Eliza spent the first few days of her separation playing through the previous week in her head, trying to figure out what had led Higgins to send her away. She could recall nothing in her behavior that would have led to her dimissal.

She was content to stay with Mrs. Higgins. She really was a kindly old lady who cared for Eliza dearly. Eliza had been hired as her companion, to help her tend her plants and to read to her, as many elder ladies often hired women in those days. So she made an honest attempt to be happy with her new station. Eliza was now an independelty wealthy, newly educated lady and there was nothing that should defer her happines. Not her father. Not Freddy.

Not him.

And the days stretched out until a month had passed. The professor stopped by occasionally for tea in order to see his mother. Eliza would frequently take tea with them, but there was an awkwardness in the air and he scarcely spoke to her, except to ponder the location of a missing item. Eventually she began to avoid his visits, in an effort to hide the atrocious pain she felt whenever she saw him.

One warm day, Eliza sat in the garden with Mrs. Higgins, as the matron plucked a needlepoint. She cleared her throat and asked Eliza a very personal question.

"My dear, Why did you refuse young Eynsford-Hill? He's a very handsome boy and I'm sure he could have made you very comfortable."

Eliza looked stunned. She had never expected to have to divulge her personal feelings towards any one. After a moment of repose, she responded "I simply don't harbour the same tenacity of feeling towards him that he possessed."

It was an educated and balanced response and Eliza prided herself on her fair answer.

"Well, that's fair Eliza. You're very lucky. In my day women really had no say in the matter."

Eliza sighed. "Yes, well thank heavens for that. I don't want to be simply comfortable."

Mrs. Higgins thought for a brief moment before she finally decided to address the elephant in the room. "I know he cares for you dear. It may be in his way. But he cares."

And she touched Eliza's hand so tenderly that they both knew that the 'he' in question was not Freddy. Eliza's heart began to race. She had so many questions. Her first instinct was to deny Mrs. Higgins's brazen assumption, but instead, she relented.

"How did you know?"

Mrs. Higgins chuckled. "I am a great judge of human behavior, Eliza. When you are as old as I, you will learn to observe them for yourself. You both have the distinction of being the most stubborn and independent people I have ever known, but you both need each other. It may not be the love of the poets, Eliza, but it is love."

Eliza exhaled. The truth was in the air and she felt relieved that the secret was no longer weighing upon her heart.

Mrs. Higgins clucked her tongue, "My dear, you have the most unfortunate taste in men."

Eliza coyly replied "I suppose it's for the best that I remain un-married."

The two women shared a much needed laugh.