"Yes, of course it's wrong," he said, "for the people who keep consciences." "Oh, but--" Jeanie remonstrated, and then something in his face stopped her.

She flushed and murmured in confusion, "Thank you for!--for kissing me!" "Don't mention it!" said Piers, with a laugh.
"I should like to kiss you if I may," said Jeanie.

"You have been so very kind." He bent his face to hers and received the kiss.

"You're a nice little girl," he said, and there was an odd note of feeling in the words for all their lightness that made Jeanie aware that in some fashion he was moved.
"I don't think he is quite--quite happy, do you ?" she said to Avery that night when the worst of her troubles were over, and she was safely back at the Vicarage.
And Avery answered thoughtfully, "Perhaps--not quite.".