In spite of her brave words, he knew how she dreaded to face the world, though her womanly pride and spirit would prevent her from telling him so.

More than once she had hinted to him that she felt herself a burden on his generosity; but at the first word he had checked her.
"How old are you, dear ?" he asked by way of answer to her remark.

The question seemed to surprise her.
"Oh, Amias, don't you remember I was seventeen on the first of May, and Mrs.Craven gave us a syllabub in honour of the occasion ?" and Verity's dark eyes were a little reproachful.

It seemed so strange to her that he could have forgotten that day.

But Amias only tugged at his moustache and pondered deeply.
"I have it," he said briskly.