GREATHEART

by

ETHEL M. DELL

Author of the Hundredth Chance, The Lamp in the Desert, The Swindler, etc. 

1918

"NOW MR. GREATHEART WAS A STRONG MAN. "--_The Pilgrims Progress_. 

I Dedicate This Book to A. G. C. 

Friend of My Heart and to the Memory of All the Happy Days We have SpentTogether. 

CONTENTS

PART I

 I. The Wanderer II. The Looker-On III. The Search IV. The Magician V. Apollo VI. Cinderella VII. The Broken Spell VIII. Mr. Greatheart IX. The Runaway Colt. X. The House of Bondage XI. Olympus XII. The Wine of the Gods XIII. Friendship in the Desert XIV. The Purple Empress XV. The Mountain Crest XVI. The Second Draught XVII. The Unknown Force XVIII. The Escape of the Prisoner XIX. The Cup of Bitterness XX. The Vision of Greatheart XXI. The Return XXII. The Valley of the Shadow XXIII. The Way Back XXIV. The Lights of a City XXV. The True Gold XXVI. The Call of Apollo XXVII. The Golden Maze XXVIII. The Lesson XXIX. The Captive XXX. The Second Summons

PART II

 I. Cinderella's Prince II. Wedding Arrangements III. Despair IV. The New Home V. The Watcher VI. The Wrong Road VII. Doubting Castle VIII. THE VICTORY IX. THE BURDEN X. THE HOURS OF DARKNESS XI. THE NET XII. THE DIVINE SPARK XIII. THE BROKEN HEART XIV. THE WRATH OF THE GODS XV. THE SAPPHIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP XVI. THE OPEN DOOR XVII. THE LION IN THE PATH XVIII. THE TRUTH XIX. THE FURNACE XX. THE COMING OF GREATHEART XXI. THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION XXII. SPOKEN IN JEST XXIII. THE KNIGHT IN DISGUISE XXIV. THE MOUNTAIN SIDE XXV. THE TRUSTY FRIEND XXVI. THE LAST SUMMONS XXVII. THE MOUNTAIN-TOP XXVIII. CONSOLATION XXIX. THE SEVENTH HEAVEN

PART I

CHAPTER I

THE WANDERER. 

Biddy Maloney stood at the window of her mistress's bedroom, and surveyedthe world with eyes of stern disapproval. There was nothing of the smartlady's maid about Biddy. She abominated smart lady's maids. A flyawayFrench cap and an apron barely reaching to the knees were to her the veryessence of flighty impropriety. There was just such a creature inattendance upon Lady Grace de Vigne who occupied the best suite of roomsin the hotel, and Biddy very strongly resented her existence. In her ownmind she despised her as a shameless hussy wholly devoid of all ideas of"dacency. " Her resentment was partly due to the fact that the indecentone belonged to the party in possession of the best suite, which they hadoccupied some three weeks before Biddy and her party had appeared on thescene. 

It was all Master Scott's fault, of course. He ought to have written toengage rooms sooner, but then to be sure the decision to migrate to thiswinter paradise in the Alps had been a sudden one. That had been SirEustace's fault. He was always so sudden in his ways. 

Biddy sighed impatiently. Sir Eustace had always been hard to manage. Shehad never really conquered him even in the days when she had made himstand in the corner and go without sugar in his tea. She well rememberedthe shocking occasion on which he had flung sugar and basin together intothe fire so that the others might be made to share his enforcedabstinence. She believed he was equal to committing a similar act ofviolence if baulked even now. But he never was baulked. At thirty-five hereigned supreme in his own world. No one ever crossed him, unless it wereMaster Scott, and of course no one could be seriously angry with him, poor dear young man! He was so gentle and kind. A faint, maternal smilerelaxed Biddy's grim lips. She became aware that the white world belowwas a-flood with sunshine. 

The snowy mountains that rose against the vivid blue were dream-like intheir beauty. Where the sun shone upon them, their purity was almost toodazzling to behold. It was a relief to rest the eyes upon the greatpatches of pine-woods that clothed some of the slopes. 

"I wonder if Miss Isabel will be happy here, " mused Biddy. 

That to her mind was the only thing on earth that really mattered, practically the only thing for which she ever troubled her Maker. Her ownwants were all amalgamated in this one great desire of her heart--thather darling's poor torn spirit should be made happy. She had whollyceased to remember that she had ever wanted anything else. It was forMiss Isabel that she desired the best rooms, the best carriages, the best of everything. Even her love for Master Scott--poor dear youngman!--depended largely upon the faculty he possessed for consoling andinteresting Miss Isabel. Anyone who did that earned Biddy's undyingrespect and gratitude. Of the rest of the world--save for a passingdisapproval--she was scarcely aware. Nothing else mattered in the sameway. In fact nothing else really mattered at all. 

Ah! A movement from the bed at last! Her quick ears, ever on the alert, warned her on the instant. She turned from the window with suchmother-love shining in her old brown face under its severe white cap asmade it as beautiful in its way as the paradise without. 

"Why, Miss Isabel darlint, how you've slept then!" she said, in the soft, crooning voice which was kept for this one beloved being alone. 

Two white arms were stretched wide outside the bed. Two dark eyes, mysteriously shadowed and sunken, looked up to hers. 

"Has he gone already, Biddy?" a low voice asked. 

"Only a little way, darlint. He's just round the corner, " said Biddytenderly. "Will ye wait a minute while I give ye your tay?"

There was a spirit-kettle singing merrily in the room. She busied herselfabout it, her withered face intent over the task. 

The white arms fell upon the blue travelling-rug that Biddy had spreadwith loving care outside the bed the night before to add to hermistress's comfort. "When did he go, Biddy?" the low voice asked, andthere was a furtive quality in the question as if it were designed fornone but Biddy's ears. "Did he--did he leave no message?"

"Ah, to be sure!" said Biddy, turning her face for a moment. "And thelikes of me to have forgotten it! He sent ye his best love, darlint, andye were to eat a fine breakfast before ye went out. "

The sad eyes smiled at her from the bed, half-gratified, half-incredulous, like the eyes of a lonely child who listens to afairy-tale. "It was like him to think of that, Biddy. But--I wish he hadstayed a little longer. I must get up and go and find him. "

"Hasn't he been with ye through the night?" asked Biddy, bent again toher task. 

"Nearly all night long!" The answer came on a note of triumph, yet therewas also a note of challenge in it also. 

"Then what more would ye have?" said Biddy wisely. "Leave him alone for abit, darlint! Husbands are better without their wives sometimes. "

A low laugh came from the bed. "Oh, Biddy, I must tell him that! He wouldlove your _bon-mots_. Did he--did he say when he would be back?"

"That he did not, " said Biddy, still absorbed over the kettle. "Butthere's nothing in that at all. Ye can't be always expecting a man togive account of himself. Now, mavourneen, I'll give ye your tay, andye'll be able to get up when ye feel like it. Ah! There's Master Scott!And would ye like him to come in and have a cup with ye?"

Three soft knocks had sounded on the door. The woman in the bed raisedherself, and her hair fell in glory around her, hair that at twenty-fivehad been raven-black, hair that at thirty-two was white as the snowoutside the window. 

"Is that you, Stumpy dear? Come in! Come in!" she called. 

Her voice was hollow and deep. She turned her face to the door--abeautiful, wasted face with hungry eyes that watched and waitedperpetually. 

The door opened very quietly and unobtrusively, and a small, insignificant man came in. He was about the size of the average schoolboyof fifteen, and he walked with a slight limp, one leg being a trifleshorter than the other. Notwithstanding this defect, his generalappearance was one of extreme neatness, from his colourless but carefullytrained moustache and small trim beard to his well-shod feet. Hisclothes---like his beard--fitted him perfectly. 

His close-cropped hair was also colourless and grew somewhat far back onhis forehead. His pale grey eyes had a tired expression, as if they hadlooked too long or too earnestly upon the turmoil of life. 

He came to the bedside and took the thin white hand outstretched to himon which a wedding ring hung loose. He walked without awkwardness; therewas even dignity in his carriage. 

He bent to kiss the uplifted face. "Have you slept well, dear?"

Her arms reached up and clasped his neck. "Oh, Stumpy, yes! I have had alovely night. Basil has been with me. He has gone out now; but I am goingto look for him presently. "

"Many happy returns of the day to ye, Master Scott!" put in Biddy ratherpointedly. 

"Ah yes. It is your birthday. I had forgotten. Forgive me, Stumpydarling! You know I wish you always the very, very best. " The clingingarms held him more closely, "Thank you, Isabel. " Scott's voice was as tired as his eyes, and yet ithad a certain quality of strength. "Of course it's a very importantoccasion. How are we going to celebrate it?"

"I have a present for you somewhere. Biddy, where is it?" Isabel's voicehad a note of impatience in it. 

"It's here, darlint! It's here!" Biddy bustled up to the bed with aparcel. 

Isabel took it from her and turned to Scott. "It's only a silly oldcigarette-case, dear, but I thought of it all myself. How old are younow, Stumpy?"

"I am thirty, " he answered, smiling. "Thank you very much, dear. It'sjust the thing I wanted--only too good!"

"As if anything could be too good for you!" his sister said tenderly. "Has Eustace remembered?"

"Oh yes. Eustace has given me a saddle, but as he didn't think I shouldwant it here, it is to be presented when we get home again. " He sat downon the side of the bed, still inspecting the birthday offering. 

"Haven't you had anything from anyone else?" Isabel asked, after amoment. 

He shook his head. "Who else is there to bother about a minnow like me?"

"You're not a minnow, Scott. And didn't--didn't Basil give you anything?"

Scott's tired eyes looked at her with a sudden fixity. He said nothing;but a piteous look came into Isabel's face under his steady gaze, and shedropped her own as if ashamed. 

"Whisht, Master Scott darlint, for the Lord's sake, don't ye go upsettingher!" warned Biddy in a sibilant whisper. "I had trouble enough lastnight. If it hadn't been for the draught, she wouldn't have slept at all, at all. "

Scott did not look at her. "You should have called me, " he said, andleaning forward took his sister's hand. "Isabel, wouldn't you like tocome out and see the skaters? There is some wonderful luging going ontoo. "

She did not raise her eyes; her whole demeanour had changed. She seemedto droop as if all animation had gone; "I don't know, " she saidlistlessly. "I think I would almost as soon stay here. "

"Have your tay, darlint!" coaxed Biddy, on her other side. 

"Eustace will be coming to look for you if you don't, " said Scott. 

She started at that, and gave a quick shiver. "Oh no, I don't wantEustace! Don't let him come here, Stumpy, will you?"

"Shall I go and tell him you are coming then?" asked Scott, his eyesstill steadily watching her. 

She nodded. "Yes, yes. But I don't want to be made. Basil never made medo things. "

Scott rose. "I will wait for you downstairs. Thank you, Biddy. Yes, I'lldrink that first. No tea in the world ever tastes like your brew. "

"Get along with your blarney, Master Scott!" protested Biddy. "And youand Sir Eustace mustn't tire Miss Isabel out. Remember, she's just come along journey, and it's not wonderful at all that she don't feel likeexerting herself. "

A red fire of resentment smouldered in the old woman's eyes, but Scottpaid no attention to it. "You'd better get some sleep yourself, Biddy, ifyou can, " he said. "No more, thanks. You will be out in an hour then, Isabel?"

"Perhaps, " she said. 

He paused, standing beside her. "If you are not out in an hour I shallcome and fetch you, " he said. 

She put forth an appealing hand like a child. "I will come out, Stumpy. Iwill come out, " she said tremulously. 

He pressed the hand for a moment. "In an hour then, I want to show youeverything. There is plenty to be seen. "

He turned to the door, looked back with a parting smile, and went out. 

Isabel did not see the smile. She was staring moodily downwards with eyesthat only looked within. 

CHAPTER II

THE LOOKER-ON

Down on the skating-rink below the hotel, a crowd of people were makingmerry. The ice was in splendid condition. It sparkled in the sun like asheet of frosted glass, and over it the skaters glided with much mirthand laughter. 

Scott stood on the road above and watched them. There were a good manyaccomplished performers among them, and there were also severalbeginners. But all seemed alike infected with the gaiety of the place. There was not one face that did not wear a smile. 

It was an invigorating scene. From a slope of the white mountain-sidebeyond the rink the shouts and laughter of higers came through thecrystal air. A string of luges was shooting down the run, and even asScott caught sight of it the foremost came to grief, and a dozen peoplerolled ignominiously in the snow. He smiled involuntarily. He seemed tohave stepped into an atmosphere of irresponsible youth. The air was fullof the magic fluid. It stirred his pulses like a draught of champagne. 

Then his eyes returned to the rink, and almost immediately singled outthe best skater there. A man in a white sweater, dark, handsome, magnificently made, supremely sure of himself, darted with the swiftgrace of a swallow through the throng. His absolute confidence andsplendid physique made him conspicuous. He executed elaborate figureswith such perfect ease and certainty of movement that many turned to lookat him in astonished admiration. 

"Great Scott!" said a cracked voice at Scott's shoulder. 

He turned sharply, and met the frank regard of a rosy-faced schoolboy alittle shorter than himself. 

"Look at that bloomin' swell!" said the new-comer in tones of deepdisgust. "He seems to have sprouted in the night. I've no use for thesestar skaters myself. They're all so beastly sidey. "

He addressed Scott as an equal, and as an equal Scott made reply. "P'rapswhen you're a star skater yourself, you'll change your mind about 'em. "

The boy grinned. "Ah! P'raps! You're a new chum, aren't you?"

"Very new, " said Scott. 

"Can you skate?" asked the lad. "But of course you can. I suppose you'reanother dark horse. It's too bad, you know; just as Dinah and I arebeginning to fancy ourselves at it. We began right at the beginning too. "

"Consider yourself lucky!" said Scott rather briefly. 

"What do you mean?" The boy's eyes flashed over him intelligently, greeneyes humorously alert. 

Scott glanced downwards. "I mean my legs are not a pair, so I can't evenbegin. "

"Oh, bad luck, sir!" The equality vanished from the boy's voice. Hebecame suddenly almost deferential, and Scott realized that he was nolonger regarded as a comrade. "Still"--he hesitated--"you can luge, Isuppose?"

"I don't quite see myself, " said Scott, looking across once more to themerry group on the distant run. 

"Any idiot can do that, " the boy protested, then turned suddenly a deepred. "Oh, lor, I didn't mean that! Hi, Dinah!" He turned to cover hisembarrassment and sent a deafening yell at the sun-bathed _façade_ of thehotel. "Are you never coming, you cuckoo? Half the morning's gonealready!"

"Coming, Billy!" at once a clear gay voice made answer, and the merriestface that Scott had ever seen made a sudden appearance at an open window. "Darling Billy, do keep your hair on for just two minutes longer! Yvonnehas been trying on my fancy dress, but she's nearly done. "

The neck and shoulders below the laughing face were bare and a bare armwaved in a propitiatory fashion ere it vanished. 

"Looks as if the fancy dress is a minus quantity, " observed Billy to hiscompanion with a grin. "I didn't see any of it, did you?"

Scott tried not to laugh. "Your sister?" he asked. 

Billy nodded affirmation. "She ain't a bad urchin, " he observed, "assisters go. We're staying here along with the de Vignes. Ever met 'em?Lady Grace is a holy terror. Her husband is a horrible stuck-up bore ofan Anglo-Indian, --thinks himself everybody, and tells the most awfulhowlers. Rose--that's the daughter--is by way of being very beautiful. There she goes now; see? That golden-haired girl in red! She's another ofyour beastly star skaters. I'll bet she'll have that big bounder cuttingcapers with her before the day's out. "

"Think so?" said Scott. 

Billy nodded again. "I suppose he's a prince at least. My word, doesn'the fancy himself? Look at that now? Side--sheer side!"

The skater under discussion had just executed a most intricate figure notfar from them. Having accomplished it with that unerring and somewhatblatant confidence that so revolted Billy's schoolboy soul, hestraightened his tall figure, and darted in a straight line for the endof the rink above which they stood. His hands were in his pockets. Hisbearing was superb. He described a complete circle below them before hebrought himself to a stand. Then he lifted his dark arrogant face. Hewore a short clipped moustache which by no means hid the strength of awell-modelled though slightly sneering mouth. His eyes were somewhatdeeply set, and shone extraordinarily blue under straight black browsthat met. The man's whole expression was one of dominant self-assertion. He bore himself like a king. 

"Well, Stumpy, " he said, "where's Isabel?"

Scott's companion jumped, and beat a swift retreat. Scott smiled a littleas he made reply. 

"I have been up to see her. She will be out presently. Biddy had to giveher a sleeping-draught last night. "

"Damn!" said the other in a fierce undertone. "Did she call you first?"

"No. "

"Then why the devil didn't she? I shall sack that woman. Isabel hasn't achance to get well with a mischievous old hag like that always with her. "

"I think Isabel would probably die without her, " Stumpy responded in hisquiet voice which presented a vivid contrast to his brother's stormyutterance. "And Biddy would probably die too--if she consented to go, which I doubt. "

"Oh, damn Biddy! The sooner she dies the better. She's nothing but aperpetual nuisance. What is Isabel like this morning?"

Scott hesitated, and his brother frowned. 

"That's enough. What else could any one expect? Look here, Scott! Thisthing has got to end. I shall take that sleeping-stuff away. "

"If you can get hold of it, " put in Scott drily. 

"You must get hold of it. You have ample opportunity. It's all very wellto preach patience, but she has been taking slow poison for seven years. I am certain of it. It's ridiculous! It's monstrous! It's got to end. " Hespoke with impatient finality, his blue eyes challenging remonstrance. 

Scott made none. Only after a moment he said, "If you take away one prop, old chap, you must provide another. A broken thing can't stand alone. Butneed we discuss it now? As I told you, she is coming out presently, andthis glorious air is bound to make a difference to her. It tastes likewine. "

It was at this point that the golden-haired girl in red suddenly glidedup and sat down on the bank a few yards away to adjust a skate. 

Sir Eustace turned his head, and a sparkle came into his eyes. He watchedher for a moment, then left his brother without further words. 

