedtobepassingandfeltthattheleastIcoulddowastoenquireaboutyourankle.’Cressidashuthermouthwithasnap.Shesaidpolitely,‘Howkindofyou.I’m

fine,thankyou.’Shegavehimasmallsmile.‘Isn’titalovelymorning?’‘Splendid.MayIlookatyourankle?Itisofcourse,noneofmybusiness,but

IfeelthatitshouldbeX-rayed.’‘Well,I’mnotsure,’beganCressida,tobetoldbyMoggytohush.‘Thedoctorknowsbest,’saidthatladysternly.‘Justyouliestill,Miss

Cressida,andlethimtakealook.’Thedoctorbenthisgreatheightandexaminedtheankle.Whenhehadlooked

hisfillhestraightenedupagain.‘I’mnotyourdoctorsoIcandoverylittletohelpyou,butIwilldomybesttoadviseyourstepmothertoallowthedoctortoseeyou.Itisanastysprain.Itwillgetbetterquicklyenough,though,provideditreceivestherighttreatment.’‘Andifitdoesn’t?’askedCressidainamatter-of-factvoice.‘Youwillhobblearoundforalongtime—apainfultimetoo.’‘Well,thankyou.Itwasverykindofyoutocome.Isupposeyoudon’tknow

whathappenedtothatpoordog?’‘Heneedsonlygoodfoodandrestandgoodcare.’Hesmileddownather.‘I

shalltakehimbackwithmewhenIgotoHolland.’Herordinaryfacewastransformedbydelight.‘Oh,howabsolutelysuper!I’m

surehe’llbeaveryhandsomebeastwhenhe’sfullygrown.’Thedoctorconcealedhisdoubtsadmirably.‘Ihavenodoubtofthat.’Heputoutahandandengulfedhersinitsfirmgrasp.‘You’llhavetowashyourhand,’saidCressidainhersensibleway,‘it’s

coveredinpolish.’Andthensheadded,‘Ihopeyouhaveagoodjourneyhome.’Afterhehadgoneshesatinherbed,theepergneforgotten,feelinglonelyand

somehowbereft.BeyondregisteringhisopinionthatCressidashouldhaveherankleX-rayed,

thedoctordidn’twastetimewithMrsPreece.Hepleadedanurgentengagementanddroveaway.Inthevillagehestopped,enquiredastowherethedoctorlivedandpresented

himselfatthesurgerydoor.DrBraddockwasonthepointofleavingonhisrounds.‘VanderLinus...’hesaid.‘Iknowthatname.Youwroteanarticleinthe

Lancetlastmonthaboutneutropenia—amostinterestingtheory.Comein,comein,I’mdelightedtomeetyou.’‘I’vebeenpoachingonyourpreserves,’saidDrvanderLinus.‘IfImight

explain...’DrBraddockheardhimout.‘I’llgothismorning.Iknow—weallknow—that

thingsaren’trightattheOldRectory.LittleCressidaisadearchildbutonecannotinterfere—thoughIwilldomybesttogetherintohospitalforafewdaysforshewillneverbeabletogettheproperrestsheneedsifsheisathome...’‘ItputsmeinmindofCinderellaandherstepmother,’observedDrvander

Linus.DrBraddocknodded.‘Ridiculous,isn’tit,inthisdayandage?Thereis

obviouslysomereasonwhichiskeepingCressidaathomebutsheisn’tgoingtotellanyonewhatitis.’DrvanderLinuswentonhiswaypresently;hewasgoingtobelateforlunch

attheColliers’.Asindeedhewas,buthewasanoldfriendandreadilyforgivenandmoreoverJennywasanamusingcompanion.HetoldhimselfthathehaddoneallthathecouldforCressidaPreece;shewasagrownwomanandshouldbecapableofarrangingherownlife.Onhiswaybacktohisgrandmother’shousehereflectedthatshehadseemed

quitecontentwithherlot.Probablythingswouldimprove.Hefrowned,awarethathewasfindingitdifficulttoforgether.‘Whichisabsurd,’hemuttered.‘Ican’tevenrememberwhatshelookslike.’

CHAPTERTWO

CRESSIDA,PUTTINGAfinalpolishonthetablesilver,wasastonishedwhenMoggyopenedthedoortoadmitDrBraddock.Hewishedthemagoodmorning,pattedherontheshoulderandsignifiedhis

intentionofexaminingherankle.‘Howeverdidyouknowaboutit?’askedCressidaandtriednottowinceashe

proddeditgently.‘DrvanderLinusverycorrectlyinformedme.Howfortunatethatheshould

havefoundyou,mydear.Icouldn’tbetterthestrappingmyselfbutyoumusthaveitX-rayed.I’vegotmycaroutside.I’llrunyouintoYeovilnowandgetitdone...’‘Mustyou?Imean,Stepmother’sgotadinnerpartythisevening...’‘Thereisnoneedforhertocomewithyou,’saidDrBraddocktestily.He

turnedtoMissMogford.‘Doyousupposewecouldgiveherachairdownstairs?Justgetherintoadressing-gown.’‘HowshallIgetbackhere?’askedCressidasensibly.‘Well,Ihavetocomehome,don’tI?’Hewenttothedoor.‘I’llgoandsee

yourstepmotherwhileMissMogfordgetsyouready,anddon’twastetime.’‘Thesilver,’saidCressidaurgently,watchingMoggybundlingitup,‘Ihaven’t

quitefinishedit.’‘Pooh,’saidMissMogford,‘that’sofnoimportance.Here’syourdressing-

gown.’DoctorBraddockcamebackpresentlyandbetweenthemheandMiss

MogfordcarriedCressidadowntothehallandoutofthedoor,intohiscar.MrsPreececameafterthem,onthevergeoftears.‘WhatamItodo?’sheaskedpathetically.‘There’sthetabletoarrangeandthedrinksandtheflowerstodo.Really,Cressida,Idothinkyou’rebeingveryselfish...’Nooneansweredher.ThedoctorandMoggyweretoooccupiedinconveying

CressidaaspainlesslyaspossibleandCressidawasgrittingherteethagainstthepain.DrBraddockdroveoffandassoonasshehadcontrolofhervoiceagainshe

asked,‘Theywon’tkeepmelong?IreallyshouldgetbacktohelpasquicklyasI

can.IfIcouldbebackbylunchtime?You’reawfullykindhavinggivenmealift,DrBraddock,butIexpectyouhavetocomebackhomeforlunch.’Shewasn’tbackforlunch,however;insteadshefoundherselfinoneofthe

side-wards,comfortablyinbedwithacradleovertheinjuredankleandtheprospectofseveraldays’rest.‘Ireallycan’t,’sheexplainedtothecheerfulhousedoctorwhocametoseeher

aftershewaswarded.‘Ihaven’tanythingwithmeandthereisagreatdealImustdoathome...’‘Well,ifyoudon’trestthatfootforafewdaysyouwon’tbedoinganythingat

allathomeoranywhereelse.DrBraddockisgoingtocallandseeyourstepmotheronhiswayhome.Idaresayshewillcomeandseeyouandbringyouanythingyouneed.’Theverylastthingthatladywoulddo,buttherewasnopointinsayingso.

Cressidamurmuredsuitablyandsincethebedwascomfortableandshehadhadanirksomemorningsheclosedhereyesandtookanap.MissMogfordcamethatevening,carryingasmallholdallwithwhatshe

considerednecessaryforCressida’scomfortwhileshewasinhospital.Cressidawasdelightedtoseeher,butworriedtoo.‘Moggy,howeverdidyou

getaway?It’sthedinnerpartytoo...isStepmotherverycross?’‘Livid,’saidMissMogford,succinctly,‘butDrBraddockwasquitesharpwith

her,toldhershewasresponsibleforyouandIdon’tknowwhatelse—Ijusthappenedtobepassingthroughthehallandthedoorwasn’tquiteclosed—sowhenhe’dgoneshephonedacateringfirmandthey’retherenow,seeingtoeverything.ShetoldmetobringyouwhatyouneededhereandIgotthebaker’svantobringme.’‘Howwillyougetback?’‘Thevan’sgoingbackinanhour—thedriver’sgotthedayofftomorrow.’‘Idon’tknowhowlongI’mherefor...’‘IheardDrBraddocksayacoupleofdays,soyouhaveanicerest,Miss

Cressida,andyou’llhavetotakethingseasywhenyoucomehome.’‘Ismystepmotherveryannoyed?’‘Well,she’sputout,’saidMissMogford,utteringtheunderstatementofa

lifetime.ItwassurprisingwhattwodaysatthehospitaldidforCressida.Ofcourse

therewerethepainfulphysiotherapysessions,butforagooddealofeachdayshesat,theinjuredanklerestingonastool,readingthediscardedmagazinesandnewspapersoftheotherpatients,racingthroughtheromanticfictionthelady

fromthehospitallibrarywaskindenoughtobringher.Shedidn’tturnupherunassumingnoseatthefoodeither;bytheendoftheseconddayshehadcolourinhercheeksandhadputonamuch-neededpoundortwo.Itwasafterbreakfastonthefollowingmorningthattheorthopaedicregistrar

cametotellherthatshewasfitenoughtogohome.‘Youmustwearanelasticstockingforacoupleofweeksandkeepoffyourfeetasmuchaspossible,andmindyouresttheankleproperly.Sisterphonedyourstepmotherandsheassuresusthatyouwillbewelllookedafter.We’llarrangeforthehospitalcarservicetopickyouupaftermiddaydinnertoday.’Cressidathankedhimandreflectedthatwithastockingandastickshewould

beabletomanagewellenough.Indeed,shewouldhaveto...Shewassittingdressedandreadytoleave,heranklerestingonthestool

beforeher,whenthedooropenedandDrvanderLinuswalkedin.Hisgreetingwasgenial.‘Ihadtohaveawordwithsomeonehereandthought

