the Veian set and some very fine cameos； and some pale pink corals； and two diamond rings with quite large stones in them。 And then； of course； she had to tell him that； being a sensible woman； she had kept her jewellery rolled up in a pair of corsets； and there it was still as safe as anything。〃
〃And the jepty？〃
〃Oh no； dear；〃 said Miss Viner； 〃it would have been too light a weight then。 My mother was a very intelligent woman； she saw to that。 She kept her buttons in the jewel…case； and a very handy place it was。 Boot buttons in the top tray； trouser buttons in the second tray； and assorted buttons below。 Curiously enough； my father was quite annoyed with her。 He said he didn't like deceit。 But I mustn't go chattering on； you want to go and ring up your friend； and mind you choose a nice piece of steak； and tell Ellen she is not to have holes in her stockings when she waits at lunch。〃
〃Is her name Ellen or Helen； Miss Viner？ I thought …〃
Miss Viner closed her eyes。
〃I can sound my h's； dear； as well as anyone； but Helen is not a suitable name for a servant。 I don't know what the mothers in the lower classes are ing to nowadays。〃
The rain had cleared away when Knighton arrived at the cottage。 The pale fitful sunshine shone down on it and burnished Katherine's head as she stood in the doorway to wele him。 He came up to her quickly； almost boyishly。
〃I say； I hope you don't mind。 I simply had to see you again soon。 I hope the friend you are staying with does not mind。〃
〃e in and make friends with her；〃 said Katherine。 〃She can be most alarming； but you will soon find that she has the softest heart in the world。〃
Miss Viner was enthroned majestically in the drawing…room； wearing a plete set of the cameos which