"Can I do that for you?" he asked. 

She lifted a flushed face. "Oh, how kind of you! But I have just managedit. How lovely the ice is this morning!"

She rose with the words, balancing herself with a grace as finished ashis own, and threw him a dazzling smile of gratitude. Scott, from hispost of observation on the bank, decided that she certainly wasbeautiful. Her face was almost faultless. And yet it seemed to him thatthere was infinitely more of witchery in the face that had laughed fromthe window a few minutes before. Almost unconsciously he was waiting tosee the owner of that face emerge. 

He watched the inevitable exchange of commonplaces between his brotherand the beautiful Miss de Vigne whose graciousness plainly indicated herwillingness for a nearer acquaintance, and presently he saw them moveaway side by side. 

"What did I tell you?" said Billy's voice at his shoulder. "But you mighthave said that chap belonged to you. How was I to know?"

"Oh, quite so, " said Scott. "Pray don't apologize! He doesn't belong tome either. It is I who belong to him. "

Billy's green eyes twinkled appreciatively. "You're his brother, aren'tyou?"

Scott looked at him. "Now how on earth did you know that?"

He looked back with his frank, engaging grin. "Oh, there's the same hangabout you. I can't tell you what it is. Dinah would know directly. You'dbetter ask her. "

"I don't happen to have the pleasure of your sister's acquaintance, "observed Scott, with his quiet smile. 

"Oh, I'll soon introduce you if that's what you want, " said Billy. "Comealong! There she is now, just crossing the road. By the way, I don'tthink you told me your name. "

"My name is Studley--Scott Studley, Stumpy to my friends, " said Scott, inhis whimsical, rather weary fashion. 

Billy laughed. "You're a sport, " he said. "When I know you a bit better, I shall remember that. Hi, Dinah! What a deuce of a time you've been. This is Mr. Studley, and he saw you at the window without anything on. "

"I'm sure he didn't! Billy, how dare you?" Dinah's brown face burned anindignant red; she looked at Scott with instant hostility. 

"Oh, please!" he protested mildly. "That's not quite fair on me. "

"Serves you right, " declared Billy with malicious delight. "You played mea shabby trick, you know. "

Dinah's brow cleared. She smiled upon Scott. "Isn't he a horrid littlepig? How do you do? Isn't it a ripping day? It makes you want to climb, doesn't it? I wish I'd got an alpenstock. "

"Can't you get one anywhere?" asked Scott. "I thought they were always tobe had. "

"Yes, but they cost money, " sighed Dinah. "And I haven't got any. Itdoesn't really matter though. There are lots of other things to do. Areyou keen on luging? I am. "

Her bright eyes smiled into his with the utmost friendliness, and he knewthat she would not commit Billy's mistake and ask him if he skated. 

Her smile was infectious. The charm of it lingered after it had passed. Her eyes were green like Billy's, only softer. They had a great deal ofsweetness in them, and a spice--just a spice of devilry as well. The restof the face would have been quite unremarkable, but the laughter-lovingmouth and pointed chin wholly redeemed it from the commonplace. She was alittle brown thing like a woodland creature, and her dainty air and quickways put Scott irresistibly in mind of a pert robin. 

In reply to her question he told her that he had arrived only the nightbefore. "And I am quite a tyro, " he added. "I have been watching theluging on that slope, and thanking all the stars that control my destinythat I wasn't there. "

She laughed, showing a row of small white teeth. "Oh, you'd love it onceyou started. It's a heavenly sport if the run isn't bumpy. Isn't this aglorious atmosphere? It makes one feel so happy. "

She came and stood by his side to watch the skaters. Billy was seated onthe bank, impatiently changing his boots. 

"I'm not going to wait for you any longer, Dinah, " he said. "I'm fed up. "

"Don't then!" she retorted. "I never asked you to. "

"What a lie!" said Billy, with all a brother's gallantry. 

She threw him a sister's look of scorn and deigned no rejoinder. But in amoment the incident was forgotten. "Oh, look there!" she suddenlyexclaimed. "Isn't that just like Rose de Vigne? She's always sure toappropriate the most handsome man within sight. I've been watching thatman from my window. He is a perfect Apollo, and skates divinely. And nowshe's got him!"

Deep disgust was audible in her voice. Billy looked up with a sidewaysgrin. "You don't suppose he'd look at a sparrow like you, do you?" hesaid. "He prefers a swan, you bet. "

"Be quiet, Billy!" commanded Dinah, making an ineffectual dig at him withher foot. "I don't want him to look at me. I hate men. But it is too badthe way Rose always chooses the best. It's just the same with everything. And I long--oh, I do long sometimes--to cut her out!"

"I should myself, " said Scott unexpectedly. "But why don't you. I'm sureyou could. "

She threw him a whimsical smile. "I!" she said. "Why that's about aslikely as--" she stopped short in some confusion. 

He laughed a little. "You mean I might as soon hope to cut out Apollo?But the cases are not parallel, I assure you. Besides, Apollo happens tobe my brother, which makes a difference. "

"Oh, is he your brother? What a good thing you told me!" laughed Dinah. "I might have said something rude about him in a minute. "

"Like me!" said Billy, stumbling to his feet. "I made a most horrificblunder, didn't I, Mr. Studley? I called him a bounder!"

Dinah looked at him witheringly. "You would!" she said. "Well, I hope youapologized. "

Billy stuck out his tongue at her. "I didn't then!" he returned, andskated elegantly away on one leg. 

"Billy, " remarked Dinah dispassionately, "is not really such a horridlittle beast as he seems. "

Scott smiled his courteous smile. "I had already gathered that, " he said. 

Her green eyes darted him a swift look, as if to ascertain if he were inearnest. Then: "That was very nice of you, " she said. "I wonder how youknew. "

He still smiled, but without much mirth. "A looker-on sees a good manythings, you know, " he said. 

Dinah's eyes flashed understanding. She said no more. 

CHAPTER III

THE SEARCH

When Isabel came slowly forth at length from the hotel door whither Biddyhad conducted her, Scott was sitting alone on a bench in the sunshine. 

He rose at once to join her. "Why, how quick you have been! Or else thetime flies here. Eustace is still skating. I had no idea he was soaccomplished. See, there he is!"

But Isabel set her haggard face towards the mountain-road that wound upbeyond the hotel. "I am going to look for Basil, " she said. 

"It is waste of time, " said Scott quietly. 

But he did not attempt to withstand her. They turned side by side up thehard, snowy track. 

For some time they walked in silence. At a short distance from the hotel, the road ascended steeply through a pine-wood, dark and mysterious as anenchanted forest, through which there rose the sound of a rushing stream. 

Scott paused to listen, but instantly his sister laid an imperious handupon him. 

"I can't wait, " she said. "I am sure he is just round the corner. I heardhim whistle. "

He moved on in response to her insistence. "I heard that whistle too, " hesaid. "But it was a mountain-boy. "

He was right. At a curve in the road, they met a young Swiss lad who wentby them with a smile and salute, and fell to whistling again when he hadpassed. 

Isabel pressed on in silence. She had started in feverish haste, but herspeed was gradually slackening. She looked neither to right nor left; hereyes perpetually strained forward as though they sought for somethingjust beyond their range of vision. For a while Scott limped beside herwithout speaking, but at last as they sighted the end of the pine-wood hegently broke the silence. 

"Isabel dear, I think we must turn back very soon. "

"Oh, why?" she said. "Why? You always say that when--" There came a breakin her voice, and she ceased to speak. 

Her pace quickened so that he had some difficulty in keeping up with her, but he made no protest. With the utmost patience he also pressed on. 

But it was not long before her strength began to fail. She stumbled onceor twice, and he put a supporting hand under her elbow. As they nearedthe edge of the pines it became evident that the road dwindled to a meremountain-path winding steeply upwards through the snow. The sun shonedazzlingly upon the great waste of whiteness. 

Very suddenly Isabel stopped. "He can't have gone this way after all, "she said, and turned to her brother with eyes of tragic hopelessness. "Stumpy, Stumpy, what shall I do?"

He drew her hand very gently through his arm. "We will go back, dear, " hesaid. 

A low sob escaped her, but she did not weep. "If I only had the strengthto go on and on and on!" she said. "I know I should find him some daythen. "

"You will find him some day, " he answered with grave assurance. "But notyet. "

They went back to the turn in the road where the sound of the stream roselike fairy music from an unseen glen. The snow lay pure and untroddenunder the trees. 

Scott paused again, and this time Isabel made no remonstrance. They stoodtogether listening to the rush of the torrent. 

"How beautiful this place must be in springtime!" he said. 

She gave a sharp shiver. "It is like a dead world now. "

"A world that will very soon rise again, " he answered. 

She looked at him with vague eyes. "You are always talking of theresurrection, " she said. 

"When I am with you, I am often thinking of it, " he said with simplicity. 

A haunted look came into her face. "But that implies--death, " she said, her voice very low. 

"And what is Death?" said Scott gently, as if he reasoned with a child. "Do you think it is more than a step further into Life? The passing of aboundary, that is all. "

"But there is no returning!" she protested piteously. "It must be morethan that. "

"My dear, there is never any returning, " he said gravely. "None of us cango backwards. Yesterday is but a step away, but can we retrace that step?No, not one of us. "

She made a sudden, almost fierce gesture. "Oh, to go back!" she cried. "Oh, to go back! Why should we be forced blindly forward when we onlywant to go back?"

"That is the universal law, " said Scott. "That is God's Will. "

"It is cruel! It is cruel!" she wailed. 

"No, it is merciful. So long as there is Death in the world we must goon. We have got to get past Death. "

She turned her tragic eyes upon him. "And what then? What then?"

Scott was gazing steadfastly into her face of ravaged beauty. "Then--theresurrection, " he said. "There are millions of people in the world, Isabel, who are living out their lives solely for the sake of that, because they know that if they only keep on, the Resurrection will giveback to them all that they have lost. My dear, it is not going back thatcould help anyone. The past is past, the present is passing; there isonly the future that can restore all things. We are bound to go forward, and thank God for it!"

Her eyes fell slowly before his. She did not speak, but after a momentgave him her hand with a shadowy smile. They continued the descent sideby side. 

Another curve of the road brought them within sight of the hotel. 

Scott broke the silence. "Here is Eustace coming to meet us!"

She looked up with a start, and into her face came a curious, veiledexpression, half furtive, half afraid. 

"Don't tell him, Stumpy!" she said quickly. 

"What, dear?"

"Don't tell him I have been looking for Basil this morning. He--hewouldn't understand. And--and--you know--I must look for him sometimes. Ishall lose him altogether if I don't. "

"Shall we pretend we are enjoying ourselves?" said Scott with a smile. 

She answered him with feverish earnestness. "Yes--yes! Let us do that!And, Stumpy, Stumpy dear, you are good, you can pray. I can't, you know. Will you--will you pray sometimes--that I may find him?"

"I shall pray that your eyes may be opened, Isabel, " he answered, "sothat you may know you have never really lost him. "

She smiled again, her fleeting, phantom smile. "Don't pray for theimpossible, Stumpy!" she said. "I--I think that would be a mistake. "

"Is anything impossible?" said Scott. 

He raised his hand before she could make any answer, and sent a cheeryholloa down to his brother who waved a swift response. They quickenedtheir steps to meet him. 

Eustace was striding up the hill with the easy swing of a giant. He heldout both hands to Isabel as he drew near. She pulled herself free fromScott, and went to him as one drawn by an unseen force. 

"Ah, that's right, " he said, and bent to kiss her. "I'm glad you've beenfor a walk. But you might have come and spoken to me first. I was only onthe rink. "

"I didn't want to see a lot of people, " said Isabel, shrinking a little. "I--I don't like so many strangers, Eustace. "

"Oh, nonsense!" he said lightly. "You have been buried too long. It'stime you came out of your shell. I shan't take you home again till youhave quite got over that. "

His tone was kindly but it held authority. Isabel attempted no protest. Only she looked away over the sparkling world of white and blue withsomething near akin to despair in her eyes. 

Scott took out his cigarette-case, and handed it to his brother. "Isabel's birthday present to me!" he said. 

Eustace examined it with a smile. "Very nice! Did you think of it all byyourself, Isabel?"

"No, " she said with dreary listlessness. "Biddy reminded me. "

Eustace's face changed. He frowned slightly and gave the case back to hisbrother. 

"Have a cigarette!" said Scott. 

He took one absently, and Scott did the same. 

"How did you get on with the lady in red?" he asked. 

Eustace threw him a glance half-humorous, half-malicious. "If it comes tothat, how did you get on with the little brown girl?"

"Oh, very nicely, " smiled Scott. "Her name is Dinah. Your lady's name isRose de Vigne, if you care to know. "

"Really?" said Eustace. "And who told you that?"

"Dinah, of course, or Dinah's brother. I forget which. They belong to thesame party. "

"I should think that little snub-nosed person feels somewhat in theshade, " observed Eustace. 

"I expect she does. But she has plenty of wits to make up for it. Sheseems to find life quite an interesting entertainment. "

"She can't skate a bit, " said Eustace. 

"Can't she? You'll have to give her a hint or two. I am sure she would bevery grateful. "

"Did she tell you so?"

"I'm not going to tell you what she told me. It wouldn't be fair. "

Eustace laughed with easy tolerance. "Oh, I've no objection to giving hera hand now and then if she's amusing, and doesn't become a nuisance. I'mnot going to let myself be bored by anybody this trip. I'm out for sportonly. "

"It's a lovely place, " observed Scott. 

"Oh, perfect. I'm going to ski this afternoon. How do you like it, Isabel?"

Abruptly the elder brother accosted her. She was walking between them asone in a dream. She started at the sound of her name. 

"I don't know yet, " she said. "It is rather cold, isn't it? I--I am notsure that I shall be able to sleep here. "

Eustace's eyes held hers for a moment. "Oh, no one expects to sleephere, " he said lightly. "You skate all day and dance all night. That'sthe programme. "

Her lips parted a little. "I--dance!" she said. 

"Why not?" said Eustace. 

She made a gesture that was almost expressive of horror. "When I dance, "she said, in her deep voice, "you may put me under lock and key for goodand all, for I shall be mad indeed. "

"Don't be silly!" he said sharply. 

She shrank as if at a blow, and on the instant very quietly Scottintervened. "Isabel and I prefer to look on, " he said, drawing her handgently through his arm. "I fancy it suits us both best. "

His eyes met his brother's quick frown deliberately, with the utmoststeadiness, and for a few electric seconds there was undoubted tensionbetween them. Isabel was aware of it, and gripped the supporting arm veryclosely. 

Then with a shrug Eustace turned from the contest. "Oh, go your own way!It's all one to me. You're one of the slow coaches that never getanywhere. "

Scott said nothing whatever. He smoked his cigarette without a sign ofperturbation. Save for a certain steeliness in his pale eyes, hishabitually placid expression remained unaltered. 

He walked in silence for a few moments, then without effort began to talkin a general strain of their journey of the previous day. Had Isabelcared about the sleigh-ride? If so, they would go again one day. 

She lighted up in response with an animation which she had not displayedduring the whole walk. Her eyes shone a little, as with a far-off fire ofgratitude. 

"I should like it if you would, Stumpy, " she said. 

"Then we will certainly go, " he said. "I should enjoy it very much. "

Eustace came out of a somewhat sullen silence to throw a glance ofhalf-reluctant approval towards his brother. He plainly regarded Scott'smove as an achievement of some importance. 

"Yes, go by all means!" he said. "Enjoy yourselves. That's all I ask. "

Isabel's faint smile flitted across her tired face, but she said nothing. 

Only as they reached and entered the hotel, she pressed Scott's hand fora moment in both her own. 

CHAPTER IV

THE MAGICIAN

"Well, Dinah, my dear, are you ready?"

Rose de Vigne, very slim and graceful, with her beautiful hair mountedhigh above her white forehead and falling in a shower of golden ringletsbehind after the style of a hundred years ago, stood on the threshold ofDinah's room, awaiting permission to enter. Her dress was of palest greensatin brocade, a genuine Court dress of a century old. Her arms and neckgleamed with a snowy whiteness. She looked as if she had just stepped outof an ancient picture. 

There came an impatient cry from within the room. "Oh, come in! Come in!I'm not nearly ready, --never shall be, I think. Where is Yvonne? Couldn'tshe spare me a single moment?"

The beautiful lady entered with a smile. She could afford to smile, beingcomplete to the last detail and quite sure of taking the ballroom bystorm. She found Dinah scurrying barefooted about the room with her hairin a loose bunch on her neck, her attire of the scantiest description, her expression one of wild desperation. 

"I've lost my stockings. Where can they be? I know I had them thismorning. Can Yvonne have taken them by mistake? She put everything readyfor me, --or said she had. "

The bed was littered with articles of clothing all flung together inhopeless confusion. Rose came forward. "Surely Yvonne didn't leave yourthings like this?" she said. 

"No. I've been hunting through everything for the stockings. Where canthey be? I shall have to go without them, that's all. "

"My dear child, they can't be far away. You had better get on with yourhair while I look for them. I am afraid you will not be able to count onany help from Yvonne to-night. She has only just finished dressing me, and has gone now to help Mother. You know what that means. "

"Oh, goodness, yes!" said Dinah. "I wish I'd never gone in for thisstupid fancy dress at all. I shall never be done. "

Rose smiled in her indulgent way. She was always kind to Dinah. "Well, Ican help you for a few minutes. I can't think how you come to be so late. I thought you came in long ago. "

"Yes, but Billy wanted some buttons sewn on, and that hindered me. " Dinahwas dragging at her hair with impatient fingers. "What a swell you look, Rose! I'm sure no one will dare to ask you for any but square dances. "

"Do you think so, dear?" said Rose, looking at herself complacently inthe glass over Dinah's head. 