Iwouldcallandseehowyouaregettingon.Ihearyou’regoinghome?’‘Yes.I’mwaitingfortransport.I’mquitebetteragain.’Shegavehimasteady

smile.‘I’mmostgratefulforeverythingyoudidforme.’‘Thinknothingofit.I’mgoingpastyourhome;I’lltakeyouifyou’rereadyto

go.JustletmehaveawordwithSister...’Hehadgonebeforeshecouldanswer.OnthewaybackhetoldherthathewasgoingtoLondononthefollowingday

andthenbacktoHolland.‘Idon’texpecttobebackhereforsometime,’hetoldher,andthencasually,‘Haveyouanyplansforyourfuture?’‘No,none,’saidCressidableakly.Herlookwassad.‘Atleastnotforsome

time.’‘Ah,well,’saidthedoctoreasily,‘Idaresayyouhaveyourreasonsforstaying

athome.’‘Yes,Ihave.Whatwillhappentothedogwhileyou’reinLondon?’Heacceptedthechangeofsubjectwithoutdemur.‘He’stostayatthevet’s.I

willcollecthimwhenIleaveEngland.Helooksquitehandsome,youknow,althoughI’mnotquitesurewhatheis.He’syoungstill,aboutsixmonths,andstillgoingtogrow.’‘You’llhaveroomforhimatyourhome?’‘Oh,yes.’Hestoppedinfrontofherhouseandgotouttohelpher.‘Thankyouverymuch,’shesaid.‘Wouldyouliketocomeinandseemy

stepmother?’Thedoctorsmiledalittle;itwasobviousthatshehopedthathewouldrefuse.

‘Whynot?’hesaidcheerfully,andtookherarm.‘Useyourstick,’hecounselled

her,and,‘Putyourweightonyourgoodfootandforheaven’ssakedon’tstandabout;sitwhenyoucanandkeepyourfootup.’MissMogfordhadbeenonthewatchforCressida’sreturn.Sheopenedthe

doorwide,andherseverefeaturessoftenedintoasmile.‘There,that’sbetter.Mygoodness,acoupleofdaysinhospitalhavedoneyouapowerofgood,MissCressy—Iswearyou’veputonapoundortwo.’‘Ismystepmotherin?’askedCressida.‘I’msureDrvanderLinus—’TherestofherwordswerelostinMrsPreece’svoice,‘Isthatyou,Cressida?

Andabouttimetoo.AllthisrubbishI’vebeenhearingaboutthisankleofyours...’Ahalf-opendoorwasthrustopenandshecameintothehall,caughtsightofthedoctor’svastpersonandwentonsmoothly,‘Youpoorchild,haveyouhadalotofpain?Ididn’tcometovisityouforyouknowhowsensitiveIamaboutillness.’ShesmiledatDrvanderLinus.‘Mynerves,youknow—I’mamartyrtothem.’SheturnedtoCressida.‘Runalongupstairs,dear,Idaresayyouwouldlikearest.MissMogfordshallbringyouyourteapresently.’SheturnedherbackonCressida,‘Teaisjustmade,’shesaidtothedoctor.‘Do

haveacupwithme.IseesofewpeopleandyoumusttellmeaboutCressida’sankle.’Herefusedwithacharmassmoothasherown.‘Ihaveanevening

appointmentandhavestillsomedistancetodrive.MissPreeceshouldbeallrightnow—aweekortwokeepingofftheankleandplentyofrest.But,ofcourse,youwillknowwhattodo.’HeshookhandsagainandthenturnedtoCressidastandingsoquietlyclose

by.‘IamsurethatDrBraddockwillbeovertoseeyoushortly.I’mgladthatthedamagewasn’tworse.I’lltakecareofthedog.’Shesmiled.‘I’msureyouwillandit’sverykindofyoutohavehim.Ihope

youhaveagoodjourneyhome.’Hestareddownather—suchaplainlittlefacebutsuchbeautifuleyes,and

despitehersmileshewasunhappy.Notsurprisingly,heconsidered;hehadapoorviewofMrsPreece.Sittingoppositehisgrandmotherthatevening,hevoicedhisvaguedisquiet

aboutCressida.‘Thegirlseemssensibleenough,’heobserved,‘andreallyonehardlyexpectsthemodernyoungwomantobehavelikeCinderella.MrsPreeceissomeonethatanyonewithanounceofgoodsensewouldgetawayfromasquicklyaspossible.’‘Thentheremustbeagoodreasonforthegirltoremainthere.Haveyouany

ideawhatitmightbe?’

‘None.’Headded,‘Isupposethereisnowayoffindingout?’‘Well,ofcoursethereis;askher.’‘PerhapsIwill.ImustgouptotowntomorrowbutI’llcomedowntosay

goodbyebeforeIgoovertoHolland,mydear,andI’llmaketimetoseeherthen.’Hefrowned.‘DoyouthinkI’mmakingamountainoutofamolehill?ProbablyIshallgetshortshrift...’‘Inthatcaseyouneeddonomoreaboutit.Ontheotherhandshemaybe

longingtoconfideinsomeone.’ItwasaweeklaterwhenhecamebacktoLadyMerrill’sandonasudden

impulseturnedoffthemainroadtogotoMintonCracknell.HewaswithinhalfamileofthevillagewhenhesawCressida,walkingawkwardlywithastick,goinginthesamedirectionashewas.Hedrewupbesideher,andopenedthedoor.His‘Hello,canIgiveyoualift?’wascasuallyutteredandwhensheturnedtolookathimhewascarefultostaycasual.Shehadbeencrying,althoughshesmilednowandthankedhimpolitely.‘That’skindofyou,butIwalkalittlewayeachday,youknow—it’sgoodfor

me.’Thedoctorsaid,‘Getin,Cressida,’inagentlevoicewhichnonethelessshe

feltcompelledtoobey.Shegotin.‘Isyourstepmotherathome?’Sheshookherhead.‘No.ShegoestoBathtohaveherhairdone.Didyou

wanttoseeher?’‘No.Whyhaveyoubeencrying,Cressida?’Heleanedacrossherandclosed

thedoor.‘Supposingyoutellmewhatiswrong?AndImustbegyounottotellmethatthereisnothingwrong,becausethatismerelywastingtime.Possiblyyoudonotwishtoconfideinafriendbutsinceweareunlikelytomeetagainyoucansafelyunburdenyourselftome.’‘Idon’tthink,’beganCressidadoubtfully,‘actually,thatitwouldbeofany

interesttoyou.’‘Youarepolitelytellingmethatitisnoneofmybusiness.Quiteright,andall

themorereasontotalktome.SinceitisnoneofmybusinessIshallgiveyounoadvice,norshallIreadyoualectureortellyouthatnoneofitmatters.’Helaidagreatarmalongtheseatbehindhershoulders.‘Nowlet’shaveit...’Itwashardtostart,ithadbeenallbottledupforsolong,butoncestarted

Cressidawasunabletostop.Itallcamepouringout.‘It’sMoggy,yousee,’sheexplained.‘Ifsheleavesbeforeshe’ssixtyshecan’thaveFather’slegacyandshedependsonthatforheroldage...’

‘Haveyouseenthewill...?’‘No.MrTims,thesolicitor,readitouttousbutitwasfullofheretoforesand

thoselongwordstheyuse.’‘Justsupposingthattherehadbeenamisunderstandingaboutthetermsofthe

legacy,MissMogfordwouldbeabletoleave,wouldshenot?Andyouwouldbefreetoleavehome,knowingthatherfuturewassecure.’Cressidagaveagreatsniffandheglancedather.Shehardlylookedherbest,

herhairwasallovertheplace,asfarashecouldjudgeshehadnomake-uponandherclothesweredeplorable.Hesaidverykindly,‘ItislikelythatMissMogfordhasn’tunderstoodtheconditionsofthelegacy.Ifthatcouldbelookedintoshemightfindherselffreetoleavebeforesheissixty.Whoexactlytoldherofthiscondition?’‘Mystepmother.’Thedoctorfrowned.Tiresomewoman,andhowonearthhadhecometoget

involvedinthebusiness?Allthesameitseemedtohimthathewastheonlyonewithapairofscissorstocutthetangle.Apitythathewouldbeleavingthecountrysosoon...‘Feelbetter?’heasked.‘Yes,thankyou.’Sheputahandonthedoor-handle.‘You’vebeenverykind.I

won’tkeepyou.’Hishandcamedownonhers,firmandwarm.‘Therestofthedayismyown.

I’lldriveyouhome.’Atthegatessheaskedhim,‘Wouldyouliketocomein?Moggywillmakea

potoftea...’Hehadgotoutofthecartooandstoodlookingdownather.‘Ishouldhave

likedthatbutI’mgoingintoYeoviltocollectthedog.Haveyouanyideasaboutaname?’‘Well,no.Oughtn’thetohaveaDutchnamesincehe’stoliveinHolland?’‘HeisEnglish;heshouldhaveanamewhichiscommontobothcountries.’‘Caesar?’‘Thatwoulddoverynicely.Itwillsuithim,too;hebidsfairtobealargebeast

whenheisgrown.’Cressidaputoutahand.‘I’msogladhe’sgoingtobelookedafter.That’s

wonderful;thankyouagainforallyou’vedone.Goodbye.’Thehandholdinghersfeltreassuringlylargeandsecure.Shewishedvery

muchthatthedoctorwasn’tgoingaway.Hewouldforgether,ofcourse,butknowinghimevenforsuchashorttimehadbeenpleasant.

