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CHAPTER TWO

after he had married Elita's mother. They came back here about fifteen years ago and have lived in this country ever since. It is wicked the way people try to slander decent, patriotic citizens for no reason other than that their hair is dark."
" All the same, Father has forbidden you to see them," Lizbeth said.
" I am interested in Dr. Keen's experiments. He lets me watch him in his laboratory. I am no good at that sort of thing, but it interests me enormously."
" Does Elita watch with you?" Lizbeth asked.
" What if she does?" Francis said sullenly. "God's pity, Lizbeth, but I thought you would understand and stand by me, if no one else would."
" I do understand, Francis. We cannot help where we love or whom, but be careful Father does not find you out. He is angry as it is, because you dislike all the things he cares for ; and he is suspicious of Dr. Keen for all the Queen has been gracious enough to take an interest in his experiments. He is afraid you are falling in love with Elita and so am I."
" And if I am in love with her, what can you do about it?" Francis said angrily.
" Nothing at all," Lizbeth answered, "but oh! Francis, take care of yourself."
" Pray do not be frightened for me," Francis answered. "Father will not find me out. And I am going to visit Dr. Keen and nobody in this world can stop me."
He spoke so loudly and angrily that Lizbeth put her fingers to his lips.
" Hush," she said, "your voice will carry and Father will be curious about what you are saying."
" I am incensed with it all. Help me, little sister. When I go back to Oxford in a month's time, I shall not see Elita all the summer. Help me, there is no one else I can trust."
His appeal melted away all Lizbeth's opposition, as he had known it would. He was weak and spineless and all his life he had relied on other people to cosset him and fight his battles for him and make life comfortable with the least exertion on his part.
His affection for the Keens was the most important thing