Dinah made a sudden and hideous grimace. "Oh, drat my hair! I can't doanything with it. I believe I shall cut it all off, put on just apinafore, and go as a piccaninny. "

"That sounds a little vulgar, " observed Rose. "There are your stockingsunder the bed. You must have dropped them under. I should think the moresimply you do your hair the better if you are going to wear a colouredkerchief over it. You have natural ringlets in front, and that is theonly part that will show. "

"And they will hang down over my eyes, " retorted Dinah, "unless I fastenthem back with a comb, which I haven't got. Oh, don't stay, Rose! I knowyou are wanting to go, and you can't help me. I shall manage somehow. "

"Are you quite sure?" said Rose turning again to survey herself. 

"Quite--quite! I shall get on best alone. I'm in a bad temper too, and Iwant to use language--horrid language, " said Dinah, tugging viciously ather dark hair. 

Rose lowered her stately gaze and watched her for a moment. Then asDinah's green eyes suddenly flashed resentful enquiry upon her shelightly touched the girl's flushed cheek, and turned away. "Poor littleDinah!" she said. 

The door closed upon her graceful figure in its old-world, sweeping robeand Dinah whizzed round from the glass like a naughty fairy in a rage. "Rose de Vigne, I hate you!" she said aloud, and stamped her unshod footupon the floor. 

A period of uninterrupted misfortune followed this outburst. Everythingwent wrong. The costume which the French maid had so deftly fitted uponher that morning refused to be adjusted properly. The fastenings baffledher, and finally a hook at the back took firm hold of the lawn of hersleeve and maliciously refused to be disentangled therefrom. 

Dinah struggled for freedom for some minutes till the lawn began to tear, and then at last she became desperate. "Billy must do it, " she said, andalmost in tears she threw open the door and ran down the passage. 

Billy's room was round a corner, and this end of the corridor was dim. Asshe turned it, she almost collided with a figure coming in the oppositedirection--a boyish-looking figure in evening dress which she instantlytook for Billy. 

"Oh, there you are!" she exclaimed. "Do come along and help me like asaint! I'm in such a fix. "

There was an instant's pause before she discovered her mistake, and thenin the same moment a man's voice answered her. 

"Of course I will help you with pleasure. What is wrong?"

Dinah started back, as if she would flee in dismay. But perhaps it wasthe kindness of his response, or possibly only the extremity of herneed--something held her there. She stood her ground as it were in spiteof herself. 

"Oh, it is you! I do beg your pardon. I thought it was Billy. I've got mysleeve caught up at the back, and I want him to undo it. "

"I'll undo it if you will allow me, " said Scott. 

"Oh, would you? How awfully kind! My arm is nearly broken with trying toget free. You can't see here though, " said Dinah. "There's a light by mydoor. "

"Let us go to it then!" said Scott. "I know what it is to have things gowrong at a critical time. "

He accompanied her back again with the utmost simplicity, stopped by thelight, and proceeded with considerable deftness to remedy the mischief. 

"Oh, thank you!" said Dinah, with heart-felt gratitude as he freed her atlast. "Billy would have torn the stuff in all directions. I'm dressingagainst time, you see, and I've no one to help me. "

"Do you want any more help?" asked Scott, looking at her with a quizzicallight in his eyes. 

She laughed, albeit she was still not far from tears. "Yes, I wantsomeone to pin a handkerchief on my head in the proper Italian fashion. Idon't look much like a _contadina_ yet, do I?"

He surveyed her more critically. "It's not a bad get-up. You look verynice anyhow. If you like to bring me the handkerchief, I will see what Ican do. I know a little about it from the point of view of an amateurartist. You want some earrings. Have you got any?"

Dinah shook her head. "Of course not. "

"I believe my sister has, " said Scott. "I'll go and see. "

"Oh no, no! What will she think?" cried Dinah in distress. 

He uttered his quiet laugh. "I will present you to her by-and-bye if Imay. I am sure she will be interested and pleased. You finish off asquickly as you can! I shall be back directly. "

He limped away again down the passage, moving more quickly than was hiswont, and Dinah hastened back into her room wondering if this informalitywould be regarded by her chaperon as a great breach of etiquette. 

"Rose thinks I'm vulgar, " she murmured to herself. "I wonder if I reallyam. But really--he is such a dear little man. How could I possibly helpit?"

The dear little man's return put an end to her speculations. He came backin an incredibly short time, armed with a leather jewel-case which hedeposited on the threshold. 

Dinah came light-footed to join him, all her grievances forgotten. Herhair, notwithstanding its waywardness, clustered very prettily about herface. There was a bewitching dimple near one corner of her mouth. 

"You can come in if you like, " she said. "I'm quite dressed--all exceptthe handkerchief. "

"Thank you; but I won't come in, " he answered. "We mustn't shock anybody. If you could bring a chair out, I could manage quite well. "

She fetched the chair. "If anyone comes down the passage, they'll wonderwhat on earth we are doing, " she remarked. 

"They will take us for old friends, " said Scott in a matter of-fact toneas he opened the jewel-case. 

She laughed delightedly. There was a peculiarly happy quality about herlaugh. Most people smiled quite involuntarily when they heard it, thoughBilly compared it to the neigh of a cheery colt. 

"Now, " said Scott, looking at her quizzically, "are you going to sit inthe chair, or am I going to stand on it?"

"Oh, I'll sit, " she said. "Here's the handkerchief! You will fasten it sothat it doesn't flop, won't you? May I hold that case? I won't touchanything. "

He put it open into her lap. "There is a chain of coral there. Perhapsyou can find it. I think it would look well with your costume. "

Dinah pored over the jewels with sparkling eyes. "But are you sure--quitesure--your sister doesn't mind?"

"Quite sure, " said Scott, beginning to drape the handkerchief adroitlyover her bent head. 

"How very sweet of her--of you both!" said Dinah. "I feel like Cinderellabeing dressed for the ball. Oh, what lovely pearls! I never saw anythingso exquisite. "

She had opened an inner case and was literally revelling in its contents. 

"They were--her husband's wedding present to her, " said Scott in hisrather monotonous voice. 

"How lovely it must be to be married!" said Dinah, with a little sigh. 

"Do you think so?" said Scott. 

She turned in her chair to regard him. "Don't you?"

"I can't quite imagine it, " he said. 

"Oh, can't I!" said Dinah. "To have someone in love with you, wanting noone but you, thinking there's no one else in the world like you. Have younever dreamt that such a thing has happened? I have. And then waked up tofind everything very flat and uninteresting. "

Scott was intent upon fastening an old gold brooch in the red kerchiefabove her forehead. He did not meet the questioning of her bright eyes. 

"No, " he said. "I don't think I ever cajoled myself, either waking orsleeping, into imagining that anybody would ever fall in love with me tothat extent. "

Dinah laughed, her upturned face a-brim with merriment. "If any womanever wants to marry you, she'll have to do her own proposing, won't she?"she said. 

"I think she will, " said Scott. 

"I wish Rose de Vigne would fall in love with you then, " declared Dinah. "Men are always proposing to her, she leads them on till they makeperfect idiots of themselves. I think it's simply horrid of her to do it. But she says she can't help being beautiful. Oh, how I wish--" Dinahbroke off. 

"What do you wish?" said Scott. 

She turned her face away to hide a blush. "You must think me very sillyand childish. So I am, but I'm not generally so. I think it's in the airhere. I was going to say, how I wished I could outshine her for just onenight! Isn't that piggy of me? But I am so tired of being always in theshade. She called me 'Poor little Dinah!' only to-night. How would youlike to be called that?"

"Most people call me Stumpy, " observed Scott, with his whimsical littlesmile. 

"How rude of them! How horrid of them!" said Dinah. "And do you actuallyput up with it?"

He bent with her over the jewel-case, and picked out the coral chain. "Idon't care the toss of a halfpenny, " he said. 

She gave him a quick, searching glance. "Not really? Not in your secretheart?"

"Not in the deepest depth of my unfathomable soul, " he declared. 

"Then you're a great man, " said Dinah, with conviction. 

Scott's laugh was one of genuine amusement. "Oh, does that follow? I'venever seen myself in that light before. "

But Dinah was absolutely serious and remained so. There was even a touchof reverence in her look. "You evidently don't know yourself in theleast, " she said. "Anyhow, you've made me feel a downright toad. "

"I don't know why, " said Scott. "You don't look like one if that's anycomfort. " He stooped to fasten the necklace. "Now for the earrings, andyou are complete. "

"It is good of you, " she said gratefully. "I am longing to go and look atmyself. But can you fasten them first? I'm sure I can't. "

He complied with his almost feminine dexterity, and in a few moments asparkling and glorified Dinah rose and skipped into her room to see thegeneral effect of her transformation. 

Scott lingered to close the jewel-case. Frankly, he had enjoyed himselfduring the last ten minutes. Moreover he was sure she would be pleasedwith the result of his labours. But he was hardly prepared for the cry ofdelight that reached him as he turned to depart. 

He paused as he heard it, and in a moment Dinah flashed out again like aradiant butterfly and gave him both her hands. 

"You--magician!" she cried. "How did you do it? How can I thank you? I'venever been so nearly pretty in my life!"

He bowed in courtly fashion over the little brown hands. "Then you havenever seen yourself with the eyes of others, " he said. "I congratulateyou on doing so to-night. "

She laughed her merry laugh. "Thank you! Thank you a hundred times! I'veonly one thing left to wish for. "

"What is that?" he said. 

She told him with a touch of shyness. "That--Apollo--will dance with me!"

Scott laughed and let her go. "Oh, is that all? Then I will certainly seethat he does. "

"Oh, but don't tell him!" pleaded Dinah. 

"I never repeat confidences, " declared Scott. "Good-bye, _Signorina_!"

And with another bow, he left her. 

CHAPTER V

APOLLO

The _salon_ was a blaze of lights and many shifting colours. Thefantastic crowd that trooped thither from the _salle-à-manger_ was like ahost of tropical flowers. The talking and laughter nearly drowned theefforts of the string band in the far corner. 

Scott in ordinary evening-dress stood near the door talking to an immenseRoman Emperor, looking by contrast even smaller and more insignificantthan usual. Yet a closer observation would have shown that the sameinstinctive dignity of bearing characterized them both. Utterly unlikethough they were, yet in this respect it was not difficult to trace theirbrotherhood. Though moulded upon lines so completely dissimilar, theybore the same indelible stamp--the stamp of good birth which can never beattained by such as have it not. Sir Eustace Studley was the handsomestman in the room. His imperial costume suited his somewhat arrogantcarriage. He looked like a man born to command. His keen eyes glancedhither and thither with an eagle-like intensity that missed nothing. Heseemed to be on the watch for someone. 

"Who is it?" asked Scott, with a smile. "The lady of the rink?"

The black brows went up haughtily for a moment, then descended in ananswering smile. "She is the only woman I've seen here yet that's worthlooking at, " he observed. 

"Don't you be too sure of that!" said Scott. "I can show you a littleItalian peasant girl who is well worth your august consideration. I thinkyou ought to bestow a little favour on her as you have each chosen toassume the same nationality. "

Sir Eustace laughed. "A _protégée_ of yours, eh? That little brown girl, I suppose? Charming no doubt, my dear fellow; but ordinary--distinctlyordinary. "

"You haven't seen her yet, " said Scott. "You had your back to her in the_salle-à-manger. _"

"Where is she then? You had better find her before the beautiful Miss deVigne makes her appearance. I don't mind giving her a dance or two, butyou must take her off my hands if we don't get on. "

"I will certainly do that, " said Scott in his quiet voice that seemed toveil a touch of irony. "I believe she is in the vestibule now. No, hereshe is!"

Dinah, with laughing lips and sparkling eyes, had just ventured to thedoor with Billy. "We'll just peep, " she said to her brother in the gayyoung tones that penetrated so much further than she realized. "But Ishall never dare to dance. Why, I've never even seen the inside of aballroom before. And as to dancing with a real live man--" She broke offas she caught sight of the two brothers standing together near theentrance. 

Eustace turned his restless eyes upon her, gave her a swift, criticalglance and muttered something to Scott. 

The latter at once stepped forward, receiving a smile so radiant thateven Eustace was momentarily dazzled. The little brown girl certainly hadpoints. 

"May I introduce my brother?" said Scott. "Sir Eustace Studley--Miss--Iam afraid I don't know your surname. "

"Sketchy, " murmured Eustace, as he bowed. 

But Dinah only laughed her ringing, merry laugh. "Of course you don'tknow. How could you? Our name is Bathurst. I'm Dinah and this is Billy. Iam years older than he is, of course. " She gave Eustace a shy glance. "How do you do?"

"She's just thirty, " announced Billy, in shrill, cracked tones. "She'sjust pretending to be young to-night, but she ain't young really. Youshould see her without her warpaint. "

The music became somewhat more audible at this point. Eustace bentslightly, looking down at the girl with eyes that were suddenly soft asvelvet. "They are beginning to dance, " he said. "May I have the pleasure?It's a pity to lose time. "

Her red lips smiled delighted assent. She laid her hand with a featherytouch upon the arm he offered. "Oh, how lovely!" she said, and slid intohis hold like a giddy little water-fowl taking to its own belovedelement. 

"Well, I'm jiggered!" said Billy. "And she's never danced with aman--except of course me--before!"

"Live and learn!" said Scott. 

He watched the couple go up the great room, and he saw that, as he hadsuspected, Dinah was an exquisite dancer. Her whole being was merged inmovement. She was as an instrument in the hand of a skilled player. 

Sir Eustace Studley was an excellent dancer too, though he did notoften trouble himself to dance as perfectly as he was dancing now. Itwas not often that he had a partner worthy of his best, and it was asemi-conscious habit of his never voluntarily to give better than hereceived. 

But this little gipsy-girl of Scott's discovery called forth all histalent. She did not want to talk. She only wanted to dance, to spendherself in a passion of dancing that was an ecstasy beyond all speech. She was as sensitive as a harp-string to his touch; she was music, shewas poetry, she was charm. The witchery of her began to possess him. Herinstant response to his mood, her almost uncanny interpretation thereof, became like a spell to his senses. From wonder he passed to delight, andfrom delight to an almost feverish desire for more. He swayed her to hiswill with a well-nigh savage exultation, and she gave herself up to it socompletely, so freely, so unerringly, that it was as if her veryindividuality had melted in some subtle fashion and become part of his. And to the man there came a moment of sheer intoxication, as though hedrank and drank of a sparkling, inspiriting wine that lured him, thatthrilled him, that enslaved him. 

It was just when the sensation had reached its height that the musicsuddenly quickened for the finish. That brought him very effectually toearth. He ceased to dance and led her aside. 

She turned her bright face to him for a moment, in her eyes the dazed, incredulous look of one awaking from an enthralling dream. "Oh, can't wedance it out?" she said, as if she pleaded against being aroused. 

He shook his head. "I never dance to a finish. It's too much like theclown's turn after the transformation scene. It is bathos on the top ofthe superb. At least it would be in this case. Who in wonder taught youto dance like that?"

Dinah opened her eyes a little wider and gave him the Homage of shyadmiration; but she met a look in return that amazed her, that sent theblood in a wild unreasoning race to her heart. For those eyes of burning, ardent blue had suddenly told her something, something that no eyes hadever told her before. It was incredible but true. Homage had met homage, aye, and more than homage. There was mastery in his look; but there wasalso wonder and a curious species of half-grudging reverence. She hadamazed him, this witch with the sparkling eyes that shone so alluringlyunder the scarlet kerchief. She had swept him as it were with a fan offlame. She had made him live. And he had pronounced her ordinary!

"I have always loved to dance, " she said in answer to his almostinvoluntary question. "Do you like my dancing? I'm so glad. "

"Like it!" He laughed with an odd shamefacedness. "I could dance with youthe whole evening. But I should probably end by making a fool of myselflike a man who has had too much champagne. "

Dinah laughed. She had an exhilarating sense of having achieved aconquest undreamed of. She also was feeling a little giddy, a littleuncertain of the ground under her feet. 

"Do you know, " she said, dropping her eyes instinctively before the fieryintensity of his, "I've never danced with a man before? I--I was a littleafraid just at first lest you should find me--gawky. "

"Ye gods!" said Sir Eustace. "And you have really never danced with a manbefore! Tell me! How did you like it?"

"It was--heavenly!" said Dinah, drawing a deep breath. 

"Will you dance with me again?" he asked. 

She nodded. "Yes. "

"The very next dance?"

She nodded again. "Yes. "

"And again after that?" said Sir Eustace. 

She threw him a glance half-shy, half-daring. "Don't you think it mightbe too much for you?"

He laughed. "I'll risk it if you will. "

She turned towards him with a small, confidential gesture. "What aboutRose de Vigne?" she said. "Don't you want to dance with her?"

"Oh, presently, " he said. "She'll keep. "

Dinah broke into her high, sweet laugh. "And what about--all my otherpartners?" she said, with more assurance. 

He bent to her. "They must keep too. Seriously, you don't want to dancewith any other fellow, do you?"

"I'm not a bit serious, " said Dinah. 

"Do you?" he insisted. 

She lifted her eyes momentarily. 

"You don't?" he insinuated. 

She surrendered without conditions. "Of course I don't. "

"Then you mustn't, " he said. "Consider yourself booked to me forto-night, and when you're not dancing with me, you can rest. Sit out withScott if you like! Will you do that?"

"Why?" whispered Dinah. 

Again her heart was beating very fast; she wondered why. 

He answered her with an impetuosity that seemed to carry her along withit. "Because your dancing is superb, magnificent, and I want to keep itfor myself. It may not be the same when you've danced with another man. Aflower fresh plucked is always sweeter than one that someone else hasworn. "

Dinah's hands clasped each other unconsciously. She had never dreamedthat Apollo could so stoop to favour her. 

"I will do as you like, " she murmured after a moment. "But I don'tsuppose for an instant that anyone else would want to dance with me. Idon't know anyone else. "

He smiled. "I'm glad of that. It would be sheer sacrilege for you todance with a young oaf who didn't know how. It's a bargain then. I'llgive you all I can. You mustn't tell, of course. "

"Oh, I won't tell, " laughed Dinah. 

He gave her his arm. "They are tuning up. We won't lose a minute. Ialways like a clear floor, before the rabble begin. "

He led her to the top of the room, stood for a moment; then, as the musicbegan, caught her to him, and they floated once more into the shining, enchanted mazes of their dreamland. 