Hewaitedbythecaruntilshereachedthedoorandwentinside,turningtogiveafinalwaveasshedidso.Shedidn’ttellMoggyaboutthewill.FirstshewouldwritetoMrTims;it

wouldneverdotoraisethedearsoul’shopesuntilshehadheardfromhim.OvertheirteatheytalkedaboutthedogandthesplendidhomehewouldhavewhenhetravelledtoHolland.‘Luckybeast,’saidMissMogfordwithagooddealoffeeling.***

DRVANDERLinusfoundhisgrandmothersittinginherhigh-backedarmchairbyabriskfire.Theweatherwasstillfineandsunny,but,asshepointedoutcheerfully,arthritisandoldageneededwarmth.Hebenttokisshercheek.‘Mydear,youareoneofthoseluckypeoplewho

nevergrowold;you’rereallyaveryprettylady,youknow.’‘Goonwithyou!Butteringmeup...Whathaveyoubeendoingwith

yourself?’‘Working.’Hesatdownoppositeher.‘Grandmother,doyouknowofaMr

TimsofSherborne?’‘OfcourseIdo.Heismysolicitor,hasbeenforyears—mustbeallof

seventy.’‘DoyousupposehewouldallowmethesightofMrPreece’swill?’‘Beentoseethatgirlagain,haveyou?’LadyMerrill’soldeyestwinkledwith

amusement.‘ImetherontheroadasIwascominghere.Shelookedlikeasmallwethen.I

gaveheralifthomeandgothertotalk.IfancyMrsPreecehas—shallwesay?—misunderstoodthetermsofthewill...’Heexplainedbrieflyandhisgrandmothernoddedinquickunderstanding.‘Soifshehasbeenmisleadingthegirlandthehousekeeperthingscanbeput

right,thehousekeepercanleaveandthegirlwillbefreetofindherselfajob.’Heroldfacepuckeredinthought.‘Whatkindofajobwouldawethenbeabletoget?’Thedoctorlaughed.‘Ithinkthatifshewerefreeandindependentshemight

begintolooklikeanyothergirl.Haveyouanyideas?’‘I’llthinkaboutit.GoandphoneGeorgeTimsandthencomeandplay

cribbage?’MrTimswasco-operative.Thedoctormightpopinanytimehechoseduring

thenextday.DrvanderLinuswentbacktothedrawing-roomandbenthispowerfulmindtotheproblemofallowinghisgrandmothertowinwithouther

suspectingit.Undoubtedlytherehadbeenamisunderstanding,MrTimsassuredthedoctor

thefollowingmorning;MissMogfordwasfreetoleavewhenshewishedandwouldreceiveherlegacywithoutdelay.‘MrsPreecewillmissher;shehasbeenwiththefamilyformanyyearsandwillbehardtoreplace.MrsPreeceisadelicatelady,unabletodoagreatdeal,butofcourseshewillhaveCressida—suchasensiblegirl.’Thedoctoragreedblandlyanddrovebacktothehouse.Thelittlewethen

deservedachance.Shewas,hesupposed,possessedofthenormalskillsofawell-educatedgirl;sheshouldhavenodifficultyingettingherselfajob,butwhatas?Sheknewnothingaboutcomputers;hefeltsureofthat.Probablyshecouldn’ttypeordoshorthand,andshewouldbenogoodasanurse;fartoosmallforastartandwithfartoosoftaheart.Notthatheapprovedofnurseswhodidn’thavesofthearts,thatwasavitalpartofbeingadecentnurse—buthesuspectedthatshewouldallowpersonalsympathywiththepatienttosupplantnursingexpertise.Itwouldhavetobesomethingaroundthehouse,hethoughtvaguely.Weretherecompanionsnowadays?Hewasn’tsure,buttherewereaupairsfromwhomallthatwasrequiredwascommonsense,anabilitytodochoresaroundthehouse,likechildrenandanimalsandbewillingtobabysit.Heknewthat;variousofhismarriedfriendshadthem.Shewouldhavearoofoverherheadtoo...HewasturninginatLadyMerrill’sgatewhenhefoundtheanswer.Overdinnerhetoldhisgrandmotherwhathehadinmind.‘Ishallwantyour

help,mydear,’headded.LadyMerrilllistenedcarefully.‘Thisisreallyratherfun.YoudorealisethatI

shallhavetodothisthroughathirdperson?IcannotappearonMrsPreece’sdoorstepoutoftheblue.Letmesee,AudreySeftonknowsher.Leaveittome,Aldrik.Isthegirlpresentable?’Heleanedbackinhischair.‘Shehasaprettyvoiceandnicemanners.

Beautifuleyesandnolooks.Isupposedressedintherightclothesshewoulddoverywellinthemostexactingofhouseholds.’‘Yes,dear—buthowdoesshegettheseclothesifshehasnomoney?’‘I’llseeMrTims.Asmallsumheldinsomesortofreserveforheruseor

somethingsimilar.’Hisgrandmothergavehimasharplook.‘You’regoingtoagreatdealof

trouble,mydear.Shewouldprobablygetherselfsomesortofworkifshewerelefttodoso.’

‘Oh,I’msureshewould.IshallbegoinguptoFrieslandinanycaseandI’llseeCharityandTyco.Charitymightlikecompanyforafewmonths,atleastuntilthebabyisborn,andthatwillgiveCressidatimetolookaroundanddecidewhatshewantstodo.’‘Yes,dear?Willyoustayupthere?’‘I’venoappointmentsthereuntilthemiddleofthemonth.I’mtiedupin

LeidenalmostassoonasIgetback.ThatwillgivemeachancetoseesomethingofNicola...’‘I’msureshewillbepleasedtoseeyouagain.There’snothingdefinite,I

suppose,dear?’‘No,Grandmother.Wearebothsensiblepeople;adeepregardandafull

knowledgeofeachother’scharacterseemstometobeessentialbeforemarrying.’Itsoundedpompousbuthedisarmedherwithagrin.Hisgrandmothergavehimalovinglook.Hewasherveryfavourite

grandchildandshewantedhimtobehappy.Helovedhisworkasaconsultantphysicianandhewasverysuccessful.Hehadmoney,friends,andthosewhoworkedforhimlikedhim.Allverywell,shethought,buthehasnoideawhatitisliketobeinlove.Nicolawasacoldfish,elegantandwittyandwanting,LadyMerrillsuspected,onlyasecureplaceinhercomfortableworld,nevermindtheromance.Heleftthenextday,promisingtocomeandseeherassoonashecouldspare

afewdays.‘I’llbedrivingMamaoverbeforeChristmas,’hepromisedher.TwodayslaterMrsPreececamedowntobreakfastlookingannoyed.‘So

vexing—IhadplannedtogointoYeovilanddosomeshopping;nowthatwretchedMrTimswantstocallthismorning.Hurryupandeatyourbreakfast,Cressida,andgetatrayready.Ifhedoesn’tstayI’llstillhavetimetogo.Bringthecoffeeassoonashegetshere.’Cressidawenttothekitchen,laidatrayforcoffeeandtoldMissMogford,

‘Half-pastten,hesaidinhisletter.Shedidn’ttellmewhy,paperstosign,Iexpect.’MrTimsarrivedpunctuallyandMrsPreece,eagertogettoYeovil,didn’t

keephimwaiting.Cressidacarriedinthecoffee,wishedhimacheerfulgoodmorningandmadeforthedoor.‘WhatIhavetosayconcernsbothCressidaandMissMogford,MrsPreece.I

shouldlikethembothtobehereifyouwouldbesokind.’MrsPreeceflashedhimalookquitelackinginkindness.‘Really,MrTims,is

thisnecessary?Theyarebothbusyaroundthehouse.’

MrTimslookedatheroverhisspectacles.‘Itisnecessary,MrsPreece.’SoCressidafetchedMissMogfordandtheysatawkwardlysidebysideon

oneofthebigsofas,wonderingwhatonearthwasgoingtohappennext.MrTimsclearedhisthroatandopenedhisbriefcase.‘Iwaslookingthrough

MrPreece’spapersveryrecentlyanditoccurstomethattheremayhavebeenamisunderstandingconcerningMissMogford’slegacy.Accordingtothewillsheisentitledtoclaimitwhenevershewishes;shemayinfactleaveassoonasshewantsandthemoneywillbepaidtoher.Thereisnoquestionofherhavingtoremaininserviceuntilsheissixty.Ibelievethatwastheimpressiongivenheratthetimeofthereadingofthewill;mistakenlyofcourse.’MissMogfordsaidgruffly.‘Youreallymeanthat?Icanpackmybagsandgo

andstillhavethelegacy?’ShelookedatMrsPreece.‘MadamtoldmethatIwouldhavetostayorIwouldn’tgetthemoney.’MrsPreecehastilyadjustedherfeaturesintoalookofapologeticregret.‘Oh,

dear,I’msurethatwasneverintended.Sillyme,Ineverhavebeenanygoodatthiskindofthing.’ShesmiledcharminglyatMrTims,whosaidpolitely,‘Well,noharmdone,I

imagine.’HeturnedtoCressida.‘Ifatanyfuturetimeyoushoulddecidetoleavehome,Iamentrustedwithasmallsumofmoney,sufficient,Itrust,tostartyouoffinwhateverventureyoumayconsider.’‘Oh,Cressidawouldneverdreamofleavingme,’saidMrsPreecequickly.

‘Mynerves,youknow.ItisessentialthatIhavesomeonetotakecareofmeandsheisveryusedtothat.’Cressidasaidnothing,merelythankedMrTimsandofferedhimmorecoffee.

Herefused,andsaidthathehadanotherclienttoseeintheneighbourhood,andMissMogfordgotuptoshowhimout.MrsPreecebadehimgoodbyeinacoldvoice—hehadn’tshownherthesympathyshehadexpected—andCressidashookhands,sayingnothingbutlookingathimwitheyesalightwithdamped-downexcitement.Byjove,thoughtMrTims,thoselovelyeyesofhersmadeamanforgetherordinarylooks.WhenhehadgoneMrsPreecesaidsharply,‘Ofcoursethereisnoquestionof

yourgoing,MissMogford.I’mquitepreparedtogiveyouabiggerwage,andafterallthishasbeenyourhomeforyears.’Moggy’sseverefeaturesbecameevenmoresevere.‘Youpaymeweekly,Mrs

Preece.I’mgivingyouaweek’snoticeasfromtoday.’Sheturnedonherheelandmarchedbrisklybacktothekitchen,leavingMrs

Preecespeechless.Butnotforlong!

