And now shall I tell you something of my home?

' It was in Groningen, he told her, in the very heart of the city, and Alethea instantly conjured up a picture of a red brick town house with

square bay windows and ugly plaster work adding an unnecessary decoration.

"There's a garden," went on Sarre, 'not a large one, though, and a shed

or two.

The housekeeper and Nanny you know about already, they're helped by

Juffrouw Bril who comes each mo ming and Nel, who lives in, lastly Al who turns his hand to anything.

Then the children, Sarel and Jacomina, they have their own rooms of

course and a playroom, but they eat their meals with me and we spend as much time together as I can manage.

Oh, and there is my dog.

Rough, the children's puppy, Nero, a couple of cats and a selection of mice, gerbils and Sard's white rat.

' Alethea shuddered inwardly at the idea of the rat but managed a cheerful: "Quite a houseful!

' "Yes.

I'm away from time to time--sometimes for several days.

I hope that you will be able to come with me occasionally.

' "That will be nice.

Have you any family?

' "My mother and father are in New Zealand, visiting my young sister.

She's married to a civil engineer who's on a job there for a year or

so.

' He added: "T have a grandfather, too, a wonderful old man; he always says exactly what he thinks regardless of the circ.u.mstances.

And I have a brother, younger than I--Wien and, he's not married, he

lives in Groningen too, he has a big practice and we work closely together.

He is a leading osteopath; we find that we get splendid results.

I think you will like him.

' Alethea said soberly: "T expect I shall.

I'm a little nervous of meeting Sarel and Jacomina.

' "No need.

I'm sure they'll be delighted to have such a young and beautiful mother.

' "Yes?

But I'm not their mother, Sarre.

' "They have never known her," his voice was harsh, 'they believe that

she died when they were babies.

When they are a little older I shall explain to them, but at present it would be cruel.

' Greatly daring, Alethea asked: "Did you love her very much?

' He didn't answer her.

"Perhaps we should be getting back," he said smoothly.

"Your grandmother said four o'clock, did she not?

Would you be ready to leave directly after tea?

' So she was to marry him, thought Alethea, but she wasn't going to be

allowed to share his life, not that part of it, at any rate.

She didn't mind, she decided, his past was his own concern and indeed she wasn't interested in it.

Now if it had been Nick.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her companion's voice, wanting to know

if she would prefer to fly over to Holland or go by sea.

She wrenched her thoughts back to the present.

"Oh, I don't think I mind, I've never flown; if Granny and I have gone

away on holiday we've always gone somewhere like Scotland or Wales or

the West Country.

' "Then we'll fly, it's very quick and I'll arrange for Al to fetch us from Schipol.

' "Al?

' "T told you about him.

He's my manservant; he--er--joined us ten years ago and is a devoted

friend as well as a splendid worker.

' "Oh--what does he do, exactly?

' Sarre laughed.

"Everything and anything that he wants to do.

And when I'm away he keeps an eye on the children, manages the

finances, mends fuses, baths the dogs, takes the children out for the day if they're free.

I should be lost without him.

' "You have a lot of people in your house, Sarre.

' Alethea spoke doubtfully and wished she knew more about her companion.

"It must seem so, but if you count them up, they're mostly children and animals.

' Which was true enough, she supposed.

Mrs Thomas was awake and waiting for them.

"A pleasant walk, my dears?

' she wanted to know, and beamed at them, looking as near smug as an

elderly lady of her sort could.

It was Sarre who answered her.

"Very pleasant," he agreed.

"The country around here is delightful.

Mrs Thomas, Alethea has agreed to marry me.

I hope that you are pleased.

' "I'm delighted.