And Dinah danced as one inspired, for it seemed to her that her feetmoved upon air as though winged. Apollo had drawn her up to Olympus, andshe drifted in his arm in spheres unknown, far above the clouds. 

CHAPTER VI

CINDERELLA

"Come and sit down!" said Scott. 

Dinah gave a little start. She was standing close to him, but she had notseen him. She looked at him for a second with far-away eyes, as if shedid not know him. 

Then recognition flashed into them. She smiled an eager greeting. "Oh, Mr. Studley, I want to thank you for the very happiest evening of mylife. "

He smiled also as he sat down beside her. "You are enjoying yourself?"

"Oh yes, indeed I am!" she assured him. "Thank you a hundred milliontimes!"

"Why thank me?" questioned Scott. 

She drew a long, long breath. "Because you were the magician who pulledthe strings. I should never have got dressed in the first place but foryou. "

He gave a laugh of amused protest. "Oh, surely! I don't feel I deservethat!"

She laughed with him. "You did it anyhow. And in the second place you gotme out of a villainous bad temper and turned an ugly goblin into a veryhappy butterfly. I'm downright ashamed of myself for being so horridabout Rose de Vigne. She isn't at all a bad sort though she is soimpossibly beautiful. Your brother is going to dance with her now. See!There they go!"

She looked after them with a smile of complete content. 

"You're feeling generous, " remarked Scott. 

She turned to him again, flushed and radiant. "I can afford to--thoughit's for the first time in my life. I've never had such a happytime, --never, never, never! Isn't your brother wonderful? His dancingis--" Words failed her. She raised her hands and let them fall with agesture expressive of unbounded admiration. 

"You mustn't let him monopolize you, " said Scott. "He has plenty tochoose from, you know. Others haven't. "

She laughed. "He says--I wonder if it's true!--he says I am the bestdancer he has ever met!"

Scott smiled at her beaming face. "That is very nice--for him, " heobserved. "I thought you seemed to be getting on very well. "

Her eyes travelled across the room again to her late partner and thebeautiful Miss de Vigne. She watched them intently for a few seconds. 

"Poor Rose!" she said suddenly. 

Scott was watching her. "Isn't she a good dancer?" he asked. 

She turned back to him. "Oh yes, I believe she is. She always has plentyof partners anyway. At least I've always heard so. Is your sisterdancing? I don't think I can have seen her yet. "

"No. She is in her sitting-room upstairs. I wanted her to come down, butshe wouldn't be persuaded. She--" Scott hesitated a moment--"is not fondof gaiety. "

"Then I shan't see her!" said Dinah in tones of genuine disappointment. "I did so want to thank her for lending me these lovely things. "

"I can take you to her if you'll come, " said Scott. 

"Oh, can you? Yes, I'll come. I can come now. But are you sure she willlike it?" Dinah's bright eyes met his with frank directness. "I don'twant to intrude on her, you know, " she said. 

He smiled a little. "I am sure you won't intrude. Shall we go then? Areyou sure there is no one else you want to dance with here?"

"Oh, quite sure. " Again momentarily Dinah's look sought her late partner;then briskly she stood up. 

Scott rose also, and gave her his arm. She bestowed a small, friendlysqueeze upon it. "I've never enjoyed myself so much before, " she said. "And it's all your doing. "

"Oh, not really!" he said. 

She nodded vigorously. "But it is! I should never have been presentablebut for you. And I should certainly never have danced with your brother. He has actually promised to help me with my skating to-morrow. Isn't itkind of him?"

"I wonder, " said Scott. 

"What do you wonder?" Dinah looked at him curiously. 

But he only smiled a baffling smile, and turned the subject. "Wouldn'tyou like something to drink before we go up?"

Dinah declined. She was not in the least thirsty. She did not feel as ifshe would ever want to eat or drink again. 

"Only to dance!" said Scott. "Well, I mustn't keep you long then. Who isthat lady making signs to you? Hadn't you better go and speak to her?"

"Oh, bother!" said Dinah. "You come too, then. It's only LadyGrace--Rose's mother. I'm sure it can't be anything important. "

Scott piloted her across the vestibule to the couch on which Lady Gracesat. She was a large, fair woman with limpid eyes and drawling speech. She extended a plump white hand to the girl. 

"Dinah, my dear, I think you have had almost enough for to-night. Andthey were so very behind time in starting. Your mother would not like youto stay up late, I feel sure. You had better go to bed when this dance isover. You are not accustomed to dissipation, remember. "

A swift cloud came over Dinah's bright face. "Oh, but, Lady Grace, I'mnot in the least tired. And I'm not a baby, you know. I'm nearly twenty. I really couldn't go yet. "

"You will have plenty more opportunities, dear, " said Lady Grace, quiteunruffled. "Rose has decided to retire after this dance, and I shall dothe same. The Colonel is suffering with dyspepsia, and he does not wishus to be late. "

Dinah bit her lip. "Oh, very well, " she said somewhat shortly; and toScott, "We had better go at once then. "

He led her away obediently. They ascended the stairs together. 

As they reached the top of the flight Dinah's indignation burst itsbounds. "Isn't it too bad? Why should I go to bed just because theColonel's got dyspepsia? I don't believe it's that at all really. It'sRose who can't bear to think that I am having as good a time--orBetter--than she is. "

"May I say what I think?" asked Scott politely. 

She stopped, facing him. "Yes, do!"

He was smiling somewhat whimsically. "I think that--like Cinderella--youmay break the spell if you stay too long. "

"But isn't it too bad?" protested Dinah. "Your brother too--I can'tdisappoint him. "

Scott's smile became a laugh. "Oh, believe me, it would do him good, MissBathurst. He gets his own way much too often. "

She smiled, but not very willingly. "It does seem such a shame. He hasbeen--so awfully nice to me. "

"That's nothing, " said Scott airily. "We can all be nice when we areenjoying ourselves. "

Dinah looked at him with sudden attention. "Are you pointing a moral?"she asked severely. 

"Trying to, " said Scott. 

She tried to frown upon him, but very abruptly and completely failed. Herpointed chin went up in a gay laugh. "You do it very nicely, " she said. "Thank you, Mr. Studley. I won't be grumpy any more. It would be a pityto break the spell, as you say. Will you explain to the prince?"

"Certainly, " he said, leading her on again. "I shall make it quite clearto him that Cinderella was not to blame. Here is our sitting-room at theend of this passage!"

He stopped at the door and would have opened it, but Dinah, smitten withsudden shyness, drew back. 

"Hadn't you better go in first and--and explain?" she said. 

"Oh no, quite unnecessary, " he said, and turned the handle. 

At once a woman's voice accosted him. "For the Lord's sake, MasterStumpy, come in quick and shut the door behind ye! The racket downstairsis sending Miss Isabel nearly crazy, poor lamb. And it's meself that'swondering what we'll do to-night, for there's no peace at all in thiswooden shanty of a place. "

"Be quiet, Biddy!" Scott's voice made calm, undaunted answer. "You can goif you like. I've come to sit with Miss Isabel for a while. And I'vebrought her a visitor. Isabel, my dear, I've brought you a visitor. "

Dinah moved forward in response to his gentle insistence, but her shynesswent with her. She was aware of something intangible in the atmospherethat startled, that almost frightened, her. 

The gaunt figure of a woman clad in a long, white robe sat at a table inthe middle of the room with a sheaf of letters littered before her. Heremaciated arms were flung wide over them, her white head was bowed. 

But at Scott's quiet announcement, it was raised with the suddenness ofeager expectancy. For the fraction of a second Dinah saw dark, sunkeneyes ablaze with a hope that was almost terrible in its intensity. 

It was gone on the instant. They looked at her with a species of dullwonder. "Are you a friend of Scott's? I am very pleased to meet you, " ahollow voice said. 

A thin hand was extended to her, and as Dinah clasped it a sudden greatpity surged through her, dispelling her doubt. Something in her respondedswiftly, even passionately, to the hunger of those eyes. The moment'sshock passed from her like a cloud. 

"My sister Mrs. Everard, " said Scott's voice at her shoulder. "Isabel, this is Miss Bathurst of whom I was telling you. "

"You lent me your jewels, " said Dinah, looking into the wasted face witha sympathy at her heart that was almost too poignant to be borne. "Thankyou so very, very much for them! It was so very kind of you to lend themto a total stranger like me. "

The strange eyes were gazing at her with a curious, growing interest. Afaint, faint smile was in their depths. "Are we strangers, child?" thelow voice asked. "I feel as if we had met before. Why do you look at meso kindly? Most people only stare. "

Dinah was suddenly conscious of a hot sensation at the throat that madeher want to cry. "It is you who have been kind, " she said, and her littlehand closed with confidence upon the limp, cold fingers. "I am wearingyour things still, and I have had such a lovely time. Thank you again forletting me have them. I am going to return them now. "

"You need not do that. " Isabel spoke with her eyes still fixed upon thegirlish face. "Keep them if you like them! I shall never wear them again. They tell me--they tell me--I am a widow. "

"Miss Isabel darlint!" Biddy spoke sibilantly from the background. "Don'tbe talking to the young lady of such things! Won't ye sit down then, miss? And maybe I can get ye a cup o' tay. "

"Ah, do, Biddy!" Scott put in his quiet word. "There is no tea likeyours. Isabel, Miss Bathurst is a keen dancer. She and Eustace have beenmost energetic. It was a pity you couldn't come down and see the fun. "

"Oh! Did you enjoy it?" Isabel still looked into the brown, piquant faceas though loth to turn her eyes away. 

"I loved it, " said Dinah. 

"Was Eustace kind to you?"

"Oh, most kind. " Dinah spoke with candid enthusiasm. 

"I am glad of that, " Isabel's voice held a note of satisfaction. "But Ishould think everyone is kind to you, child, " she said, with her faint, glimmering smile. "How beautiful you are!"

"Me!" Dinah opened her eyes in genuine astonishment. "Oh you wouldn'tthink so if you saw me in my ordinary dress, " she said. "I'm nothing atall to look at really. It's just a case of 'Fine feathers, '--nothingelse. "

"My dear, " Isabel said, "I am not looking at your dress. I seldom noticeouter things. I am looking through your eyes into your soul. It is thatthat makes you beautiful. I think it is the loveliest thing that I haveever seen. "

"Oh, you wouldn't say so if you knew me!" cried Dinah, conscience-stricken. "I have horrid thoughts often--very often. "

The dark, watching eyes still smiled in their far-off way. "I should liketo know you, dear child, " Isabel said. "You have helped me--you couldhelp me in a way that probably you will never understand. Won't you sitdown? I will put my letters away, and we will talk. "

She began to collect the litter before her, laying the letters togetherone by one with reverent care. 

"Can I help?" asked Dinah timidly. 

But she shook her head. "No, child, your hands must not touch them. Theyare the ashes of my life. "

An open box stood on the table. She drew it to her, and laid the letterswithin it. Then she rose, and drew her guest to a lounge. 

"We will sit here, " she said. "Stumpy, why don't you smoke? Ah, the musichas stopped at last. It has been racking me all the evening. Yes, youlove it, of course. That is natural. I loved it once. It is always sweetto those who dance. But to those who sit out--those who sit out--" Hervoice sank, and she said no more. 

Dinah's hand slipped softly into hers. "I like sitting out toosometimes, " she said. "At least I like it now. "

Isabel's eyes were upon her again. They looked at her with a kind ofincredulous wonder. After a moment she sighed. 

"You would not like it for long, child. I am a prisoner. I sit in chainswhile the world goes by. They are all hurrying forward so eager to geton. But there is never any going on for me. I sit and watch--and watch. "

"Surely we must all go forward somehow, " said Dinah shyly. 

"Surely, " said Scott. 

But Isabel only shook her head with dreary conviction. "Not theprisoners, " she said. "They die by the wayside. "

There fell a brief silence, then impetuously Dinah spoke, urged by thefulness of her heart. "I think we all feel like that sometimes. I know athome it's just like being in a cage. Nothing ever happens worthmentioning. And then quite suddenly the door is opened and out we come. That's partly why I am enjoying everything so much, " she explained. "Butit won't be a bit nice going back. "

"What about your mother?" said Scott. 

Dinah's bright face clouded again. "Yes, of course, there's Mother, " sheagreed. 

She looked across at Scott as if she would say more; but he passedquietly on. "Where is your home, Miss Bathurst?"

"Right in the very heart of the Midlands. It is pretty country, but oh, so dull. The de Vignes are the rich people of the place. They belong tothe County. We don't, " said Dinah, with a sigh. 

Scott laughed, and she looked momentarily hurt. 

"I don't see what there is funny in that. The County people and the shoppeople are the only ones that get any fun. It's horrid to be between thetwo. "

"Forgive me!" Scott said. "I quite see your point. But if you only knewit, the people who call themselves County are often the dullest of thedull. "

"You say that because you belong to them, I expect, " retorted Dinah. "Butif you were me, and lived always under the shadow of the de Vignes, youwouldn't think it a bit funny. "

"Who are the de Vignes?" asked Isabel suddenly. 

Dinah turned to her. "We are staying here with them, Billy and I. Myfather persuaded the Colonel to have us. He knew how dreadfully we wantedto go. The Colonel is rather good-natured over some things, and he andDad are friends. But I don't think Lady Grace wanted us much. You see, she and Rose are so very smart. "

"I see, " said Scott. 

"Rose has been presented at Court, " pursued Dinah. "They always go up forthe season. They have a house in town. We always say that Rose is waitingto marry a marquis; but he hasn't turned up yet. You see, she really ismuch too beautiful to marry an ordinary person, isn't she?"

"Oh, much, " said Scott. 

Dinah heaved another little sigh; then suddenly she laughed. "But yourbrother has promised to help me with my skating to-morrow anyhow, " shesaid. "So she won't have him all the time. "

"Perhaps the marquis will come along to-morrow, " suggested Scott. 

"I wish he would, " said Dinah, with fervour. 

CHAPTER VII

THE BROKEN SPELL

Biddy was in the act of handing round the tea when there came the soundof a step outside, and an impatient hand thrust open the door. 

"Hullo, Stumpy!" said a voice. "Are you here? What have you done withMiss Bathurst? She's engaged to me for the next dance. " Eustace enteredwith the words, but stopped short on the threshold. "Hullo! You are here!I thought you had given me the slip. "

Dinah looked up at him with merry eyes. "So I have--practically. I am onmy way to bed. "

"Oh, nonsense!" he said, with his easy imperiousness. "I can't spare youyet. I must have one more dance just to soothe my nerves. I've beendancing with a faultless automaton who didn't understand me in the least. Now I want the real thing again. "

"Have some tea!" said Scott. 

"Thanks!" Sir Eustace sat down on the edge of the table, facing hissister and Dinah. "You're not going to let me down, now are you?" hesaid. "I'm counting on that dance, and I haven't enjoyed myself at allsince I saw you last. That girl is machine-made. There isn't a flaw inher. She's been turned out of a mould; I'm certain of it. Miss Bathurst, why are you laughing?"

"Because I'm pleased, " said Dinah. 

"Pleased? I thought you'd be sorry for me. You're going to take pity onme anyway, I hope. The beautiful automaton has gone back to her band-boxfor the night, so we can enjoy ourselves quite unhindered. Is that forme? Thanks, Biddy! I'm needing refreshment badly. "

"You would have preferred coffee, " observed Isabel. 

It was the first time she had spoken since his entrance. He gave her akeen, intent look. "Oh, this'll do, thanks, " he said. "It is all nectarto-night. Why haven't you been down to the ballroom, Isabel? You wouldhave enjoyed it. "

Her lips twisted a little. "I have been listening to the music upstairs, "she said. 

"You ought to have come down, " he said imperiously. "I shall expect younext time. " His hand inadvertently touched the box on the table and helooked sharply downwards. "Here, Biddy! Take this thing away!" he orderedwith a frown. 

Isabel leaned swiftly forward. "Give it to me!" she said. 

His hand closed upon it. "No. Let Biddy take it!"

"Let me!" said Dinah suddenly, and sprang to her feet. 

She took it from him before he had time to protest, and gave it forthwithinto Isabel's outstretched hands. 

Eustace took up his cup in heavy silence, and drained it. 

Then he rose. "Come along, Miss Bathurst!"

But Dinah remained seated. "I am very sorry, " she said. "But I can't. "

"Oh, nonsense!" He smiled very suddenly and winningly upon her. "Surelyyou won't disappoint me!"

She shook her head. Her eyes were wistful. "I'm disappointing myselfquite as much. But I mustn't. The Colonel has gone to bed with dyspepsia, and Lady Grace and Rose have gone too by this time. I can't come downagain. "

"Nonsense!" he said again. "You want to. You know you do. No one pays anyattention to Mrs. Grundy out here. She simply doesn't exist. Scott cancome and play propriety. He's staid enough to chaperon a whole girls'school. "

"Thanks, old chap, " said Scott. "But I'm not coming down again, either. "

Eustace looked over his head. "Then you must, Isabel. Come along! Just tooblige Miss Bathurst! It won't hurt you to sit in a safe corner for onedance. "

Isabel looked up at him with a startled expression, as of one trapped. "Oh, don't ask me!" she said. "I couldn't!"

"No, don't!" said Dinah. "It isn't, fair to bother anyone else on myaccount! I'm dreadfully sorry to have to refuse. But--in any case--Iought not to come. "

"What of that?" said Eustace lightly. "Do you always do what you ought?What a dull programme!"

Dinah flushed. "Dull but respectable, " she said, with a touch of spirit. 

He laughed. "But I'm not asking you to do anything very outrageous, and Ishouldn't ask it at all if I didn't know you wanted to do it. Besides, you promised. It's generally considered the respectable thing to do tokeep one's promises. "

That reached Dinah. She wavered perceptibly. "Lady Grace will be sovexed, " she murmured. 

He snapped his fingers in careless disdain. 

She turned appealingly to Scott. "I think I might go--just for one dance, don't you?"

Scott's pale eyes met hers with steady comradeship. "I think Ishouldn't, " he said. 