‘Thewretch,afterallI’vedoneforher.Goafterher,Cressida,andtellhershemuststay.WhatamItodowithoutahousekeeper?’Tearsofself-pityrolleddownhercarefullymade-upcheeks.Cressida,a-firewiththeprospectoffreedom,satdownonthearmofachair.

‘No,Iwon’ttellMoggyanythingofthesort,’shesaidcalmly.‘You’veneverdoneanythingforherandyoucangetanotherhousekeeper.’MrsPreece’seyesbulged.‘Cressida,haveyoutakenleaveofyoursenses?

Howdareyoutalktomelikethat,afterallI’ve...?’ShestoppedbecauseCressidawassmiling.‘I’mgoingtoo,Stepmother.’‘Don’tberidiculous.Whatwillyoudo?Andyou’venomoney.’‘I’mveryexperiencedinhouseworkandMrTimssaidthattherewasalittle

money.’‘Rubbish.Noonewillemployyou.’MrsPreecechangedhertactics.‘Ifyou

willstay,Cressida,I’llmakeyouanallowance.I’llgetanotherhousekeeperandyoucantrainher.Isimplycannotmanagewithoutsomeonetorunthishouse.Mynerves...’ShegaveCressidaawansmile.‘Whatwouldyourfatherhavesaid?’‘Hewouldhavetoldmetopackmybagsandgo,’saidCressidapromptly.Cressidalayawakeforalongtimethatnight.Sheintendedtoleaveatthe

sametimeasMoggyalthoughjustforthemomentshehadnoideaastowhatshewoulddo.London,shesupposedvaguely;surelytherewouldbeworkofsomesortthere.Ifshehadaroofoverherheadshecouldsavemostofherwagesandthentrainforsomething,shewasn’tsurewhat.Buttobefreeandliveherownlife—sheutteredasighofpurecontentandfellasleep.Inthelightofearlymorningshelostsomeoftheeuphoria.Shewasn’tsureif

shehadenoughmoneytogettoLondon,forastart—shewouldhavetoseeMrTims—andwhenshegotthere,thenwherewouldshego?Thiswassomethingwhichwouldhavetobesettledbeforeshelefthome;shewasapracticalgirl;toarriveinLondonwithnonotionofwhereshewastolayherheadthatnightwasbird-witted.Somethingwouldhavetobedoneaboutthat.Somethingwas.MrsPreece,sittinglanguidlyinherdrawing-room,refusing

todoanythingaboutrearrangingherhousehold,declaringthatshefeltillenoughtotaketoherbed,wasforcedtopullherselftogetherwhenMissMogfordcametotellherthatshehadacaller:MrsSefton,wholivedsomemilesfromMintonCracknellbutwhomshehadmetonvariousoccasionsatotherpeople’shouses.Shedidn’tliketheladyovermuch;overbearing,sheconsidered,withanamusedcontemptforweaknervesandwomenwhocouldn’tdothewashing-upfor

themselves.Thatshelivedinalargehouse,well-staffedandwell-run,hadnothingtosaytothematter;MrsSeftonwasperfectlycapableofrunningtheplacesingle-handedifitwerenecessaryandthatwithoutasinglegrumble.Shebreezedintotheroomnowandbadeherreluctanthostessgoodmorning.

Hervoicewasn’tloudbuthadapenetratingringtoit,sothatMrsPreececlosedhereyesforamoment.‘Alovelymorning,’declaredMrsSefton.‘Youshouldbeout.There’sthe

autumnfêteatWatlyHousethisafternoon—aren’tyougoing?’MrsPreecesaidfaintlythatno,shedidn’tthinkshefeltwellenough.‘Well,youlookallright,’saidMrs.Sefton.‘Mynerves,youknow.’MrsSefton,whohadneverquitediscoveredwhatnerves,whenmentionedby

theirpossessor,meant,ignoredthis.‘I’mheretoaskafavour.Thatgelofyours,Cressida,I’veajobforher...’‘Shedoesn’tneedajob,’saidMrsPreece,sittingupsmartly.‘Iknowsomeonewhoneedsher—anoldfriendofmine,LadyMerrill,

desperatelyneedsacompanionforafewweekswhileherpermanentcompanionhasaholiday.’MrsSefton,pleasedwithherfabrication,addedinringingtones,‘Notmuchtodoyouknow—justafewchores.She’sjusttheoneforit.I’msureyoucanmanagewithouther—Idon’tsupposeyouseemuchofheranyway,shegoesoutagooddealIdaresay.’‘Cressidalikestostayathomewithme,’saidMrs.Preecesourly.‘Doesshe?Inthatcaseshe’llknowjustwhattodoforLadyMerrill.Shelives

northofSherborne,quiteeasytogetat—justtheothersideofCharltonHorethorne.’MissMogfordcameinwiththecoffeeandMrs

Preecepoureditwithashakinghand.‘I’mquitesurethatCressidawon’twishtoleaveme,’shesaidinadie-awayvoice.‘Well,let’shaveherintospeakforherself,’saidMrsSefton.Shestopped

Moggyonherwaytothedoor.‘AskMissPreecetocomehere,willyou?’MrsPreeceopenedhermouthtosaysomethingtartaboutguestsgivingorders

insomeoneelse’shouseandthenthoughtbetterofit.MrsSeftonwaswellknownandlikedinthecountyandshewasknowntogiveherunvarnishedopinionofanyoneoranythingshedidn’tapproveof.MoggyhurriedbacktothekitchenwhereCressidawasmakingthejunketMrsPreeceateeachday—itwassupposedtokeeptheskinyouthful,shehadbeentold.

‘Dropthat,MissCressida,’saidMoggyurgently,‘you’retogotothedrawing-room,there’saMrsSeftonthere,wantstoseeyou.’‘Why?’askedCressida.‘Thejunketwillcurdle...’‘Dratthejunket.Yourstepmotherisinaragesobecareful.’Cressidamightbeaplaingirlbutshewasgracefulandself-possessed.She

greetedMrsSefton,grudginglyintroducedbyMrsPreece,inaquietvoice,andsatdown.‘I’veajobforyou,mydear,’saidMrsSefton,notbeatingaboutthebush.‘An

oldlady—agreatfriendofmine—isinneedofacompanionforafewweeksandIthoughtofyou.Wouldyoucaretotakeiton?’‘Youcan’tleaveme,Cressida,’saidMrs.Preeceinafadingvoice,‘Ishallbe

ill;besides,itisyourplacetostayherewithme.’Cressidagaveherathoughtfullookandturnedsparklingblueeyesupontheir

visitor.‘Ishouldliketocomeverymuch,’shesaidcomposedly.‘Ihavebeenplanningtofindajobnowthatourhousekeeperisleaving.Whenwouldthisladywantmetostart?’MrsSefton,primedastowhenMissMogfordwasleaving,wasreadywithan

answer.‘WouldThursdaybetoosoon?’‘Thatisquiteimpossible,’observedMrsPreece.‘Ihavehadnorepliestomy

advertisementforahousekeeperandMissMogfordleavesonthesameday.CressidamuststayuntilIfindsomeonetorunthehouseforme.’‘Oh,surelyyoucanmanagetodothatyourself?’askedMrsSefton.‘Idaresay

youhaveoutsidehelpfromthevillage?’MrsPreecehadtoadmitthatshehad.‘Well,then,getthemtocomemoreoften,’saidMrsSeftoncheerfully.‘Idare

sayyoumightfeelmuchbetterifyouhadsomethingtodo.’Shesmiledinacondescendingmanneratherhostess.‘Anddocometothefête;there’snothinglikehavinganoutsideinterest,youknow.’Shegottoherfeet.‘SobereadyonThursday,Cressida—youdon’tmindifI

callyouthat?Someonewillfetchyoudirectlyafterlunch.’ShelookedatMrsPreecewhowishedherafeeblegoodbye.‘Youmustexcuse

mefromgettingup,’shewhispereddramatically.‘Theshock,youknow...’‘Well,Idon’tknow,’saidMrsSefton,‘forIdidn’trealisethatyou’dhadone.I

daresayweshallmeet.Doyougooutatallsocially?IhaveseenyouonseveraloccasionsatdinnerpartiesandwereyounotinBathlastweek?AttheRoyalCrescent,diningwiththeCroftons?Cressidawasnotwithyou?’‘Oh,yes—along-standingengagement.Cressidahatesgoingout,sheisvery

muchahomegirl.’MrsSeftonraisedhereyebrows.‘Theninthatcase,thislittlejobwillgiveher

atasteoftheoutsideworld,willitnot?’WithwhichpartingshotMrsSeftontookherselfoff.MrsPreeceweptandcajoledandthreatenedfortherestofthatdaybuttono

goodpurpose.Moggywasadamantaboutleaving,shepackedherthingsandthenwenttohelpCressidawithhers.‘Ican’tthinkwhyyoustayed,MissCressida,youcouldhavegonemonthsago...’‘Iwasn’tgoingtoleaveyouhere,Moggy,’wasallCressidawouldsay.MissMogfordstaredather,herarmsfullofclothes.‘Sothat’swhyyou’veput

upwithyourstepmother’stantrums.I’llnotforgetthat,love.Ifeveryouneedhelporahomeorjustsomeonetotalkto,I’llbetherewaitinganddon’tyouforgetit.’CressidaputdowntheshoesshewaspolishingandcastherarmsaroundMiss

Mogford.‘Moggy,youareadarling,andI’llrememberthatandIpromisethatI’llcometoyouifIneedhelporadviceorabed.Ishallmissyou.’Moggy’ssterncountenancesoftened.‘Ishallmissyoutooafterallthistime.It

hasn’tbeeneasy,hasit?Buteverything’llcomerightnow.Youreallywanttogotothisoldlady?’‘Yes,oh,yes,Ido.It’sastart,IcangetareferencefromherandIsupposeI’ll

getpaid—Iforgottoask—I’llsaveallIcanandbesidesMrTimssaidtherewasalittlemoneyforme.I’dbettergoandseehimtomorrow...No,I’llphone,hecansendthemoneyhere.’Shewrappedhershoescarefullyandputthemintotheshabbysuitcase.‘We’d

bettergoandstartdinner.Stepmother’salonethisevening.’‘Well,don’tletherputuponyou,’advisedMissMogfordfirmly.Cressidaturnedeyesshininglikestarsuponhercompanion.‘Iwon’t,Moggy,

neveragain.’

