Fleda gave a bold dramatic laugh. "Thank you, my love—with all the best things at Ricks!" "Perhaps you've a right to say that you left it a little to mine." Mixed up with the spoils there, rising before him as if she were in a manner their keeper, she felt that she must absolutely dissociate herself. Mrs. Gereth had made it impossible to do anything but give her away. "I can only tell you that, on my side, I left it to her. I never dreamed either that she would pick out so many things."!

"We thought it very likely you would have come back. We knew of course of your having been at Ricks. If I didn't find you I thought I might perhaps find Mr. Vetch," Mrs. Brigstock went on. "Not a word."

"Yesterday?" "All day long," Fleda smiled. Owen was baffled but a few seconds; he had thought of everything. "Why, that's just where you come in."