Eustace turned as if he had not heard and strolled to the door. He openedit, and at once the room was filled with the plaintive alluring strainsof waltz-music. He stood and looked back. Dinah met the look, andsuddenly she was on her feet. 

He held out his hand to her with a smile half-mocking, half-persuasive. The music swung on with a subtle enchantment. Dinah uttered a littlequivering laugh, and went to him. 

In another moment the door closed, and they stood alone in the passage. 

"I knew you wanted to, " said Eustace, smiling down into her eyes with thearrogance of the conqueror. 

Dinah was panting a little as one who had suffered a sudden strain. "Ofcourse I wanted to, " she returned. "But that doesn't make it right. "

He pressed her hand to his heart for a moment, and she caught again aglimpse of that fire in his eyes that had so thrilled her. She could notmeet it. She stood in palpitating silence. 

"Where is the use of fighting against fate?" he asked her softly. "A giftof the gods is never offered twice. "

She did not understand him, but her heart was beating wildly, tumultuously, and an inner voice urged her to be gone. 

She slipped her hand free. "Aren't we--wasting time?" she whispered. 

He laughed again in that subtle, half-mocking note, but he met her wishinstantly. They went downstairs to the _salon_. 

There were not so many dancers now. The de Vignes had evidently retired. One rapid glance told Dinah this, and she dismissed them therewith fromher mind. The rhythm and lure of the music caught her. She slid into thedance with delicious abandonment. The wonder and romance of it had gotinto her veins. No stolen pleasure was ever more keenly enjoyed than wasthat last perfect dance. Her very blood was a-fire with the strange, intoxicating joy of life. She wanted to go on for ever. 

But it ended at length. She came to earth after her rapturous flight, andfound herself standing with her partner in a curtained recess of theballroom from which a glass door led on to the verandah that ran roundthe hotel. 

"Just a glimpse of the moonlight on the mountains, " he said, "before wesay good-night!"

She went with him without a moment's thought. She was as one caught inthe meshes of a great enchantment. He opened the door, and she passedthrough on to the verandah. 

The music throbbed into silence behind them. Before them lay afairy-world of dazzling silver and deepest, darkest sapphire. Themountains stood in solemn grandeur, domes of white mystery. The greatvault of the sky was alight with stars, and a wonderful moon hung like asilver shield almost in the zenith. 

"How--beautiful!" breathed Dinah. 

The air was crystal clear, cold but not piercing. The absolute stillnessheld her spell-bound. 

"It is like a dream-world, " she whispered. 

"In which you reign supreme, " he murmured back. 

She glanced at him with uncomprehending eyes. Her veins were stillthrobbing with the ecstasy of the dance. 

"Oh, how I wish I had wings!" she suddenly said. "To swim through thatglorious ether right above the mountain-tops as one swims through thesea! Don't you think flying must be very like swimming?"

"With variations, " said Eustace. 

His eyes dwelt upon her. They were fierily blue in that great flood ofmoonlight. His hand still rested upon her waist. 

"But what a mistake to want the impossible!" he said, after a moment. 

"I always do, " said Dinah. "At least, " she glanced up at him again, "Ialways have--until to-night. "

"And to-night?" he questioned, dropping his voice. 

"Oh, I am quite happy to-night, " she said, with a little laugh, "evenwithout the wings. If I hadn't thought of them, I should have nothingleft to wish for. "

"I wish I could say the same, " said Sir Eustace, with the faint mockingsmile at the corners of his lips. 

"What can you want more?" asked Dinah innocently. 

He leaned to her. "A big thing--a small thing! Would you give it to me, my elf of the mountains, if I dared to tell you what it was?"

Her eyes fluttered and fell before the flaming ardour of his. "I--I don'tknow, " she faltered, in sudden confusion. "I expect so--if I could. "

His arm slipped round her. "Would you?" he whispered. "Would you?"

She gave a little gasp, caught unawares like a butterfly on the wing. Allthe magic of the night seemed suddenly to be concentrated upon her likefairy batteries. Her first feeling was dismay, followed instantly by thewonder if she could be dreaming. And then, as she felt the drawing of hisarm, something vehement, something almost fierce, awoke within her, clamouring wildly for freedom. 

It was a blind instinct, but she obeyed it without question. She had nochoice. 

"Oh no!" she cried. "Oh no! I couldn't!" and wrested herself from him ina panic. 

He let her go, and she heard him laugh as she broke away. But she did notwait for more. To linger was unthinkable. Urged by that imperative, innerprompting she turned and fled, not pausing for a moment's thought. 

The glass door closed behind her. She burst impetuously into the desertedballroom. And here, on the point of entering the small recess from whichshe was escaping, she came suddenly face to face with Scott. 

So headlong was her flight that she actually ran into him. He put out asteadying hand. 

"I was just coming to look for you, " he said in his quiet, composedfashion. 

She stopped unwillingly. "Oh, were you? How kind! I--I think I ought togo up now. It's getting late, isn't it? Good-night!"

He did not seek to detain her. She wondered with a burning sense of shamewhat he could have thought of her wild rush. But she was too agitated toattempt any excuse, too agitated to check her retreat. Without a backwardglance she hastened away like Cinderella overtaken by fate; the spell wasbroken, the glamour gone. 

CHAPTER VIII

MR. GREATHEART

It was a very meek and subdued Dinah who made her appearance in the_salle-à-manger_ on the following morning. 

She and Billy were generally in the best of spirits, and the room usuallyrang with their young laughter. But that morning even Billy wasdecorously quiet, and his sister scarcely spoke or raised her eyes. 

Colonel de Vigne, white-moustached and martial, sat at the table withthem, but neither Lady Grace nor Rose was present. The Colonel's face wasstern. He occupied himself with letters with scarcely so much as a glancefor the boy and girl on either side of him. 

There was a letter by Dinah's plate also, but she had not opened it. Herdowncast face was very pale. She ate but little, and that little onlywhen urged thereto by Billy, whose appetite was rampant notwithstandingthe decorum of his behaviour. 

Scott, breakfasting with his brother at a table only a few yards distant, observed the trio with unobtrusive interest. 

He had made acquaintance with the Colonel on the previous evening, andafter a time the latter caught his eye and threw him a brief greeting. Most people were polite to Scott. But the Colonel's whole aspect wasforbidding that morning, and his courtesy went no further. 

Sir Eustace did not display the smallest interest in anyone. His blackbrows were drawn, and he looked even more haughtily unapproachable thanthe Colonel. 

He conversed with his brother in low tones on the subject of themorning's mail which lay at Scott's elbow and which he was investigatingwhile he ate. Now and then he gave concise and somewhat peremptoryinstructions, which Scott jotted down in a note-book with business-likerapidity. No casual observer would have taken them for brothers thatmorning. They were employer and secretary. 

Only when the last letter had been discussed and laid aside did the elderabruptly abandon his aloof attitude to ask a question upon a moreintimate matter. 

"Did Isabel go without a sleeping-draught last night?"

Scott shook his head. 

Eustace's frown became even more pronounced. "Did Biddy administer it onher own?"

"No. I authorized it. " Scott's voice was low. He met his brother's lookwith level directness. 

Eustace leaned towards him across the table. "I won't have it, Stumpy, "he said very decidedly. "I told you so yesterday. "

"I know. " Very steadily Scott made answer. "But last night there was noalternative. It is impossible to do the thing suddenly. She has hardlygot over the journey yet. "

"Rubbish!" said Eustace curtly. 

Scott slightly raised his shoulders, and said no more. 

"It comes to this, " Eustace said, speaking with stern insistence. "If youcan't--or won't--assert your authority, I shall assert mine. It is all aquestion of influence. "

"Or forcible persuasion, " said Scott, with a touch of irony. 

"Very well. Call it that! It is in a good cause. If you haven't thestrength of mind, I have; and I shall exercise it. These drugs must betaken away. Can't you see it's the only possible thing to do?"

"Not yet, " Scott said. He was still facing his brother's grim regard verygravely and unflinchingly. "I tell you, man, it is too soon. She isbetter than she used to be. She is calmer, more reasonable. We must dothe thing gradually, if at all. To interfere forcibly would do infinitelymore harm than good. I know what I am saying. I know her far better thanyou do now. I am in closer touch with her. You are out of sympathy. Youonly startle her when you try to persuade her to anything. You must leaveher to me. I understand her. I know how to help her. "

"You haven't achieved much in the last seven years, " Eustace observed. 

"But I have achieved something. " Scott's answer was wholly free fromresentment. He spoke with quiet confidence. "I know it's a slow process. But she is moving in the right direction. Give her time, old chap! Ifirmly believe that she will come back to us by slow degrees. "

"Damnably slow, " commented Eustace. "You're so infernally deliberatealways. You talk as if it were your life-work. "

Scott's eyes shone with a whimsical light. "I begin to think it is, " hesaid. "Have you finished? Suppose we go. " He gathered up the sheaf ofpapers at his elbow and rose. "I will attend to these at once. "

Eustace strode down the long room looking neither to right nor left, moving with a free, British arrogance that served to emphasize somewhatcruelly the meagreness and infirmity of the man behind him. Yet it wasupon the latter's slight, halting figure that Dinah's eyes dwelt till itfinally limped out of sight, and in her look were wonder and a vagrantadmiration. There was an undeniable attraction about Scott that affectedher very curiously, but wherein it lay she could not possibly have said. She was furious when a murmured comment and laugh from some girls at thenext table reached her. 

"What a dear little lap-dog!" said one. 

"Yes, I've been wanting to pat its head for a long time, " said another. 

"Warranted not to bite, " laughed a third. "Can it really be full-grown?"

"Oh, no doubt, my dear! Look at its pretty little whiskers! It's just atoy, you know, nothing but a toy. "

Dinah turned in her chair, and gazed scathingly upon the group ofcritics. Then, aware of the Colonel's eyes upon her, she turned back andgave him a swift look of apology. 

He shook his head at her repressively, his whole air magisterial andcondemnatory. "You may go if you wish, " he said, in the tone of onedismissing an offender. "But be good enough to bear in mind what I havesaid to you!"

Billy leapt to his feet. "Can I go too, sir?" he asked eagerly. 

The Colonel signified majestic assent. His mood was very far from genialthat morning, and he had not the smallest desire to detain either ofthem. In fact, if he could have dismissed his two young chargesaltogether, he would have done so with alacrity. But that unfortunatelywas out of the question--unless by their behaviour they provoked him tofulfil the very definite threat that he had pronounced to Dinah in theprivacy of his wife's room an hour before. 

He was very seriously displeased with Dinah, more displeased than he hadbeen with anyone since his soldiering days, and he had expressed himselfwith corresponding severity. If she could not conduct herself becominglyand obediently, he would take them both straight home again and thus puta summary end to temptation. His own daughter had never given him anycause for uneasiness, and he did not see why he should be burdened withthe escapades of anyone else's troublesome offspring. It was too much toexpect at his time of life. 

So a severe reprimand had been Dinah's portion, to which she, very meekand crestfallen, shorn of all the previous evening's glories, hadlistened with a humility that had slightly mollified her judge though hehad been careful not to let her know it. She had been wild and flighty, and he was determined that she should feel the rod of discipline prettysmartly. 

But when he finally rose from the table and stalked out of the room, itwas a little disconcerting to find the culprit awaiting him in thevestibule to slip a shy hand inside his arm and whisper, "Do forgive me!I'm so sorry. "

He looked down into her quivering face, saw the pleading eyes swimming intears, and abruptly found that his displeasure had evaporated socompletely that he could not even pretend to be angry any longer. He hadnever taken much notice of Dinah before, treating her, as did his wifeand daughter, as a mere child and of no account. But now he suddenlyrealized that she was an engaging minx after all. 

"Ashamed of yourself?" he asked gruffly, his white moustache twitching alittle. 

Dinah nodded mutely. 

"Then don't do it again!" he said, and grasped the little brown hand fora moment with quite unwonted kindness. 

It was a tacit forgiveness, and as such Dinah treated it. She smiledthankfully through her tears, and slipped away to recover her composure. 

Nearly an hour later, Scott, having finished his letters, came upon hersitting somewhat disconsolately in the verandah. He paused on his wayout. 

"Good morning, Miss Bathurst! Aren't you going to skate this morning?"

She turned to him with a little movement of pleasure. "Good morning, Mr. Studley! I have been waiting here for you. I have brought down yoursister's trinkets. Here they are!" She held out a neat little paperparcel to him. "Please will you thank her again for them very, very much?I do hope she didn't think me very rude last night, --though I'm afraid Iwas. "

Her look was wistful. He took the packet from her with a smile. 

"Of course she didn't. She was delighted with you. When are you coming tosee her again?"

"I don't know, " said Dinah. 

"Come to tea!" suggested Scott. 

Dinah hesitated, flushing. 

"You've something else to do?" he asked in his cheery way. "Well, comeanother time if it won't bore you!"

"Oh, it isn't that!" said Dinah, and her flush deepened. "I--I would loveto come. Only--" She glanced round at an elderly couple who had just comeout, and stopped. 

"I'm going down to the village with my letters, " said Scott. "Will youcome too?"

She welcomed the idea. "Oh yes, I should like to. It's such a gloriousmorning again, isn't it? It's a shame not to go out. "

"Sure you're not wanting to skate?" he questioned. 

"Yes, quite sure. I--I'm rather tired this morning, but a walk will do megood. "

They passed the rink without pausing, though Scott glanced across to seehis brother skimming along in the distance with a red-clad figure besidehim. He made no comment upon the sight, and Dinah was silent also. Hergay animation that morning was wholly a minus quantity. 

They went on down the hill, talking but little. Speech in Scott's societywas never a necessity. His silences were so obviously friendly. He had ashrewd suspicion on this occasion that the girl beside him had somethingto say, and he waited for it with a courteous patience, abstaining frominterrupting her very evident preoccupation. 

They walked between fields of snow, all glistening in the sunshine. Theblue of the sky was no longer sapphire but glorious turquoise. The veryair sparkled, diamond-clear in the crystal splendour of the day. 

Suddenly Dinah spoke. "I suppose one always feels horrid the nextmorning. "

"Are you feeling the reaction?" asked Scott. 

"Oh, it isn't only that, I'm feeling--ashamed, " said Dinah, blushing verydeeply. 

He did not look at her. "I don't see why, " he said gently, after amoment. 

"Oh, but you do!" she said impatiently. "At least you can if you try. Youknew I was wrong to go down again for that last dance, just as well as Idid. Why, you tried to stop me!"

"Which was very presumptuous of me, " said Scott. 

"No, it wasn't. It was kind. And I--I was a perfect pig not to listen. Iwant you to know that, Mr. Studley. I want you to know that I'm very, very sorry I didn't listen. " She spoke with trembling vehemence. 

Scott smiled a little. He was looking tired that morning. There wereweary lines about his eyes. "I don't know why you should be so verypenitent, Miss Bathurst, " he said. "It was quite a small thing. "

"It got me into bad trouble anyway, " said Dinah. "I've had a tremendouswigging from the Colonel this morning, and if--if I ever do anything sobad again, we're to be sent home. "

"I call that unreasonable, " said Scott with decision. "It was not such aserious matter as all that. If you want my opinion, I think it was amistake--a small mistake--on your part; nothing more. "

"But that wasn't all, " said Dinah, looking away from him and quickeningher pace, "I--I have offended your brother too. "

"Good heavens!" said Scott. "And is that serious too?"

"Don't laugh!" protested Dinah. "Of course it's serious. He--he won'teven look at me this morning. " The sound of tears came suddenly intoher voice. "I was waiting for you on the verandah a little while ago, and--and he went by with Rose and never glanced my way. Allbecause--because--oh, I am a little fool!" she declared, with an angrystamp of the foot as she walked. 

"He's the fool!" said Scott rather shortly. "I shouldn't bother myselfover that if I were you. "

"I can't help it, " said Dinah, her voice squeaking on a notehalf-indignant, half-piteous. "I--I behaved so idiotically, just like araw schoolgirl. And I hate myself for it now!"

Scott looked at her for the first time since the beginning of herconfidences. "Do you know, Miss Bathurst, " he said, "I have a suspicionthat you are much too hard on yourself. Of course I don't know whathappened, but I do know that my brother is much more likely to have beenin the wrong than you were. The best thing you can do is simply todismiss the matter from your mind. Behave as if nothing had happened! Cuthim next time! It's far the best way of treating him. "

Dinah smiled woefully. "And he will spread himself at Rose's feet likeall the rest, and never come near me again. "

Scott frowned a little. "Miss de Vigne won't have the monopoly, I canassure you. "

"She will, " protested Dinah. "She knows how to flirt without beingcaught. I don't. "

"Thank the gods for that!" said Scott with fervour. "So he tried toflirt, did he? And you objected. Was that it?"

"Something like that, " murmured Dinah, with hot face averted. 

"Then in heaven's name, continue to object!" he said, with unusualvehemence. "You did the right thing, child. Don't be drawn into doingwhat others do! Strike out a straight line for yourself, and stick to it!Above all, don't be ashamed of sticking to it! No woman was ever yet thebetter or the more attractive for cultivating her talent for flirting. Don't you know that it is your very genuineness and straightforwardnessthat is your charm?"

Dinah looked at him in sheer surprise. "I haven't got any charm, " shesaid. "That's just the trouble. It was only my dancing that made yourbrother fancy I had last night. "

Scott's frown deepened, became almost formidable, then suddenly vanishedin a laugh. "That's just your point of view, " he said. "Perhaps it's apity to open your eyes. But whatever you do, don't try to humour mybrother's whims! It would be very bad for him, and you certainly wouldn'tgain anything by it. Put up with me for a change, and come to teainstead!"

A flash of gaiety gleamed for a moment in Dinah's eyes. It was the firsthe had seen that morning. "I'll come, " she said, "if Lady Grace will letme. But I think I had better ask first, don't you?"