CHAPTERTHREE

BYLUNCHTIMEONThursdayCressidacouldfeelnothingbutreliefatleavingherhome.MrsPreecehadtriedeverygambitknowntoherinhereffortstomakeCressidaandMissMogfordchangetheirminds.Shehadhadnosuccessandhadresortedtobadtemperandreproaches,despitewhichCressidahadbeentothevillageandarrangedforoneofthewomenwhocametohelpinthehousetomoveintemporarilyuntilanewhousekeepercouldbeengaged.ShehadmetthepostmanonthewayandhehadgivenheraletterfromMrTims—aregisteredlettercontainingahundredpoundsandanote—couchedindry-as-dustterms,wishingherwellandadvisinghertousethemoneyprudentlyuntilsuchtimeasshehadapermanentjob.Cressida,whohadn’tlaidhandsonanythinglikethatsumforsometime,skippedallthewayhome—ratherclumsilybecauseheranklestillpainedherattimes.Nosoonerhadsheenteredthehousethanherstepmothercalledtoherfrom

thedrawing-room.‘Sinceyou’renotgoinguntilafterlunchyoumightaswellgetitready.I’mfartooupsettoeatmuch;I’llhaveanomeletteandsomethintoastandmyusualjunket.Youhadbetteropenabottleofwhitewinetoo.’Shepickedupthenovelshewasreading.‘Anddon’tbothertosaygoodbye,youungratefulgirl.I’llhaveatrayhere.’CressidawenttothekitchenandfoundMissMogfordintheprocessofgetting

readytoleave.Thebaker’svanwouldbecallingshortlyandthedriverwasgivingheralifttoTemplecombewherehersisterhadasmallcottage.Herold-fashionedtrunkandcardboardsuitcasewerealreadyinthehallandasshesatatthekitchentable,wearingherbestcoatandaratherterrifyinghat,shelookedassternasusualbutwhenCressidajoinedherherfacecrumpled.‘Thatitshouldcometothis—youbeingturnedoutofyourownhome...’‘Well,I’veturnedmyselfout,haven’tI,Moggy?Ihateleavingandsodoyou

butweshallbothbealothappier.Afterall,ithasn’tbeenmuchfunsinceFatherdied.HasStepmotherpaidyouyourwages?’MissMogfordnodded.‘Ihadtoaskherforthem.Andwhataboutyou,Miss

Cressy?Willyoubeallright?Supposingthisoldladyistoomuchofahandful?’‘Oldladies,onthewhole,arerathernice,Moggy,andinanycaseit’sonlyfor

afewweeksthenIcanpickandchoose.’CressidaspokebracinglybecauseMoggysoundedworried,butshefeltuncertainofthefuture,althoughshehadeveryintentionofmakingasuccessofwhateversheendedupdoing.Leavingherhomewasasadnessshehadn’tquiterealised,buttostayforever,panderingtoherstepmother’swhims,wassomethingnolongertobeborne.Shehadbeenlongingforsomethingtohappenandnowithadandshewouldmaketheverybestofit.‘There’sthebaker,’shesaid,andbustledheroldfriendoutintothehall.‘Now

you’vegotmyaddressandI’vegotyours,we’llwriteregularlyandassoonaswecanwe’llhaveafewhourstogether.’SheputherarmsroundMoggy’sspareframeandhuggedher.‘I’mgoingtomissyoudreadfullybutyou’regoingtobehappyandsoamI.’Sheplantedakissonthehousekeeper’scheek.‘Nowoffyougo.I’llbeleavinginanhourortwo...’MissMogfordspokegruffly.‘Ifyourpoorpacouldseeyounow,he’dturnin

hisgrave.Thisisn’twhatheintended.’‘Well,nevermindthat,Moggy,we’rebothgettingachance,aren’twe?It’s

ratherexciting...’ShewalkedMissMogfordouttothevanandfoundthatthedriverhadstowed

theluggageintheback,andwaswaitingtosettlehispassengerintothefrontseat.ThelastCressidasawofMoggywasherelderlyfacerigidwithsuppressedfeelingsstaringoutfromunderthathat.Inthekitchen,warmingthemilkforthejunket,Cressidashedafewtears.She

hadn’tmeantto,theyhadoozedoutfromunderherlidsandshehadwipedthemawayatonce.ShewasgoingtomissMoggy,shewasgoingtomissherhometooandthoseofherfriendswhomshesawfromtimetotime,but,shetoldherselffirmly,thiswassomethingshehadwishedforandnowithadhappenedandshemustmakethemostofit.Shemadethejunket,thenbeattheeggsfortheomeletteandcutherselfasandwich,fortherewouldn’tbetimeforanythingmore.Herstepmotherwasmakingthingsasdifficultaspossible—shewantedfruit

andmorecoffeeandanovelshehadputdownsomewhereandsimplyhadtohave.Cressidaattendingtothesewants,gobbledhersandwichasshetidiedthekitchenjustintimetogetherelderlytweedcoatasacardrewupbeforethehouse.Herstepmother’strayhadn’tbeenclearedandnothinghadbeendoneaboutdinnerthatevening;Cressida,feelingguilty,didn’tmind.Shewentquietlyfromtheoldhousewithhertwoshabbysuitcasesandwasmetonthedoorstepbyanelderlymanwithaweatherbeatenfacewhowishedhergooddayina

friendlyvoiceandstowedherluggageinthebootoftheelderlyDaimler.Shehadgonetothedrawing-roomonherwayout,and,despiteMrsPreece’s

wish,hadbeendeterminedtobidhergoodbye.‘Itoldyounottocome,Cressida,andasfarasI’mconcernedyouneednot

bothertoreturn.Iwashmyhandsofyou.’SoCressidagotintothecarbesidethedriveranddidn’tlookback,telling

herselffirmlythatshehadgonethroughoneoflife’sdoorsandshutitbehindher.Thedriverwasfriendlyanddisposedtotalk.HewasthegardeneratLady

Merrill’splace,heexplained,andbesidesthathedrovethecarwhenitwaswantedanddidoddjobsaroundtheplace.‘Doyoudrive,miss?’hewantedtoknowandwhenCressidasaidthatyes,shedid,althoughshehadseldomhadthechance,hegavetheopinionthatitwouldbeagoodthingifshecoulddrivethecarsometimes,‘ForLadyMerrilldoesn’tgooutoften,butwhenshedoesIhavetoleavemygarden,’heexplained.‘Doesherpermanentcompaniondrive?’askedCressida.Hedidn’tansweratonce.‘Er—well,no.You’llbearealblessing.’‘Well,Idohopeso.Ihaven’tbeenacompanionbefore.Willyoutellmeyour

name,please?’‘Bert,Miss.There’sMrBaxter,thebutler,’e’sold,andMrsWiffinthecook

andElsietheparlourmaid,they’veallbeenthere,sameasme,fornighonthirtyyearsandnonotionofleaving,neither.’‘LadyMerrilliselderly,isn’tshe?Idon’tmeantogossipabouther,butIdon’t

reallyknowverymuchaboutthejob.’‘Well,now,LadyMerrilliswhatyoumightcallelderly,allofeighty-three,

butveryspryandnothingwrongintheheadasyoumightsay.She’llbegladtohavesomeoneyoungaroundtheplace.’‘IhopeIwon’tbetooyoung;ishercompanionelderly?’‘Elderly,oh,yes,miss.Likedogs,doyou?’‘Verymuch.’‘TwoPekinesewe’vegot.MuffandBelle,nicelittlebeasts.’Cressidawassoothedbyhisamiabletalk.BythetimetheyreachedLady

Merrill’shouseshewasingoodspirits,sustainedbythefatherlyattitudeofBaxterwhenheopenedthedoortoher.‘LadyMerrillrestsintheafternoon,’hetoldherasheshowedherintothe

hall,‘butElsiewilltakeyoutoyourroomsothatyoucanunpackifyouwish.Perhapsatrayoftea?ShewillletyouknowwhenLadyMerrillisawake.’

