V + 

That summer they went down and stayed at Abbots Puissants. They were the only guests. Nell had not been there since she was a child. A deep regret came upon her that she could not have lived there with Vernon. The house was truly beautiful, and so were the stately gardens and the ruined Abbey. + 

George was in the middle of doing up the house and he consulted her taste at every turn. Nell began to feel quite a proprietary interest. She was almost happy again, enjoying the ease and luxury and the freedom from anxiety. + 

True, once she received the money from Abbots Puissants and had invested it she would have a nice little income, but she dreaded the onus of deciding where to live and what to do. She was not really happy with her mother, and all her own friends seemed to have drifted out of touch. She hardly knew where to go or what to do with her life. + 

Abbots Puissants gave her just the peace and rest she needed. She felt sheltered there and safe. She dreaded the return to town. + 

It was the last evening. George had pressed them to remain longer, but Mrs.┬аVereker had declared that they really couldnтАЩt trespass any longer on his hospitality. + 

Nell and George walked together on the long flagged walk. It was a still, balmy evening. + 

тАЬIt has been lovely here,тАЭ said Nell, with a little sigh. тАЬI hate going back.тАЭ + 

тАЬI hate your going back too.тАЭ He paused and then said very quietly: тАЬI suppose thereтАЩs no chance for me, is there, Nell?тАЭ + 

тАЬI donтАЩt know what you mean?тАЭ + 

But she did knowтБатАФshe knew at once. + 

тАЬI bought this house because I hoped some day youтАЩd live here. I wanted you to have the home that was rightfully yours. Are you going to spend your whole life nursing a memory, Nell? Do you think heтБатАФVernonтБатАФwould wish it? I never think of the dead like thatтБатАФas grudging happiness to the living. I think he would want you to be looked after and taken care of now that he isnтАЩt here to do it.тАЭ + 

She said in a low voice: тАЬI canтАЩtтБатАКтБатАж I canтАЩt.тАЭ + 

тАЬYou mean you canтАЩt forget him? I know that. But IтАЩd be very good to you, Nell. YouтАЩd be wrapped round with love and care. I think I could make you happyтБатАФhappier, at any rate, than youтАЩll be facing life by yourself. I do honestly and truly believe that Vernon would wish it.тАЭ + 

Would he? She wondered. She thought George was right. People might call it disloyalty, but it wasnтАЩt. That life of hers with Vernon was something by itselfтБатАФnothing could touch it ever. + 

But oh! to be looked after, cared for, petted and understood. She always had been fond of George. + 

She answered very softly: тАЬYes.тАЭ + 