"Perhaps it would be safer, " agreed Scott. "Tell her my sister is aninvalid! I don't think she will object. I made the acquaintance of thedoughty Colonel last night. "

"You know he isn't a bad sort, " said Dinah. "He is much nicer than LadyGrace or Rose. Of course he's rather stuck up, but that's only natural. He's lived so long in India, and now he's a J. P. Into the bargain. Itwould be rather wonderful if he were anything else. Billy can't bear him, but then Billy's a boy. "

"I like Billy, " observed Scott. 

"Yes, and Billy likes you, " she answered warmly. "He's quite anintelligent boy. "

"Evidently, " agreed Scott, with a smile. "Now here is the village! Wheredo I post my letters?"

Dinah directed him with cheerful alacrity. She was feeling much happier;her tottering self-respect was almost restored. 

"He is a dear little man!" she said to herself with enthusiasm, as shewaited for him to purchase some stamps. 

"You've done me no end of good, " she said frankly to the man himself asthey turned back. 

"I am very pleased to hear it, " said Scott. "And it is extremely kind ofyou to say so. "

"It's the truth, " she maintained. "And, oh, you haven't been smoking allthis time. Don't you want to?"

He stopped at once, and took out his cigarette-case. "Now you mention it, I think I do. But I mustn't dawdle. I have got to get back to Isabel. "

Dinah waited while the cigarette kindled. Then, with a touch of shyness, she spoke. 

"Mr. Studley, has--has your sister been an invalid for long?"

He looked at her. "Do you want to hear about her?"

"Yes, please, " said Dinah. "If you don't mind. "

He began to walk on. It was evident that the hill was something of adifficulty to him. He moved slowly, and his limp became more pronounced. "No, I should like to tell you about her, " he said. "You were so goodyesterday, and I hadn't prepared you in the least. I hope it didn't giveyou a shock. "

"Of course it didn't, " Dinah answered. "I'm not such a donkey as that. Iwas only very, very sorry. "

"Thank you, " he said, as if she had expressed direct sympathy withhimself. "It's hard to believe, isn't it, that seven years ago shewas--even lovelier than the beautiful Miss de Vigne, only in a verydifferent style?"

"Not in the least, " Dinah assured him. "She is far lovelier than Rosenow. She must have been--beautiful. "

"She was, " said Scott. "She was like Eustace, except that she was alwaysmuch softer than he is. You would scarcely believe either that she isthree years younger than he is, would you?"

"I certainly shouldn't, " Dinah admitted. "But then, she must have comethrough years of suffering. "

"Yes, " Scott spoke with slight constraint, as though he could not bear todwell on the subject. "She was a girl of intensely vivid feelings, verypassionate and warmhearted. She and Eustace were inseparable in the olddays. They did everything together. He thought more of her than of anyoneelse in the world. He does still. "

"He wasn't very nice to her last night, " Dinah ventured. 

"No. He is often like that, and she is afraid of him. But the reason ofit is that he feels her trouble so horribly, and whenever he sees her inthat mood it hurts him intolerably. He is quite a good chap underneath, Miss Bathurst. Like Isabel, he feels certain things intensely. Of coursehe is five years older than I am, and we have never been pals in thesense that he and she were pals. I was always a slow-goer, and they wentlike the wind. But I know him. I know what his feelings are, and whatthis thing has been to him. And though I am now much more to Isabel thanhe will probably ever be again, he has never resented it or been anythingbut generous and willing to give place to me. That, you know, indicatesgreatness. With all his faults, he is great. "

"He shouldn't make her afraid of him, " Dinah said. 

"I am afraid that is inevitable. He is strong, and she has lost herstrength. Her marriage too alienated them in the first place. She hadrefused so many before Basil Everard came along, and I suppose he hadbegun to think that she was not the marrying sort. But Everard caught heralmost in a day. They met in India. Eustace and she were touring thereone winter. Everard was a senior subaltern in a Ghurka regiment--anawfully taking chap evidently. They practically fell in love with oneanother at sight. Poor old Eustace!" Scott paused, faintly smiling. "Hemeant her to marry well if she married at all, and Basil was no more thanthe son of a country parson without a penny to his name. However, thething was past remedy. I saw that when they came home, and Isabel told meabout it. I was at Oxford then. She came down alone for a night, andbegged me to try and talk Eustace over. It was the beginning of a barrierbetween them even then. It has grown high since. Eustace is a difficultman to move, you know. I did my level best with him, but I wasn't verysuccessful. In the end of course the inevitable happened. Isabel lostpatience and broke away. She was on her way out again before either of usknew. Eustace--of course Eustace was furious. " Scott paused again. 

Dinah's silence denoted keen interest. Her expression was absorbed. 

He went on, the touch of constraint again apparent in his manner. It wasevident that the narration stirred up deep feelings. "We three had alwayshung together. The family tie meant a good deal to us for the simplereason that we were practically the only Studleys left. My father haddied six years before, my mother at my birth. Eustace was the head of thefamily, and he and Isabel had been all in all to each other. He felt hergoing more than I can possibly tell you, and scarcely a week after thenews came he got his things together and went off in the yacht to SouthAmerica to get over it by himself. I stayed on at Oxford, but I made upmy mind to go out to her in the vacation. A few days after his going, Ihad a cable to say they were married. A week after that, there cameanother cable to say that Everard was dead. "

"Oh!" Dinah drew a short, hard breath. "Poor Isabel!" she whispered. 

"Yes. " Scott's pale eyes were gazing straight ahead. "He was killed twodays after the marriage. They had gone up to the Hills, to a place heknew of right in the wilds on the side of a mountain, and pitched campthere. There were only themselves, a handful of Pathan coolies withmules, and a _shikari_. The day after they got there, he took her up themountain to show her some of the beauties of the place, and they lunchedon a ledge about a couple of hundred feet above a great lonely tarn. Itwas a wonderful place but very savage, horribly desolate. They restedafter the meal, and then, Isabel being still tired, he left her to baskin the sunshine while he went a little further. He told her to wait forhim. He was only going round the corner. There was a great bastion ofrock jutting on to the ledge. He wanted to have a look round the otherside of it. He went, --and he never came back. "

"He fell?" Dinah turned a shocked face upon him. "Oh, how dreadful!"

"He must have fallen. The ledge dwindled on the other side of the rock tolittle more than four feet in width for about six yards. There was asheer drop below into the pool. A man of steady nerve, accustomed tomountaineering, would make nothing of it; and, from what Isabel has toldme of him, I gather he was that sort of man. But on that particularafternoon something must have happened. Perhaps his happiness hadunsteadied him a bit, for they were absolutely happy together. Or it mayhave been the heat. Anyhow he fell, he must have fallen. And no oneever knew any more than that. "

"How dreadful!" Dinah whispered again. "And she was left--all alone?"

"Quite alone except for the natives, and they didn't find her till theday after. She was pacing up and down the ledge then, up and down, up anddown eternally, and she refused--flatly refused--to leave it till heshould come back. She had spent the whole night there alone, waiting, getting more and more distraught, and they could do nothing with her. They were afraid of her. Never from that day to this has she admitted fora moment that he must have been killed, though in her heart she knows it, poor girl, just as she knew it from the very beginning. "

"But what happened?" breathed Dinah. "What did they do? They couldn'tleave her there. "

"They didn't know what to do. The _shikari_ was the only one with anyideas among them, and he wasn't especially brilliant. But after anotherday and night he hit on the notion of sending one of the coolies backwith the news while he and the other men waited and watched. They kepther supplied with food. She must have eaten almost mechanically. But shenever left that ledge. And yet--and yet--she was kept from taking the onestep that would have ended it all. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn'thave been better--more merciful--" He broke off. 

"Perhaps God was watching her, " murmured Dinah shyly. 

"Yes, I tell myself that. But even so, I can't help wondering sometimes. "Scott's voice was very sad. "She was left so terribly desolate, " he said. "Those letters that you saw last night are all she has of him. He hasgone, and taken the mainspring of her life with him. I hate to think ofwhat followed. They sent up a doctor from the nearest station, and shewas taken away, --taken by force. When I got to her three weeks later, shewas mad, raving mad, with brain fever. I had the old nurse Biddy with me. We nursed her between us. We brought her back to what she is now. Someday, please God, we shall get her quite back again; but whether it willbe for her happiness He only knows. "

Scott ceased to speak. His brows were drawn as the brows of a man inpain. 

Dinah's eyes were full of tears. "Oh, thank you for telling me! Thankyou!" she murmured. "I do hope you will get her quite back, as you say. "

He looked at her, saw her tears, and put out a gentle hand that restedfor a moment upon her arm. "I am afraid I have made you unhappy. Forgiveme! You are so sympathetic, and I have taken advantage of it. I think weshall get her back. She is coming very, very gradually. She has neverbefore taken such an interest in anyone as she took in you last night. She was talking of you again this morning. She has taken a fancy to you. I hope you don't mind. "

"Mind!" Dinah choked a little and smiled a quivering smile. "I amproud--very proud. I only wish I deserved it. What--what made you bringher here?"

"That was my brother's idea. Since we brought her home she has never beenaway, except once on the yacht; and then she was so miserable that wewere afraid to keep her there. But he thought a thorough change--mountainair--might do her good. The doctor was not against it. So we came. "

"And do you never leave her?" questioned Dinah. 

"Practically never. Ever since that awful time in India she has been verydependent upon me. Biddy of course is quite indispensable to her. And Iam nearly so. "

"You have given yourself up to her in fact?" Quick admiration was inDinah's tone. 

He smiled. "It didn't mean so much to me as it would have meant to somemen, Miss Bathurst, --as it would have meant to Eustace, for instance. I'mnot much of a man. To give up my college career and settle down at homewasn't such a great wrench. I'm not especially clever. I act as mybrother's secretary, and we find it answers very well. He is a rich man, and there is a good deal of business in connection with the estate, andso on. I am a poor man. By my father's will nearly everything was left tohim and to Isabel. I was something of an offence to him, being the causeof my mother's death and misshapen into the bargain. "

"What a wicked shame!" broke from Dinah. 

"No, no! Some people are like that. They are made so. I don't feel in theleast bitter about it. He left me enough to live upon, though as a matterof fact neither he nor anyone else expected me to grow up at the timethat will was made. It was solely due to Biddy's devotion, I believe, that I managed to do so. " He uttered his quiet laugh. "I am talkingrather much about myself. It's kind of you not to be bored. "

"Bored!" echoed Dinah, with shining eyes. "I think you are simplywonderful. I hope--I hope Sir Eustace realizes it. "

"I hope he does, " agreed Scott with a twinkle. "He has ampleopportunities for doing so. Ah, there he is! He is actually skatingalone. What has become of the beautiful Miss de Vigne, I wonder. "

They walked on, nearing the rink. "I'm not going to be horrid about herany more, " said Dinah suddenly. "You must have thought me a perfectlittle cat. And so I was!"

"Oh, please!" protested Scott. "I didn't!"

She laughed. "That just shows how kind you are. It doesn't make me feelthe least bit better. I was a cat. There! Oh, your brother is callingyou. I think I'll go. "

She blushed very deeply and quickened her steps. Sir Eustace had come tothe edge of the rink. 

"Stumpy!" he called. "Stumpy!"

"How dare he call you that?" said Dinah. "I can't think how you can putup with it. "

Scott raised his shoulders slightly, philosophically. "Doesn't the capfit?" he said. 

"Not a bit, " Dinah declared with emphasis. "I have another name for youthat suits you far better. "

"Oh! What is that?" he looked at her with smiling curiosity. 

Dinah's blush deepened from carmine to crimson. "I call you--Mr. Greatheart, " she said, her voice very low. "Because you help everybody. "

A gleam of surprise crossed his face. He flushed also; but she saw thatthough embarrassed, he was not displeased. 

He put a hand to his cap. "Thank you, Miss Bathurst, " he said simply, andturned without further words to answer his brother's summons. 

Dinah walked quickly on. That stroll with Scott had quite lifted her outof her depression. 

CHAPTER IX

THE RUNAWAY COLT

"It really is very tiresome, " complained Lady Grace. "I knew that childwas going to be a nuisance from the very outset. "

"What has she done now?" growled the Colonel. 

He was lounging in the easiest chair in the room, smoking an excellentcigar, preparatory to indulging in his afternoon nap. His wife reclinedupon a sofa with a French novel which she had not begun to read. Throughthe great windows that opened on to the balcony the sunshine streamed ina flood of golden light. Rose was seated on the balcony enjoying thewarmth. Lady Grace's eyes rested upon her slim figure in its scarlet coatas she made reply. 

"These people--these Studleys--won't leave her alone. Or else she runsafter them. I can't quite make out which. Probably the latter. Anyhow thesister--who, I believe is what is termed slightly mental--has asked herto go to tea in their private sitting-room. I have told her she mustdecline. "

"Quite right, " said the Colonel. "What did she say?"

Lady Grace uttered a little laugh. "Oh, she was very ridiculous andhigh-flown, as you may imagine. But, as I told her, I am directlyresponsible to her mother for any friendships she may make out here, andI am not disposed to take any risks. We all know what Mrs. Bathurst canbe like if she considers herself an injured party. "

"A perfect she-dragon!" agreed the Colonel. "I fancy the child herself isstill kept in order with the rod. Why, even Bathurst--great hulkingox--is afraid of her. Billy isn't, but then Billy apparently can do nowrong. "

"She certainly loves no one else, " said Lady Grace. "I never met anyonewith such an absolutely vixenish and uncontrolled temper. I am sorry forDinah. I have always pitied her, for she certainly works hard, and getslittle praise for it. But at the same time, I can't let her run wild nowshe is off the rein for a little. It wouldn't be right. And these peopleare total strangers. "

"I believe they are of very good family, " said the Colonel. "The title isan old one, and Sir Eustace is evidently a rich man. I had theopportunity for a little talk with the brother yesterday evening. A verycourteous little chap--quite unusually so. I think we may regard them asquite passable. " His eyes also wandered to the graceful, lounging figureon the balcony. "At the same time I shouldn't let Dinah accepthospitality from them, anyhow at this stage. She is full young. She mustbe content to stay in the background--at least for the present. "

"Just what I say, " said Lady Grace. "Of course if the younger brothershould take a fancy to her--and he certainly seems to be attracted--itmight be a very excellent thing for her. Her mother can't hope to keepher as maid of all work for ever. But I can't have her pushing herselfforward. I was very glad to hear you reprimand her so severely thismorning. "

"She deserved it, " said the Colonel judicially. "But at the same time ifthere is any chance of what you suggest coming to pass, I have no wish tostand in the child's way. I have a fancy that she will find the bondageat home considerably more irksome after this taste of freedom. It might, as you say, be a good thing for her if the little chap did fall in lovewith her. Her mother can't expect much of a match for her. "

"Oh, if that really happened, her mother would be charmed, " said LadyGrace. "She is a queer, ill-balanced creature, and I don't believe shehas ever had the smallest affection for her. She would be delighted toget her off her hands, I should say. But things mustn't move too quickly, or they may go in the wrong direction. " Again her eyes sought herdaughter's graceful outline. "You say Sir Eustace is rich?" she asked, after a moment. 

"Extremely rich, I should say. He has his own yacht, a house in town aswell as a large place in the country, and he will probably get a seat inParliament at the next election. I'm not greatly taken with the manmyself, " declared Colonel de Vigne. "He is too overbearing. At the sametime, " again his eyes followed his wife's, "he would no doubt be aconsiderable catch. "

"I don't mean Dinah to have Sir Eustace, " said Lady Grace very decidedly. "It would be most unsuitable. Yes, what is it?" as a low knock came atthe door. "Come in!"

It opened, and Dinah, looking flushed and rather uncertain, made herappearance. 

"I wish you would have the consideration not to disturb us at this hour, my dear Dinah, " said Lady Grace peevishly. "What is it you want now?"

"I am sorry, " said Dinah meekly. "But I heard your voices, so I knew youweren't asleep. I just came in to say that Billy and I are going lugingif you don't mind. "

"What next?" said Lady Grace, still fretful. "Of course I don't mind solong as you don't get up to mischief. "

"Dinah, come here!" said the Colonel suddenly. 

Dinah, on the point of beating a swift retreat, stood still with obviousreluctance. 

"Come here!" he repeated. 

She went to him hesitatingly. 

He reached up a hand and grasped her by the arm. "Were you eavesdroppingjust now?" he demanded. 

Dinah started as if stung. "I--I--of course I wasn't!" she declared, withvehemence. "How can you suggest such a thing?"

"Quite sure?" said the Colonel, still holding her. 

She wrenched herself from him in a sudden fury. "Colonel de Vigne, you--you insult me! I am not the sort that listens outside closed doors. How dare you? How dare you?"

She stamped her foot with the words, gazing down at him with blazingeyes. 

The Colonel stiffened slightly, but he kept his temper. "If I have doneyou an injustice, I apologize, " he said. "You may go. "

And Dinah went like a whirlwind, banging the door behind her. 

"Well, really!" protested Lady Grace in genuine displeasure. 

Her husband smiled somewhat grimly. "A vixen's daughter, my dear! Whatcan you expect?"

"She behaves like a fishwife's daughter, " said Lady Grace. "And if shewasn't actually eavesdropping I am convinced she heard what I said. "

"So am I, " said the Colonel drily. "I was about to tax her with it. Henceher masterly retreat. But she was not deliberately eavesdropping or shewould not have given herself away so openly. I quite agree with you, mydear. A match between her and Sir Eustace would not be suitable. And Ialso think Sir Eustace would be the first to see it. Anyhow, I shall takean early opportunity of letting him know that her birth is by no means ahigh one, and that her presence here is simply due to our kindness. Atthe same time, should the rather ludicrous little younger brother take itinto his head to follow her up, so far as family goes he is of course toogood for her, but I am sorry for the child and I shall put no obstacle inthe way. "

"All the same she shall not go to tea there unless Rose is invited too, "said Lady Grace firmly. 