Elsiewasnicetoo;elderlyandthinandwearinganold-fashionedblackdressandawhiteapron.‘Youcomewithme,miss,andI’llbringyouanicepotofteapresently,’sheobserved,guidingCressidauptheoakstaircaseatthebackofthehall.Theroomintowhichshewasshownwascharming,notoverlargebut

furnishedingreatcomfort.HercasewasalreadythereandElsiesaidcomfortably,‘Youjustunpack,miss,andI’llbeupwithyourteainabraceofshakes.’Lefttoherself,Cressidapeeredintocupboardsanddrawers,putherhead

roundadoortofindasmallbutluxuriouslyequippedbathroom,andthenstartedtounpack.Shehadn’tfinishedwhenElsiecamebackwiththetea,nicelyarrangedonatray;paper-thinchinaandaplateoffairycakesarrangedroundasmallsilverteapot.Cressidathankedherandsettleddowntoenjoythedaintymeal;itwasalongtimesinceanyonehadservedherteaonatray...Anhourlatershewasledtoaroomatthefrontofthehouseandusheredinby

Elsie.‘It’stheyounglady,mylady,’saidElsiecheerfully.Plainlythestaffweren’tafraidoftheirmistress;theyweren’tfamiliareither,Cressidahadtheimpressionthattheyweredevotedtoher.LadyMerrillwasonadaybed,proppedupbypillowsandcushionsand

coveredwithagossamerfinerug.ShelookedolderthanCressidahadexpectedbuttherewasnothingelderlyaboutherbrighteyesandbriskvoice.‘Comeoverhere,mydear,whereIcanseeyou,’and,whenCressidadidso,

sheexaminedherfromheadtofoot.‘Ihopeyouwillbehappywhileyouarehere.MrsSeftonwassodelightedtoarrangeforyoutocomehere.Ibelievesheknowsyourstepmother?’Cressidasaidcautiously,‘Theymetatdinnerpartiesandotherpeople’s

houses.I’vemetherseveraltimesatfêtesandchurchbazaars.’‘Agood-heartedwoman!IshallcallyouCressida.’‘Ishouldlikethat,LadyMerrill.Couldyoutellmewhatyouwouldlikemeto

do?I—Ihaven’tbeenacompanionbeforeandI’mnotsure...’‘Well,now,letmesee.Ishan’tneedyouuntilteno’clockeachmorning;I

breakfastinbedandElsiehelpsmedress.IliketoreadmylettersandIexpectyoutoanswerthemforme,runerrands,readtome—mysightisn’tverygood—andtalk.Iliketotalk.Doyouwatchtelevision?’‘Well,no,veryseldom.’Cressidareflectedthattherehadneverbeenmuch

opportunityforhertodosoandtheonlyTVhadbeeninthedrawing-roomwhereshehadseldomhadthetimetosit.

‘Iwatchthenews,’saidLadyMerrill,‘andanythingwhichIconsiderworthwhile.YoushallreadtheprogrammestomeeachmorningsothatIcandecideifthereisanythinginwhichIaminterested.Youwillhaveyourmealswithme.Doyouplaycardsorchess?—orcribbage?Ienjoypatience...’‘Well,yes,Iplaychess,notverywellandcribbage—Iusedtoplaywithmy

father.I’mnogoodatBridge.’‘Nevermindthat—weneedfourtomakeagameandI’vebetterthingstodo

thansitaroundatablebickeringoverthewrongcardsIplayed.’Theoldladynodded.‘You’lldo,Cressida.’Elsiecameinwiththetea-trayandLadyMerrillsaid,‘Pourmeacup,my

dear,andsitdownandhaveyourteawithme.’Nothingloath,Cressidadidasshewasbid,tobequestionedatlengthastoherlifeathomeandherplansforthefuture.Thequestionswereputinsuchakindlymannerthatshefoundherselfsayingrathermorethansheintended,althoughthinkingaboutitafterwardsshecomfortedherselfwiththethoughtthatsinceshewasunlikelytoseeLadyMerrillonceshehadleftthehouseitdidn’treallymatter,andinanycaseshegavevagueandevasiveanswerswhich,whilenotmisleading,weren’tabsolutelytrue.Shewastoldtogoawayandunpackherthingsandreturnwhenthegong

soundedfordinner,amealtakenintheoldlady’scompanyinaratherdarkroom,massivelyfurnished.ThefoodwasdeliciousandLadyMerrill,despiteherage,anexcellenttalker.Later,gettingreadyforbed,Cressidastandingatherwindow,warmlywrappedinherdressing-gownagainstthechillofthenight,watchedthemoon’sfitfulbeamsbetweenthecloudsandbreathedagreatgustysighofthankfulness.ShesurelymissedherhomeandMoggy,butshefeltinherbonesatthesametimethatshewouldbehappyinthisniceoldhouse.Forherfirstjobawayfromhomeshehadn’tdonesobadly,shereflected;itwasagoodomenforthefuture.Shegotintobedandherlastwakingthoughtwasthatitwasapityshecouldn’tletDrvanderLinusknowthatshehadfallenonherfeet.Hehadbeenverykind...shewonderedsleepilywherehewas.

***

DRVANDERLINUSwassittinginthedrawing-roomofapatricianhouseinLeiden,listeningtoNicolavanGermertdescribingavisitshehadpaidtofriendsinAmsterdam.Shehadanamusingwayoftalkingalthoughtherewasahintofmalice,buthesupposedthatshecouldbeforgiventhatforitspicedheraccount

justenoughtomakethoselisteningtohersmileandfromtimetotimelaughoutright.Hesatwatchinghernow:aprettyyoungwomaninherlatetwenties,self-assured,welldressedandconfidentofherplaceinsociety.Shewouldmakeagoodwife,forshehadalltheattributesofagoodhostessandwouldhavenodifficultyinmanaginghishomeinFriesland.Theyhadknowneachotherforsometimenowandalthoughnothinghadbeensaidtheirfriendswerebeginningtotakeitforgrantedthattheywouldmarry.Indeed,hehadtakenitforgrantedhimself;hewasthirty-five,timetosettledown,althoughupuntilnowhehadbeentooimmersedinhisworktothinkofmarriage.Hesupposedthatifhehadmetagirlandfalleninlove...buthehadn’t.Perhapshewasgettingtooold.HerousedhimselffromhisthoughtsandjoinedinthelaughteratoneofNicola’swittyremarks,andshesmiledathimwithafaintlypossessiveair.Thepartybrokeupshortlyafterthatandhedrovehimselfbacktotheelegant

littlehousehelivedinwhenhewasworkinginLeiden.HehadforgottenNicola,hismindalreadybusywiththenextday’spatients.Helethimselfinthankfullyandwentstraighttohisstudy,tellinghishousekeepertogotobedashewasgreetedboisterouslybyCaesarandaStBernarddogofimmensesize.Theyfollowedhimintothestudyandsettleddownbyhisdeskashepickeduphispen.Hehadn’twrittenhalfadozenwordswhenheputitdownagainandlookedathiswatch.Itwasalmosteleveno’clock;hisgrandmotherseldomsleptbeforemidnightandtherewasatelephonebyherbed.Hedialledhernumber.Hervoicewithitselderlyquavercamestronglyoverthewires.‘Aldrick—I

expectedyoutotelephone;youwanttoknowaboutCressida?’‘Merelytoaskifshehasarrivedandissettledsafely.Youdon’tfindhertoo

muchofaburden,mydear?’‘Onthecontrary,sheisacharminggirlandsoanxioustoplease.Shehas

volunteerednoinformationastoherdeparturefromherhomeandIthinkitisunlikelythatshewilldoso—Iimagineshehasremainedsilentforsolongaboutherhomelifethatsheisunlikelytospeakofittoanyone.’‘IshallbegoingtoFrieslandinacoupleofdays,I’llcallinonCharityand

Tycoandseeiftheycansuggestsomething.Iammostgratefulforyourhelp,Grandmother,butthesoonersheissettledinajobthebetter.’‘YouthinkthatshewillbehappyoutofEngland?’LadyMerrillsounded

doubtful.‘Sheseemsratherashygirl.’‘Ibelievethatshewillfeelsafe,atleastuntilshehasfoundherfeet.Onceshe

realisesthatsheisfreeofherstepmothershewillprobablytrainforsomespecificskill,andmakealifeforherselfinEnglandifshewishes.’

‘Yes,dear.I’msureyou’reright.You’vedoneagooddealforthegirlandsheissensibleenoughtomakeherownwayintheworld.Shehasn’taboyfriend?Marriagewouldsolveallherproblemsforher,wouldn’tit?’Thedoctorfrowned.‘Ihopethatshedoesn’tmeetsomeunsuitablefellowand

imagineherselfinlove...’Hisgrandmother,sittingupinbed,turnedachuckleintoacough.‘Sheis

hardlyattractiveenoughforthat,Aldrik,thoughIdaresayavisittothehairdresserandsomenewclotheswillhelptoimproveherappearance.’‘Mydear—ofcourseshemustbepaid.Willyoudecideonasuitablewage

andletmeknow?’‘Yes,ofcourse.Weekly,Ithink.Isuspectthatshehasverylittlemoney.’‘Yes,well,I’llleavethattoyou.’‘Yes,dear.’Shebadehimgoodnightandheputthereceiverdown.‘That’s

settled,’hetoldthedogs.‘NowIcanforgetabouther.’Charitywasboundtoknowofsomeonewhowouldemploythegirl...Hehadateachingroundinthemorning,privatepatientstoseeintheearly

afternoonandanoutpatientsclinicafterwards.Hewaspleasantlytiredwhenhegothomeagain;anhourathisdeskandthenhewoulddrivehimselfandthedogsoutofLeidenandwalkforanhour.Heopenedhisfrontdoor,calledtohishousekeeperthathewashomeandwaitedwhileshecametomeethim.Mieswaselderly,ratherbony,anddespitethisshecontrivedtolookcosy.Shesaidnow,‘You’vehadalongday—you’llbetired.There’sJuffrouwvanGermertwaitingforyouinthedrawing-room—I’llbringapotofcoffee.’Hegaveherasmilingreply,fendingoffthetwodogs.Hehadbeenlooking

forwardtoaquieteveningbutgoodmannersforbadehimfromsayingso.Hewentintohisdrawing-roomwiththedogsandNicolacalledacrosstheroomfromthechairwhereshewassitting.‘Ithoughtyoumightlikecompanyafteryourbusyday.AllthosepeopleandsouninterestinganddullIdaresay.’Shedidn’tgetupbutheldupahand.‘HowabouttakingmetotheHaguefora

