She had felt less serene since the day before, and John Derringham and his words and looks absorbed her thoughts.

The home of Aphrodite was now in a chest in the long gallery, of which she kept the key, and as this old room was always empty--none of the servants, not even Priscilla, caring about visiting it--haunted, it was, they said--she had plenty of time to spend what hours she liked with her treasure without having to do so by stealth, as in the beginning.

For any place indoors she loved the long gallery better than any other place.

The broken window panes had been mended when the turn for the better came for the whole house, and now she herself kept it all dusted and tidy and used it as a sitting-room and work-room as well; and, above all, it was the temple of the goddess wherein was her shrine.
This day when Aphrodite was uncovered from her blue silk wrappings, her whole expression seemed to be one of appeal; however Halcyone would hold her, in high or low light, the eyes appeared to be asking her something.
"What is it, sweet mother and friend ?" she said.

"Do you not want me to leave you to-day?
If so, indeed I will not.