"There, " said the Colonel pompously, "I think that you are right. "

Lady Grace simpered a little, and opened her novel. "It really wouldn'tsurprise me to find that she is a born fortune-hunter, " she said. "I amcertain the mother is avaricious. "

"The mother, " said Colonel de Vigne with the deliberation of one arrivedat an unalterable decision, "is the most disagreeable, vulgar, and whollyobjectionable person that I have ever met. "

"Oh, quite, " said Lady Grace. "If she were in our set, she would bealtogether intolerable. But--thank heaven--she is not! Now, dear, if youdon't mind, I am going to read myself to sleep. I have promised Rose togo to the ice carnival to-night, and I need a little relaxation first. "

"I suppose Dinah is going?" said the Colonel. 

"Oh, yes. But she is nothing of a skater. " Lady Grace suddenly broke intoa little laugh. "I wonder if the redoubtable Mrs. Bathurst does reallybeat her when she is naughty. It would be excellent treatment for her, you know. "

"I haven't a doubt of it, " said the Colonel. "She is absolutely under hermother's control. That great raw-boned woman would have a heavy hand too, I'll be bound. "

"Oh, there is no doubt Dinah stands very much in awe of her. I never knewshe had any will of her own till she came here. I always took her for themeekest little creature imaginable. "

"There is a good deal more in Miss Dinah than jumps to the eye, " said theColonel. "In fact, if you ask me, I should say she is something of a darkhorse. She is just beginning to feel her feet and she'll surprise us allone of these days by turning into a runaway colt. "

"Not, I do hope, while she is in my charge, " said Lady Grace. 

"We will hope not, " agreed the Colonel. "But all the same, I rather thinkthat her mother will find her considerably less tame and tractable whenshe sees her again than she has ever been before. Liberty, you know, is adangerous joy for the young. "

"Then we must be more strict with her ourselves, " said Lady Grace. 

CHAPTER X

THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE

Dinah ran swiftly down the corridor to her own room. 

As a matter of fact, she had intruded upon the Colonel and Lady Grace inthe secret hope of finding a propitious moment for once again pressingher request to be allowed to accept Scott's invitation to tea. Herfailure to do so added fuel to the flame, arousing in her an almostirresistible impulse to rebel openly. 

The fear of consequences alone restrained her, for to be escorted home indisgrace after only a week in this Alpine paradise was more than shecould face. All her life the dread of her mother's wrath had overhungDinah like a cloud, sometimes near, sometimes distant, but alwayspresent. She had been brought up to fear her from her cradle. All throughher childhood her punishments had been bitterly severe. She winced stillat the bare thought of them; and she was as fully convinced as was LadyGrace that her mother had never really loved her. To come under the banof her displeasure meant days of harsh treatment, nor, now that herchildhood was over, had the discipline been relaxed. She never attemptedto rebel openly. Her fear of her mother had become an integral part ofherself. Her spirit shrank before her fits of violence. But for herfather and Billy she sometimes thought that home would be an impossibleplace. 

But her affection for her father was of a very intense order. Lazy, self-indulgent, supremely easy-going, yet possessed of a fascination thathad held her from babyhood, such was Guy Bathurst. Despised at leastoutwardly by his wife and adored by his daughter, he went his indifferentway, enjoying life as he found it and quite impervious to snubs. 

"I never interfere with your mother, " was a very frequent sentence on hislips, and by that axiom he ruled his life, looking negligently on whileDinah was bent without mercy to the wheel of tyranny. 

He was fond of Dinah, --her devotion to him made that inevitable--but henever obtruded his fondness to the point of interference on her behalf;for both of them were secretly aware that the harshness meted out to herhad much of its being in a deep, unreasoning jealousy of that veryselfish fondness. They kept their affection as it were for strictlyprivate consumption, and it was that alone that made life at hometolerable to Dinah. 

For upon one point her father was insistent. He would not part with herunless she married. He did not object to her working at home for hiscomfort, but the idea of her working elsewhere and making her living wasone which he refused to consider. With rare self-assertion, he would nothear of it, and when he really asserted himself, which was seldom, hiswife was wont to yield, albeit ungraciously enough, to his behest. 

Besides Dinah was undoubtedly useful at home, and would certainly growout of hand if she left her. 

Not very willingly had she agreed to let her go upon this Alpine jauntwith the de Vignes, but Billy had been so keen, and the invitation wouldscarcely have been extended to him alone. 

The whole idea had originated between the heads of the two families, riding home together after a day's hunting. Dinah had chanced to comeinto the conversation, and the Colonel, comparing her with that of hisown daughter and being stirred to pity, had suggested that the twochildren might like to join them on their forthcoming expedition. Bathurst had at once accepted the tentative proposal, and had blurtedforth the whole matter to his assembled family on his return with theresult that Billy's instant and eager delight had made it virtuallyimpossible for his mother to oppose the suggestion. 

Dinah had been delighted too, almost deliriously so; but she had kept herpleasure to herself, not daring to show it in her mother's presence tillthe actual arrival of the last day. Then indeed she had lost her head, had sung and danced and made merry, till some trifling accident hadprovoked her mother's untempered wrath and a sound boxing of ears hadquite sobered her enthusiasm. She had fared forth finally upon theadventure with tearful eyes and drooping heart, her mother's frigid kissof farewell hurting her more poignantly than her drastic punishment of anhour before. For Dinah was intensely sensitive, keenly susceptible torebuke and coldness, and her warm heart shrank from unkindness with ashrinking that was actual pain. 

She knew that the little social world of Perrythorpe looked down upon hermother though not actually refusing to associate with her. Bathurst hadmarried a circus-girl in his green Oxford days; so the story went, --ahard, handsome woman older than himself, and fiercely, intenselyambitious. Lack of funds had prevented her climbing very high, andbitterly she resented her failure. He had never done a day's work in hislife, but, unlike his wife, he had plenty of friends. He was well-bred, agood rider, a straight shot, and an entertaining guest. He knew everyonewithin a radius of twenty miles, and was upon terms of easy intimacy withthe de Vignes and many others who received him with pleasure, but veryseldom went out of their way to encounter his wife. 

Dinah shrewdly suspected that this fact accounted for much of thebitterness of her mother's outlook. Her ambition had apparently died ofstarvation long since, but her resentment remained. Her hand was againstpractically all the world, including her daughter, whose fairy-likedaintiness and piquancy were so obvious a contrast to the somewhat coarseand flashy beauty that had once been hers. For all that Dinah inheritedfrom her mother was her gipsy darkness. Mrs. Bathurst was not flashy now, and any attempt at personal adornment on Dinah's part was always verysternly repressed. She had met and writhed under the eye of scornfulcriticism too often, and she distrusted her own taste. She was determinedthat Dinah should never be subjected to the same humiliation. 

She humiliated her often enough herself. It was the only means she knewof asserting her authority; for she had no intention of ever being theobject of her daughter's contempt. She was harsh to the point ofbrutality, so that the girl's heart was wont to quicken apprehensivelywhenever she heard her step. She scolded, she punished, she coerced. Butfrom an outsider, the bare thought of a snub was unendurable, and thepossibility that Dinah might by any means lay herself open to one wasenough to bring down the vials of wrath upon her head. Dinah rememberedstill with shivering vividness the whipping she had received on oneoccasion for demeaning herself by running after the de Vignes's carriageto deliver a message. Her mother's whippings had always been veryterrible, vindictively thorough. The indignity of them lashed her souleven more cruelly than the unsparing thong her body. Because of them shewent in daily trepidation, submissive almost to the point of abjectness, lest this hateful and demoralizing form of punishment should be inflictedupon her. For some time now, by great wariness and circumspection she hadevaded it, and she had begun to entertain the trembling hope that she wasat last considered to have passed the age for such childish correction. But her mother's outbreak of violence on the day of their departure hadbeen a painful disillusion, and she knew well what it would mean toreturn home in disgrace with the de Vignes. Her cheeks burned and tingledstill with the shame of the discovery. She felt that another of the olddreadful chastisements would overwhelm her utterly. And yet that shewould most certainly have to endure it if she were unruly now wasconviction that pressed like a cold weight upon her heart. Had not theletter she had received from her mother only that morning contained astern injunction to her to behave herself, as though she had been anaughty, wayward child?

"It would kill me!" she told herself passionately. "Oh, why, why, whycan't I grow up quick and marry? But I never shall grow up at home. That's the horrible, horrible part of it. And I shall never have a chanceof marrying with mother looking on. I'm just a slave--a slave. Othergirls can have a good time, do as they like, flirt when they like. ButI--never--never!"

Her fit of rebellion lasted long. The emancipation from the home bondagewas beginning to work within her as the Colonel had predicted. Seen froma distance, the old tyranny seemed outrageous and impossible, to go backinto it monstrous. And yet, so far as she could see, there was no way ofescape. She was not apparently to be allowed to make any friends outsideher own sphere. The freedom she had begun to enjoy so feverishly had verysuddenly been circumscribed, and if she dared to overstep the boundsmarked out for her, she knew what to expect. 

And yet she longed for freedom as she had never longed in her lifebefore. She was nearly desperate with longing, so sweet had been thefirst, intoxicating taste thereof. For the first time she had seen lifefrom the standpoint of the ordinary, happy girl, and the contrast to thelife she knew had temporarily upset her equilibrium. Her mother'streatment, harsh before, seemed unendurable now. Her cheeks burned afreshwith a fierce, intolerable shame. No, no! She could never face it again. She could not! She could not! Already her brief emancipation had begun tocost her dear. She must--she must--find a way of escape ere she went backinto thraldom. For she knew her mother's strength so terribly well. Itwould conquer all resistance by sheer, overwhelming weight. She could notremember a single occasion upon which she had ever in the smallest degreeheld her own against it. Her will had been broken to her mother's sooften that the very thought of prolonged resistance seemed absurd. Sheknew herself to be incapable of it. She was bound to crumple under thestrain, bound to be humbled to the dust long ere the faintest hope ofoutmatching her mother's iron will had begun to dawn in her soul. Thevery thought made her feel puny and contemptible. If she resisted to thevery uttermost of her strength, yet would she be crushed in the end, andthat end would be more horribly painful than she dared to contemplate. All her childhood it had been the same. She had been conquered ere shehad passed the threshold of rebellion. She had never been permitted toexercise a will of her own, and the discovery that she possessed one hadbeen something of a surprise to Dinah. 

It was partly this discovery that made her long so passionately forfreedom. She wanted to grow, to develop, to get beyond the stultifyinginfluence of that unvarying despotism. She longed to get away from theperpetual dread of consequences that so haunted her. She wanted tobreathe her own atmosphere, live her own life, be herself. 

"I believe I could do lots of things if I only had the chance, " shemurmured to herself; and then she was suddenly plunged into the memory ofanother occasion when she had received summary and austere punishment foromitting scales from her practising. But then no one ever liked doingwhat they must, and she had never had any real taste for music; or if shehad had, it had vanished long since under the uninspiring goad ofcompulsion. 

All her morning depression came back while these bitter meditationsracked her brain. Oh, if only--if only--her father had chosen a lady forhis wife! It was disloyal, she knew, to indulge such a thought, but hermood was black and her soul was in revolt. She was sure--quite sure--thatmarriage presented the only possibility of deliverance, and deliverancewas beginning to seem imperative. Her whole individuality, which thispast week of giddy liberty had done so much to develop, cried aloud forit. 

She went to the window. Billy had grown tired of waiting and gone offwithout her. She fancied she could see his sturdy figure on the furtherslope. Her eyes took in the whole lovely scene, and suddenly, effervescently, her spirits began to rise. The inherent gaiety of herbubbled to the surface. What a waste of time to stay here grizzling whilethat paradise lay awaiting her! The sweetness of her nature began toassert itself once more, and an almost fevered determination to live inthe present, to be happy while she could, entered into her. Withimpetuous energy she pushed the evil thoughts away. She would be happy. She would! She would! And happiness was not difficult to Dinah. Itbubbled in her, a natural spring, that ever flowed again even after theworst storms had forced it from its course. 

She even laughed to herself as she prepared to join Billy. Life wasgood, --oh yes, life was good! And home and the trials thereof were manymiles away. Who could be unhappy for long in such a world as this, wherethe air sparkled like champagne, and the magic of it ran riot in theblood?

The black mood passed away from her spirit like a cloud. She threw on capand coat and ran to join the merry-makers. 

CHAPTER XI

OLYMPUS

All through that afternoon Dinah and Billy played like cubs in the snow. They were very inexperienced in the art of luging, but they took theirspills with much heartiness and a total disregard of dignity that madefor complete enjoyment. 

When the sun went down they forsook the sport, and joined in asnowballing match with a dozen or more of their fellow-visitors. ButDinah proved herself so adroit and impartial at this game that shepresently became a general target, and found it advisable to retreatbefore she was routed. This she did with considerable skill and no smallstrategy, finally darting flushed and breathless into the hotel, coveredwith snow from head to foot, but game to the last. 

"Well done!" commented a lazy voice behind her. "Now raise the drawbridgeand lower the portcullis, and the honours of war are assured. "

She turned with the flashing movement of a bird upon the wing, and foundherself face to face with Sir Eustace. 

His blue eyes met hers with deliberate nonchalance. "Sit down, " he said, "while I fetch you some tea!"

Her heart gave an odd little leap that was half of pleasure and half ofdread. She stammered incoherently that he must not take the trouble. 

But he was evidently bent upon so doing, for he pressed her into the seatwhich he had just vacated. "Keep the place in the corner for me!" hecommanded, and lounged away upon his errand with imperial leisureliness. 

Dinah watched his tall figure out of sight. The encounter both astoundedand thrilled her. She wondered if she were cheapening herself by meeklyobeying his behest, wondered what Rose--that practised coquette--wouldhave done under such circumstances; but to depart seemed so wholly out ofthe question that she dismissed the wonder as futile. She could only waitfor the play to develop, and trust to her own particular luck, which hadso favoured her the night before, to give her a cue. 

He returned with tea and cake which he set before her on a little tablethat he had apparently secured beforehand for the purpose. "I am sure youmust be ravenous, " he said, in those high-bred, somewhat insolent accentsof his. 

"I am, " Dinah admitted frankly. 

"Then let me see you satisfy your hunger!" he said, seating himself inthe corner he had reserved. 

"Oh, but not alone!" she protested. "You--you must have some too. "

He laughed. "No. I am going to smoke--with your permission. It will do memore good. "

"Oh, pray do!" said Dinah, embarrassed still but strangely elated. "Itmakes me feel rather greedy, that's all. "

"I am greedy too, " he told her, his blue eyes still upon her vivid, sparkling face. "And--always with your permission--I am going to indulgemy greed. "

She did not understand him, but prudence restrained her from telling himso. Seated as she was he was the only person in the vestibule whom shecould see, her back being turned to all beside. She wondered, again withthat delightful yet half-startled thrill, if his meaning were in any wayconnected with this fact. He certainly absorbed the whole of herattention, if that were what he wanted. Her hunger faded completely intothe background. 

He lighted a cigarette and began to smoke. The space beyond them was fullof moving figures and laughing voices; but the turmoil scarcely reachedDinah. An invisible barrier seemed to shut them off from all the rest. They were not merely aloof; they were alone, and a curiously intimatetouch pervaded their solitude. She felt her spirit start in quiveringresponse to the call of his, just as the night before when she hadfloated with him above the clouds. What was happening to her she had notthe least idea, but the consciousness of his near presence pulsedmagnetically through and through her. Scott's brief advice of the morningwas scattered from her memory like feathers before the wind. She had nomemory. She lived only in this burning splendid ardour of a moment. 

She drank her tea mechanically, finding nothing enigmatic in his silence. The direct look of his blue eyes discomfited her strangely, but it was asublime discomfiture--the discomfiture of the moth around the flame. Shelonged to meet it, but did not wholly dare. With veiled glances sheyielded to the attraction, not yet bold enough for complete surrender. 

He spoke at last, and she started. 

"Well? Am I forgiven?"

The nonchalant enquiry sent the blood in another hot wave to her cheeks. Had she ever presumed to be angry with this godlike person?

"For what?" she asked, her voice very low. 

He leaned towards her. "Did I only fancy that by some evil chance I hadoffended you?"

She kept her eyes lowered. "I thought you were the offended one, " shesaid. 

"I?" She caught the note of surprise in his voice, and it sent a verycurious little sense of shame through her. 

With an effort she raised her eyes. "Yes. I thought you were offended. You went by me this morning without seeing me. "

His look was very intent, almost as if he were searching for something;but it did not disconcert her as she had half-expected to bedisconcerted. His eyes were more caressing than dominant just then. 

"What if I didn't see you because I didn't dare?" he said. 

That gave her confidence. "I should think you couldn't be so silly asthat, " she said with decision. 

He smiled a little. "Thank you, _miladi_. Then wasn't it--almost equallysilly--your word, not mine!--of you to be afraid of me last night?"

She felt the thrust in a moment, and went white, conscious of the weaksick feeling that so often came over her at the sound of her mother'sstep when she was in disgrace. 

He saw her distress, but he allowed several moments to elapse before hecame to the rescue; Then lightly, "Pray don't let the matter disturbyou!" he said. "Only--for your peace of mind--let me tell you that youreally have nothing to fear. Out here we live in fairyland, and no oneis in earnest. We just enjoy ourselves, and Mrs. Grundy simply doesn'texist. We are not ashamed of being frivolous, and we do whatever we like. And there are no consequences. Always remember that, Miss Bathurst! Thereare never any consequences in fairyland. "

His eyes suddenly laughed at her, and Dinah was vastly reassured. Herdismay vanished, leaving a blithe sense of irresponsibility in its place. 

"I shall remember that, " she said, with her gay little nod. "I dreamtlast night that we were in Olympus. "

"We?" he said softly. 

She nodded again, flushed and laughing, confident that she had receivedher cue. "And you--were Apollo. "

She saw his eyes change magically, flashing into swift life, and droppedher own before the mastery that dawned there. 

"And you, " he questioned under his breath, "were Daphne?"

"Perhaps, " she said enigmatically. After all, flirting was not such adifficult art, and since he had declared that there could be noconsequences, she did not see why she should bury this new-found talentof hers. 

"What a charming dream!" he commented lazily. "But you know what happenedto Daphne when she ran away, don't you?"