meal?I’vehadsuchaboringday...’Hesatdowninhiswingedchairoppositetoher.‘Tellmeaboutit,’heinvited.‘Well,that’sjustit,there’snothingtotell—Ididsomeshoppingandhad

coffeewithfriendsandthisafternoonIwenttothehairdressers.’‘Perhapsifyouhadsomekindofajobyouwouldfindthedayspassmore

quickly?’Sheopenedhereyeswide.‘Work?Aldrik,Icouldn’tpossibly.Tositinan

officealldaywouldbesoboringandI’mfartoosensitivetobeanygoodat

socialworkofanykind.BesidesIdon’tneed—’Shewasinterruptedbythetelephoneringing,andthedoctorpickedupthereceiver.ItwasLadyMerrill,tellinghimthatshehadhadasplendidday,thatCressida

hadbeenadelightfulcompanionandthattheyweremakingplanstodrivearoundthecountrysideeachdaywhiletheweatherwasfine.‘Suchanindustriousgirl,too,’saidhisgrandmother.‘BaxterisenchantedbyherandElsieissorelievedtohavesomeoneyoungtorunupanddownstairswhenIforgetsomething...’Thedoctorlaughed.‘Shesoundsatreasure.YouthinkI’vedonetheright

thing!I’llseeCharityandTycoveryshortlyandyoucansoundheroutaboutcomingoverhere?’HeputthephonedownpresentlyandturnedtofindNicolalookingathimintently.Shesmiledatonce,though,andsaidathermostcharming,‘WhoisthismysteriousgirlandwhymustyoutalktothevanderBronses?TheylivenearyourplaceinFriesland,don’tthey?Issheanaupair?’DrvanderLinussatdowninhischairagain.Nicolalookedinterestedandfor

somereasonhewantedtotalkaboutCressida.Hetoldherhowhehadmetherandthechainofeventswhichhadledhimtoengineerherescapefromwhathadbecomeanuntenablelife.‘Sheisacharminggirl,nolookstospeakofbutbeautifuleyesandagentlevoice.Mygrandmotherisdelightedwithherbutofcourseshecan’tstaythereforlong;shesupposesthatsheisfillingagapwhilemygrandmother’scompanionisonholiday.Myideawastofindherajobawayfromthatstepmotherofherswhereshecanfeelsafe,savesomemoneyanddecidewhatshewantstodo.ThevanderBronsesknowanynumberofpeople;I’msuretheycouldhelp.’Nicolahadlistenedwithoutinterruptingatall,herfacehalfturnedawayso

thathedidn’tseethethoughtfulsuspiciononit.Shehadbeensureofhimandadelightfulcarefreefuture;itonlyneededasmallpushonherpartattherightmoment—butnowtherewasatinycloudonherhorizon:thisgirl,thisplaingirlwiththeeyeswasobviouslytakingmorethanafairshareofhisthoughtsandifshewenttoFrieslandhewouldprobablyseeherfrequently.Shethoughtfast.‘Aldrik,’sheturnedaneagersympatheticfacetohim,‘nevermindthevander

Bronses,Iknowtheverythingforthisnicegirl.TanteClotilde,rememberher?JonkvrouwvanGermert—shelivesinNoordwijk-aan-Zee.Nearenoughforyoutokeeponeyeonher;besidesthereareanynumberofEnglishlivingthereandshe’llquicklymakefriends.TanteClotildewasonlysayinglastweekthatshewantedacompanion,andhavinganEnglishgirlwouldmakeitsomuchmoreinterestingforher.’

Shesawthedoubtonhisface.‘Canyousparethetimetogowithmeandseehersoon?There’snoneedtosayanythingaboutthisgirluntilyou’resatisfiedthatshemightlikethejob.Whatishername?’‘Cressida,CressidaPreece.’‘Aprettyname—Shakespeare,isn’tit?Iwonderwhy?’‘I’venoidea.Itmightbeagoodidea.I’mgoinguptoFrieslandinadayor

twobutwhenIcomeback—inaweek’stime—wemightvisityouraunt.IshouldfeelhappierifIknewCressidawassettledsomewherewhereIcanseeherfromtimetotime.IfeelresponsibleforheralthoughIamnotsurewhy.’Nicolaallowedherselfasweetsmileasshebeganmakingplans.Shewasa

cleveryoungwoman;shedidn’tseeAldrikagainbeforehewenttohishome,butoncehehadgoneshegotintohersportscarandroaredtheshortdistancetoNoordwijk-aan-Zeeandspentanhourwithheraunt...Thedoctordrovehimselfandthedogsnorth.Itwasacoldeveningand

alreadygettingdarkandtherewaslittletoseeofthecountrythroughwhichhetravelled,onlythedimoutlineoffarmswiththeirgreatbarnsattachedtothemandthegleamofthewaterfromtimetotime.HehadgoneovertheAfsluitdijkandtakentheroadtowardsLeeuwarden,turnednorthagainbeforehereachedthetownandjoinedtheroadtoDokkum,toturnoffagain,thistimeontoanarrowbrickroadwhichledhimatlengthtoasmallvillage,sevenoreightmilesfromtheWaddenzee:aclusterofsmallhouses,alarge,austerechurchandasmallschoolbuilding,allshroudedindarkness,andhalfamilebeyondthewrought-irongateswhichweretheentrancetohishome.Westerwaswaitingforhim,astoutlybuilt,verytallmanwitharuggedface

andblondhairwithaheavysprinklingofgrey.Hehadthedoorofthehouseopenbeforethedoctorreacheditandthetwomenshookhands.Westerwasthebestpartoftenyearsolderthanthedoctorandtheyhadknowneachothersinceboyhood;Wester’sfatherhadbeenhousestewardtothedoctor’sfatherandwhenhisownfatherhaddiedhehadsteppedintohisshoes,andsincehehadmarriedthedoctor’scooksomefiveyearspreviouslyandhadtwosonsitstoodtoreasonthatwhentheirtimecameoneorotherofthemwouldtakeoverfromhisfather,anarrangementwhichwassatisfactorytoeveryoneconcerned.Theystoodintheopendoorwayforafewminuteswhilethedogsroamedfree

andthedoctorslippednaturallyintothelanguageofhisyouthandspokeFries,lookingaroundhimatthelargehallbeyondthevestibulewheretheportraitsofhisancestorshungonitswhitewalls,andthewidestaircasesweptuptothegalleryabovehishead.Itwasgoodtobehome,hereflected,andtheunbidden

thoughtthatCressidawouldlikeitcrossedhismind.ShewouldlikethehouseinLeidentoo,heconceded,smallcomparedwiththisbutcharmingandoldandsplendidlyfurnished.Hefrowned,whistledtothedogsandwentinsidewhileWesterfetchedhiscasefromthecarandthendroveitroundtothegarageatthebackofthehouse.HewashalfwayacrossthehallwhenTyske,Wester’swife,camethroughthe

dooratthebackofthehalltomeethim.Shewasatallstronglybuiltwomanwithmildblueeyesandawidesmile,andshebrokeintospeechwhenshesawhim;itwasadelighttohavehimhomeagainandtherewasasplendidsupperwaitingforhim,hehadonlytosay...HeflungagreatarmroundhershouldersandlapsedintoFriesoncemore,

askingheraboutthechildrenandwhetherthecatandthepetrabbitswerewell,andpresentlyhecrossedthehalltohisdrawing-room,avastroomwithaloftyceilingandtallwidewindowsdrapedinrussetvelvet.Therewasastonefireplace,hooded,atoneendoftheroomandsomemagnificentbow-fronteddisplaycabinetsfilledwithprettyporcelainandsilver.Thechairsandsofaswerelargeandcomfortable,therewerelamptablesandavastrenttablebetweenthewindowsandambershadedlamps.Alogfireburnedbrightlyandthelamp-lightcastshadowsonthesilk-panelledwallshungwithmoreportraitsandlandscapes.Thedoctorstoodamoment,enjoyingtheroom,andthenwenttositbythefire;thiswashishome,hehadbeenbornthereandlivedinitasaboyandalthoughhetraveledagooddealnowadayshecamebacktoitwithcontent.Itwasalargehouseandveryold,withitssteepledroofandoddlittletowers,

rowsofsmallwindowsunderthetilesandchimneys,toolargeforamantoliveinalone,buthisfatherhaddiedwithinthelastfewyearsandhismotherwasonalongvisittooneofhissistersinFrance,andwhenshereturned,shehadtoldhim,ifheweretomarry,shewouldprefertoliveinthehouseatDokkumwhichshehadinheritedfromherfather.‘Ihopeyouwillmarrysoon,mydear,’shehadtoldhim.Hehadsmiledandsaidthatatthemomenthehadnowishtomarry;hisworktookhimtomajorhospitalsinhisowncountryaswellasinEuropeandbeyond,true,hewasalectureratLeidenMedicalSchoolandhadanumberofbedsatthehospital,helecturedinGroningentooandhehadbedsatLeeuwarden,buthewentfrequentlytoEnglandforconsultations,and,indeed,hadtravelledonvariousoccasionstoAmerica,theFarEastandRussia;nonethelessmostofhisworkwasinHolland,asmallenoughcountryforhimtolive,ifhewished,here,inhishouse,andtravelwitheasetoLeiden,AmsterdamanddenHaag.

HewassummonedpresentlybyWesterandcrossedthehalltohavehissupperinthesmallroomheusedasadining-roomunlesshehadguests.Itwascosy,withanold-fashionedstove,aroundtableandasmallsideboard,lightedbywallsconces.Heateanexcellentmeal,adogoneithersideofhim,andthenwenttohisstudy,aroomatthebackofthehouseoverlookingthegardens,barenowattheapproachofwinter,mergingintothepolderlandbeyond.Herehesettleddowntowork,preparingforaseriesoflecturesthathewastogiveinGroningenandcheckinghisappointmentsinLeeuwarden.Itwaslatewhenhewentupstairstobedandthehousewasveryquiet,thedogs,cominginfromalastruninthegrounds,settleddownintheirbasketsinthewarmkitchen.WesterandTyskehadlongsincegonetobedandthewindsighedinthetreesandwhenheopenedhiswindowtheairwascrispandverycold.WintercouldbehardinFrieslandbutthedoctorlikeditthatway.HesleptthesleepofatiredmanwithoutthinkingonceofNicola.Hedid,however,dreamofCressida.

