She had thought, and trembled at the thought, that possibly Cynthia might kiss her when she came or went.

She had felt, with a thrill of spirit, the touch of Cynthia's soft lips on hers, she had smelt the violets about her clothes.

Now it was all spoiled.

She remembered things which she had heard about Mr.Risley's friendship with Cynthia, how he had danced attendance upon her for half a lifetime, and thought that she did not like him.

She looked at his smiling, grizzled, blond face with distrust.