She was with her friends the Goodalls yesterday.' 'The Goodalls--I used to know them.' 'Yes.' The word was uttered with significance.

Everard understood the allusion, but did not care to show that he did.
'How does Mary get on without you ?' 'There's no difficulty.' 'Has she any one capable of taking your place ?' 'Yes.

Miss Vesper can do all that's necessary.' 'Even to inspiring the girls with zeal for an independent life ?' 'Perhaps even that.' They went along by the waves, in the warm-coloured twilight, until the houses of Seascale were hidden.

Then Everard stopped.
'To-morrow we go to Coniston ?' he said, smiling as he stood before her.
'You are going ?' 'Do you think I can leave you ?' Rhoda's eyes fell.

She held the long strip of seaweed with both hands and tightened it.
'Do you _wish_ me to leave you ?' he added.
'You mean that we are to go through the lakes together--as we have been to-day ?' 'No.