***

CRESSIDADIDN’TDREAMofhim,butshedidthinkofhimquitealot.Shehadsettleddownverynicelytoherduties,noneofthemheavy—mostofthemweren’tduties,anyway;shedidn’tconsiderthattakingthedogsforawalkwasaduty,andsinceshesharedLadyMerrill’stasteinliteraturereadingoutloudwasapleasure.Herewereallthebooksshehadneverhadthetimetoreadduringthelasttwoyearsandinvariety.LadyMerrill’stastewascatholic;CressidareadTrollope,P.D.James,AlastairMacleanandthenlargechunksofJohnDonne,HerrickandKeatsandthenbacktoromance—MaryStewart,andoddchaptersofJaneEyreinterlardedwithbooksonantiques,aboutwhichLadyMerrillknewagreatdeal,andwhenthesepalledCressidawasbiddentofetchtheheavyleather-coveredalbumsfilledwithphotosofLadyMerrill’syouth.Theytalkedtoo,longconversationsaboutclothes,thetheatreandhowtoput

theworldtorights,butnoneoftheirtalksrevealedanythingofLadyMerrill’sownfamilyandCressidawastoopolitetoask.Shehadn’tbeensohappyforalongtime;herdayswerenicelyfilled,shewas

beingusefulbutshewasn’tbeingbrowbeaten,mealsweredeliciousandBaxterandtherestofthestaffwerekind.Shelostherthinnessafterthefirstweekandhercheeksweredelicatelypink.Inherpurseshehadaweek’swagesaswellasthehundredpoundsandinresponsetoLadyMerrill’sdelicatehintsshetookherselfofftoYeovilandboughtatweedskirt,acoupleofblousesandapretty

woollenjumperand,sinceshehadbecomesensitiveabouttheonlydecentdresssheownedandwhichshedonnedeacheveningtocomplimentLadyMerrill’sdarksilksandvelvets,shewenttoLauraAshleyandboughtadarkredvelvetdress,long-sleevedandsimplebutsuitableforthedinnertable.ShespentrathermorethanshehadmeanttobutsheconsoledherselfwiththethoughtthatwhensheleftLadyMerrill’sshewouldhavethenucleusofasuitablewardrobeforthekindofjobshecoulddo.Shesuspectedthatnotallcompanion’sjobswouldbeaspleasantasthisone,butshewouldhavearoofoverherheadandmoneyinherpocket.Studyinghermuchimprovedreflectioninherbedroomlooking-glass,

CressidaallowedherselftothinkaboutDrvanderLinus.Itwasapitythathecouldn’tseehernowinthereddress.Thesuspicionthathehadpitiedherrankledrather;shewouldhavelikedtoshowhimthatshewasn’tnormallyawispycreaturewithasprainedankle...Whichwasn’thowLadyMerrilldescribedherafewnightslater,sittingupin

bed,chattingwiththedoctoronthephone.‘OfcourseI’mnotasleep,dear,’sheprotested,‘youknowthatIneversleepsoearlyinthenight.YouwanttoknowaboutCressida?’Sherearrangedherbedjacketandsmiledtoherself.‘Yes,Iquiteunderstandthatyoustillfeelresponsibleforher.Sheiswelland,Ibelieve,happy.Sheisadelightfulcompanionandsuchahelptousall.Sheseemedtometobeaplaingirlbutshehasimprovedinlooksduringtheselastfewdays.Agoodthing;shehasafarbetterchanceoffindingemploymentnowthatshehasalittlecolourinhercheeksandisputtingonweight.Itissurprisingwhatgoodfooddoesforone.’‘I’mgratefultoyou,Grandmother,andIhopeyouwillshortlybeabletogo

backtoyourusualwayoflife.ImentionedhertoNicolaandshetellsmethatsheknowsjustthepersontoemployCressida.Anauntofhers,livesatNoordwijk-aan-Zeeandneedsacompanion.ShesoundsjustwhatisneededandsomuchmoresatisfactoryifsheissomeonewhoisknowntoNicola.Youdon’tthinkthatIaminterferingwithCressida’sfuture?Ishouldliketothinkthatshehadagoodjob...’‘Well,Aldrik,thealternativeistocastthegirllooseintotheworldtofindher

ownway.Shemightbelucky;ontheotherhandshemightnot.Atleastweshallknowwheresheis.’LadyMerrillfrownedthoughtfully.‘Thisaunt,haveyoumether?’‘Notyet,butIshallgoandseeherwithNicolawhenIgetbacktoLeiden.

I’veaclinictherenextweek.’

‘Youwillwriteandletherknow?’‘No.Ifancythatifsheknewwhatwehavecontrivedshemightwellrefuse.

HowaboutgettingholdofMrsSeftonagain?’‘Agoodidea—mutualfriendsinHollandandsoon.Thatshoulddoverywell.

Letmeknowyourplansingoodtime.You’rehappyatJanslum?’‘Yes,Grandmother.I’vebeenatGroningenallday;tomorrowIshallbein

LeeuwardenandplantogobacktoLeidenattheendoftheweek.’‘Whenwillyoubeoverhereagain?’‘There’saseminarinamonth’stime—Ishallseeyouthen.’Shesaidgoodnightandlaybackonherpillows,herelderlymindbusy.

Somehowshedidn’tlikethesoundofNicola’saunt,buttherewasnothingmuchshecoulddoaboutthat;perhapsshewasmisjudgingNicola,ayoungwomanshedidn’tlikeandwho,asfarassheknew,hadneverputherselfouttodoanyoneakindnessunlessitwasofbenefittoherself.LadyMerrilllayandthoughtaboutthatuntilatlastshewenttosleep.

CHAPTERFOUR

OCTOBERHADSLIPPEDintoNovember,bringingcolderweatheranddarkevenings.LadyMerrillwascontenttositindoorsorwalk,wellwrappedup,inthegroundsofthehouse.ItwasCressidawhotookthedogsfortheirwalkeachmorningandevening,bundledinheroldmacandwearingascarfoverhermousylocks.Sheenjoyedthesewalks,herheadfullofplans,mostlyaboutclothesand,ratherworriedly,aboutherfuture.LadyMerrillhadn’ttoldherhowlongshewastostayandwhenshementionedthecompaniontoanyonetheywerevagueastowhenshewouldreturn.Surelyshewouldbegivenaweek’snoticeatleast?shethought.Allthesame,giventhedayoff,shetookherselftoYeovil,purchasedacopyoftheLadymagazineandstudiedtheadverts.Therewasnolackofurgentrequestsformother’shelpsandnanniesandafairsprinklingofappealsforkindpersonstocopewitholdladies,oldgentlemenorthehousework.Itshouldn’tbetoodifficulttofindanotherjob.Shemarkedthemostpromisingoftheseoveracupofcoffeeandabunandtookherselfofftotheshops.Shehadanotherweek’swagesinherpurse,tobelaidoutwithcare;shoes—shecouldn’taffordboots—andundies.Shestillhadthehundredpoundsintactsothatnextweek’swagescouldbespentonanothersweater,glovesandahandbag.Thusequipped,shefelt,shewouldpassmusterforastart,graduallygatheringtogetherasuitablewardrobe.Whenherfatherhadbeenalive,shehadboughtniceclothes,forhehadbeengeneroustoher,butnowtheyhadseentheirbestdaysalthoughhercoatwaswellcutandofgoodqualityandwasgoodforanotherwinterorso.ShewentbacktoLadyMerrill,wellpleasedwithhermodestprudent

purchases,atedinnerintheoldlady’scompanyandspentanhourallowinghertowinagameofcribbagebeforeElsiecametohelphertobed.‘Ishallmissyou,’declaredtheoldladyasCressidawishedhergoodnight.‘Ishallmissyoutoo,LadyMerrill,butyou’llhaveyourcompanionback

againandI’msureyouwillbegladtoseeheroncemore.’LadyMerrilllookedvague.‘Yes,yes,IsupposeIshall.’Shetrottedoffonthe

faithfulElsie’sarmandCressida,withnothingbettertodo,wenttoherroomandtriedonthenewshoes.

Onceinherbed,nicelyproppedupwithpillowsandthenecessitiesforthenightonthebedsidetable,LadyMerrillpickedupthetelephone.Itwasbarelyteno’clockandhightimethatshehadachatwithAudreySefton.Anight-birdherself,theoldladyhadnocompunctionaboutrousingsuchofherfriendswithwhomshewishedtogossip;fortunatelyMrsSeftonhadn’tgonetobedandlistenedwithgrowinginteresttowhatLadyMerrillhadtosay.‘Butmydear,Idon’tknowthiswoman...’‘Well,ofcourseyoudon’t,’saidLadyMerrilltestily,‘ButifAldriksaysshe’s

allrightthenthat’sallthatmatters.ThethingistoletCressidathinkthatitisajobthatsomeoneyouknow,howevervaguely,happenedtohaveheardabout—mutualfriendsandsoon.Goon,Audrey,Aldrikisanxioustogetthegirlsettled.’‘Yes,butwhyinHolland?’‘Hewon’tlosetouch...’LadyMerrillchuckledandheardherfrienddrawa

breath.‘Youdon’tmean...?’‘Idon’tmeananything.Willyoudoit?’‘Verywell,althoughIdislikesubterfugeasyouverywellknow.’‘Thereisaverygoodreason.I’llletyouknowwhatAldriksays.Goodnight,