Do what you think best; I leave it all to you." She went away with very mixed feelings, and was glad to reach the shelter of the woods.

Her face was hot and her nerves were jarred, but when she got calmer she laughed--a rather strained laugh.

It was a lover she wanted, not a manager, and unless Thirlwell was strangely dull she had been firmly repulsed.

She hoped he was dull, but it seemed impossible that he had not understood.

Then it was significant that he had shown some strain and she found comfort in this.