She flung him a laughing challenge. "He didn't catch her anyway. "

"True!" smiled Sir Eustace. "But have you never wondered whether itwouldn't have been more sport for her if he had? It wouldn't be veryexciting, you know, to lead the life of a vegetable. "

"It isn't!" declared Dinah, with abrupt sincerity. 

"Oh, you know something about it, do you?" he said. "Then the modernDaphne ought to have too much sense to run away. "

She laughed with a touch of wistfulness. "I wonder how she felt about itafterwards. "

"I wonder, " he agreed, tipping the ash off his cigarette. "It didn'tmatter so much to Apollo, you see. He had plenty to choose from. "

Dinah's wistfulness vanished in a swift breath of indignation. "Really!"she said. 

He looked at her. "Yes, really, " he told her, with deliberation. "And hedidn't need to run after them either. But, possibly, " his gaze softenedagain, "possibly that was what made him want Daphne the most. Elusivenessis quite a fascinating quality if it isn't carried too far. Still--" hesmiled--"I expect he got over it in the end, you know; but in her case Iam not quite so sure. "

"I don't suppose he did get ever it, " maintained Dinah with spirit. "Allthe rest must have seemed very cheap afterwards. "

"Perhaps he was more at home with the cheap variety, " he suggestedcarelessly. 

His eyes had wandered to the buzzing throng behind her, and she saw aglint of criticism--or was it merely easy contempt?--dispel the smilewith which he had regarded her. His mouth wore a faint but unmistakablesneer. 

But in a moment his look returned to her, kindled upon her. "Are you forthe ice carnival to-night?" he asked. 

She drew a quick, eager breath. "Oh, I do want to come! But I don'tknow--yet--if I shall be allowed. "

"Why ask?" he questioned. 

She hesitated, then ingenuously she told him her difficulty. "I got intotrouble last night for dancing so late with you. And--and--I may be sentto bed early to make up for it. "

He frowned. "Do you mean to say you'd go?"

She coloured vividly. "I'm only nineteen, and I have to do as I'm told. "

"Heavens above!" he said. "You belong to the generation before the lastevidently. No girl ever does as she is told now-a-days. It isn't thething. "

"I do, " whispered Dinah, in dire confusion. "At least--generally. "

"And what happens if you don't?" he queried. "Do they whip you and putyou to bed?"

She clenched her hands hard. "Don't!" she said. "You're only joking, Iknow. But--I hate it!"

His manner changed in a moment, became half-quizzical, half-caressing. "Poor little brown elf, what a shame! Well, come if you can! I shall lookout for you. I may have something to show you. "

"May you? Oh, what?" cried Dinah, all eagerness in a moment. 

He laughed. There was a provoking hint of mystery in his manner. "Ah!That lies in the future, _miladi_. "

"But tell me!" she persisted. 

"Will you come then?" he asked. 

"Perhaps, " she said. "If I can!"

"Ah! And perhaps not!" he said. "What then?"

Dinah's mouth grew suddenly firm. "I will come, " she said. 

"You will?" His keen eyes held hers with smiling compulsion. 

"Yes, I will. "

He made a gesture as if he would take her hand, but restrained himself, and paused to tip the ash once more off his cigarette. 

"Now tell me!" commanded Dinah. 

"I don't think I will, " he said deliberately. 

"But you must!" said Dinah. 

His eyes sought hers again with that look which she found it impossibleto meet. She bent over her cup. 

"What will you show me?" she persisted. "Tell me!"

"I didn't say I would show you anything, " he pointed out. "I said Imight. "

"Tell me what it was anyhow!" she said. 

He leaned nearer to her, and suddenly it seemed to her that they werequite alone, very far removed from the rest of the world. "It may not beto-night, " he murmured. "Or even to-morrow. But some day--in this landwhere there are no consequences--I will show you--when the fates arepropitious, not before--some of the things that Daphne missed when sheran away. "

He ceased to speak. Dinah's face was burning. She could not look at him. She felt as if a magic flame had wrapped her round. Her whole body wastingling, her heart wildly a-quiver. There was a rapture in that momentthat was almost too intense, too poignant, to be borne. 

He was the first to move. Calmly he leaned back, and resumed hiscigarette. Through the aromatic smoke his voice came to her again. 

"Are you angry?"

Her whole being stirred in response. She uttered a little quivering laughthat was near akin to tears. 

"No--of course--no! But I--I think I ought to go and dress! It's gettinglate, isn't it? Thank you for giving me tea!" She rose, her movementsquick and dainty as the flight of a robin. "Good-bye!" she murmuredshyly. 

He rose also with a sweeping bow. "_A bientôt_, --Daphne!" he said. 

She gave him a single swift glance from under fluttering lashes, andturned away in silence. 

She went up the stairs with the speed of a bird on the wing, but shecould not outpace the wonder and the wild delight at her heart. As sheentered her own room at length, she laughed, a breathless, ripplinglaugh. How amazing--and how gorgeous--was this new life!

CHAPTER XII

THE WINE OF THE GODS

The rink was ablaze with fairy-lights under the starry sky. Rose deVigne, exquisitely fair in ruby velvet and ermine furs paused on theverandah, looking pensively forth. 

Very beautiful she looked standing there, and Captain Brent of theSappers striding forth with his skates jingling in his hand stopped asone compelled. 

"Are you waiting for someone, Miss de Vigne? Or may I escort you?"

She looked at him with a faint smile as if in pity for hisdisappointment. "Too late, I am afraid, Captain Brent. I have promisedSir Eustace to skate with him. "

"Who?" Brent glanced towards the rink. "Why, he's down there alreadydancing about with your little cousin. That's her laugh. Don't you hearit?"

Dinah's laugh, clear and ringing, came to them on the still air. Rose'sslim figure stiffened very slightly, barely perceptibly, at the sound. "Sir Eustace has forgotten his engagement, " she said icily. "Yes, CaptainBrent, I will come with you. "

"Good business!" he said heartily. "It's a glorious night. Somebody saidthere was a change coming; but I don't believe it. Maddening if a thawcomes before the luging competition. The run is just perfection now. I'mgoing up there presently. It's glorious by moonlight. "

He chattered inconsequently on, happy in the fact that he had secured theprettiest girl in the hotel for his partner, and not in the leastdisturbed by any lack of response on her part. To skate with her hand inhand was the utmost height of his ambition just then, his brain not beingof a particularly aspiring order. 

Down on the rink all was gaiety and laughter. The lights shone ruby, emerald, and sapphire, upon the darting figures. The undernote of therushing skates made magic music everywhere. The whole scene wasfantastic--a glittering fairyland of colour and enchantment. 

"Each evening seems more splendid than the last, " declared Dinah. 

"They always will if you spend them in my company, " said Sir Eustace. "Doyou know I could very soon teach you to skate as perfectly as you dance?"

"I believe you could teach me anything, " she answered happily. 

"Given a free hand I believe I could, " he said. "But the gift is yours, not mine. You have the most wonderful knack of divining a mood. You adaptyourself instinctively. I never knew anyone respond so perfectly to theunspoken wish. How is it, I wonder?"

"I don't know, " she answered shyly. "But I can't help understanding whatyou want. "

"Does that mean that we are kindred spirits?" he asked, and suddenly theclasp of his hands was close and intimate. 

"I expect it does, " said Dinah; but she said it with a touch ofuneasiness. The voice that had spoken within her the night before, warning her, urging her to be gone, was beginning to murmur again, bidding her to beware. 

She turned from the subject with ready versatility, obedient to thedanger-signal. "Oh, there is Rose! I am afraid I ran away from her afterdinner. They went upstairs for coffee, but I was so dreadfully afraid ofbeing stopped that I hung behind and escaped. I do hope the Colonel won'tbe in a wax again. But I don't see that there was anything wicked in it;for Lady Grace herself is coming to look on presently. "

"I skated with Miss de Vigne nearly all the afternoon, " observed SirEustace. "But she is a regular ice-maiden. I couldn't get any enthusiasmout of her. Tell me, is she like that all through? Or is it just a pose?"

"Oh, I don't know, " Dinah said. "I've never got through the outer crust. But then of course I'm far beneath her. "

"How so?" asked Sir Eustace. 

She laughed up at him with the happy confidence of a child. "Can't yousee it for yourself? I--I am a mere guttersnipe compared to the deVignes. They live in a great house with lots of servants and cars. Theynever do a thing for themselves. I don't suppose Rose could do her hairto save her life. While we--we live in a tumble-down, ramshackle oldplace, and do all the work ourselves. I've never been away from home inmy life before. You see, we're poor, and Billy's schooling takes up a lotof money. I had to leave school when he first went as a boarder. And thatis three years ago now. So I have forgotten all I ever learnt. "

"Except dancing, " he suggested. 

"Oh, well, that's born in me. I couldn't very well forget that. Mymother--" Dinah hesitated momentarily--"my mother was a dancer before shemarried. "

"And she taught you?" asked Sir Eustace. 

"No, no! She never taught me anything except useful things--like cookingand sewing and house-work. And I detest them all, " said Dinah frankly. "Ilike sweeping the garden and digging the potatoes far better. "

"She keeps you busy then, " commented Sir Eustace, with semi-humorousinterest. 

"Busy isn't the word for it, " declared Dinah. "I'm going from morningtill night. We do the washing at home too. I get up at five and go to bedat nine. I make nearly all my own clothes too. That's why I haven't gotany, " she ended naively. 

He laughed. "Not really! But what makes you work so hard as that? You'rewasting all your best time. You'll never be so young again, you know. "

"I know!" cried Dinah, and suddenly a wild gust of rebellion wentthrough her. "It's hateful! I never knew how hateful till I came here. Going back will be--too horrible for words. But--" her voice fellabruptly flat--"what am I to do?"

"I should go on strike, " he said lightly. "Tell your good mother that shemust find someone else to do the work! You are going to take it easy andenjoy yourself. "

Dinah uttered a short, painful laugh. 

"Wouldn't that do?" he asked. 

"No. "

"Why not?" he questioned with indolent amusement. "Surely you're notafraid of the broomstick!"

Dinah gave a great start, and suddenly, as they skated, pressed close tohim with the action of some small, terrified creature seeking shelter. "Oh, don't--don't let us spoil this perfect night by talking of my homeaffairs!" she pleaded, her voice quick and passionate. "I want to puteverything right away. I want to forget there is such a place as home. "

His arm was around her in a moment. He held her caught to him. "I cansoon make you forget that, my Daphne, " he said. "I can lead you throughsuch a wonderland as will dazzle you into complete forgetfulness ofeverything else. But you must trust me, you know. You mustn't be afraid. "

He was drawing her away from the glare of coloured lights as he spoke, drawing her to the further end of the rink where stood a tiny, rusticpavilion. 

She went with him with a breathless sense of high adventure, skimming theice in time with his rhythmic movements, mesmerized into an enchantedquiescence. 

They reached the pavilion, and he paused. The other skaters were leftbehind. They stood as it were in a magic circle all their own. And onlythe moon looked on. 

"Ah, Daphne!" he said, and took her in his arms. 

There came to Dinah then a wild and desperate sense of fear, fear thatwas coupled with a wholly unreasoning and instinctive shame. She strainedback from him. "Oh no! Oh no!" she gasped. "I mustn't! I'm sure it'swrong!"

But he mastered her very slowly, wholly without violence, yet whollyirresistibly. His dark face with its blue, compelling eyes dominated her, conquered her. And all her life resistance had been quelled in her. Herwill wavered and was down. 

"Why should it be wrong?" he whispered. "I tell you that nothingmatters--nothing matters. We take our pleasures, and we tell no one. Itis no one's business but our own, sweetheart. And nothing is wrong, if noharm is done to anyone. "

Subtle, alluring, half-laughing, half-relentless, he drew her closer yet, he bent and pressed his lips upon her upturned face. But she quiveredstill and shrank, though unresisting. She could not give her lips to his. His kiss burned through and through her, so that she longed to flee awayand hide. 

For though that kiss sent a thrill of wild ecstasy through her, there wasanguish mingled therewith. Even while she exulted over her unexpectedvictory, she was smitten with the thought that it had cost her too dear. Had she told him too much about herself that he held her thus cheaply?Would he--however urgent his desire to do so--would he have dreamed oftreating Rose thus? Or any other girl of his own standing?

The thought went through her like a dagger. She bent herself back overhis arm avoiding his lips a second time. That one kiss had opened hereyes. 

"Oh, let me go!" she said, her voice muffled and tremulous. "Youmustn't--ever--do it again. "

"Why not?" he whispered softly. "What does it matter? This is the land ofno consequences. "

"I can't help it, " she whispered back. "It may not mean anything to you. But--but--it makes me feel--wicked. "

He laughed at her with tender ridicule. His arms still held her, but nolonger closely. 

"Don't be afraid, my elf of the mountains!" he said. "I won't do itagain--yet. But there is nothing in it I tell you. And what does itmatter if no one knows? Why shouldn't you have all the fun you can get?"

Dinah straightened herself, and passed her hands over her face with anoddly childish gesture. He behaved as though he had conferred a favourupon her; but yet the horrible feeling of shame lingered. Her mother'smost drastic punishments had never humbled her more completely. 

She drew herself from his hold. "I feel it does matter, " she said, hervoice pathetically small and shy. "But--I know you didn't mean to--tooffend me. So let's forget it, please! Let's go back!"

She gave him her hand with a timid gesture, and he took it with a smilethat held arrogance as well as amusement. "We will go back certainly, " hesaid. "But we shall not forget. We have tasted the wine of the gods, myDaphne, and there is magic in the draught. Those who drink once are boundto come again for more. "

"Oh no! Oh no!" said Dinah. 

But even as she said it, she felt herself to be battling against destiny. 

In that moment she knew beyond all doubting that by some means of whichshe had no understanding he had caught her will and made it captive. Elude him though she might for a time, she was bound to be his helplessprisoner at the last. 

Yet his magnetism was such that she yielded herself to him almostmechanically as they went back into the giddy vortex of the carnival. Even in the midst of her dismay and uncertainty, she was strangely, almost deliriously happy. 

Romance with gold-tipped wings unfurled had suddenly descended from thehigh heavens and flitted before her, luring her on. 

CHAPTER XIII

FRIENDSHIP IN THE DESERT

On the edge of the rink immediately below the hotel, a slight figure wasstanding, patient as the Sphinx, awaiting them. 

Sir Eustace's keen eyes lighted upon it from afar. "There is my brother, "he said. "We will go and speak to him if you have no objection. "

Dinah received the suggestion with eagerness. She was possessed for themoment by an urgent desire to get back to the commonplace. She had beenwhirled off her feet, and albeit the flight had held rapture, she had adesperate longing to tread solid ground once more. 

Possibly her companion shared something of this feeling. The game washis, but there was no more to be won from her that night. The time hadcome to descend from the heights to the dull and banal levels. He divinedher wish to return to earth, and he had no reason for thwarting it. Witha careless laugh he put on speed and rushed her dizzily through thethrong. 

To Dinah it was as a rapid fall through space. She felt as if she hadbeen suddenly shot from the gates of Olympus. She reached Scott, flushedand breathless and quivering still with the wonder of it. 

He greeted her courteously. "Are you having a good time, Miss Bathurst?"

She answered him gaspingly. Somehow it was an immense relief to findherself by his side. "Yes; a glorious time. But I am coming off now. Haveyou--have you seen anything of Lady Grace or the Colonel?"

"I have just had the pleasure of making Lady Grace's acquaintance, " hesaid. "Are you really coming off now? Have you had enough?"

She passed over his last question, for the wonder pierced her if she hadnot had too much. "Yes, really. I am going to change my boots. I leftthem somewhere here. I wonder where they are. Ah, there they are againstthe railing! No, please don't! I can manage quite well. I would rather. "

She sat down on the bank, and bent her hot face over her task. 

The two brothers remained near her. Scott was apparently waiting for her. They exchanged a few low words. 

"I'll do my level best, old chap, " she heard Scott say. "But if I don'tsucceed, it can't be helped. Rome wasn't built in a day. "

Eustace made an impatient sound, and muttered something in a whisper. 

"No, " Scott said in answer. "Not that! Never with my consent. It wouldn'tdo, man! I tell you it wouldn't do. Can't you take my word for it?"

"You're as obstinate as a mule, Stumpy, " his brother said, in tones ofirritation. "It'll come to it sooner or later. You're only prolonging theagony. "

"I am doing my best, " Scott said gravely. "Give me credit for that atleast!"

Sir Eustace clapped a sudden hand on his shoulder. "No one doubts that, my boy. You're true gold. But it's sheer foolishness to go on in the sameold way that's proved a failure a hundred times. In heaven's name, nowthat we've hauled her out of that infernal groove, don't let idioticsentimentality spoil everything! Don't shy at the consequences! I'll beresponsible for them. "

Dinah glanced up. She saw that for the moment she was forgotten. Thelight was shining upon Scott's face, and she read in it undeniableperplexity, but the eyes were steadfast and wholly calm. 

He even smiled a little as he said, "My dear chap, have you everconsidered the consequences of anything--counted the cost before you cameto pay? No, never!"

"Don't preach to me!" Eustace said sharply. 

"No. I won't. But don't you talk in that airy way about responsibilityto me! Because--" Scott's smile broadened and became openlyaffectionate--"it just won't go down, dear fellow! I can't swallowcamels--never could. "

"You can strain at gnats though, " commented Sir Eustace, pivoting roundon his skates. "Well, you know my sentiments. I haven't put my foot downyet. But I'm going to--pretty soon. It's got to be done. And if you can'tbring yourself to it, --well, I shall, that's all. "

He was gone with the words, swift as an arrow, leaving behind him a spaceso empty that Dinah felt a sudden queer little pang of desolation. 

Scott remained motionless, deep in thought, for the passage of severalseconds. Then abruptly the consciousness of her presence came upon him, and he turned to her. She was sitting on the bank looking up at him withfrank interest. Their eyes met. 

And then a very curious thing happened to Dinah. She flinched under hislook, flinched and averted her own. A great shyness suddenly surgedthrough her, a quivering, overmastering sense of embarrassment. For inthat moment she viewed the flight to Olympus as he would have viewed it, and was horribly, overwhelmingly ashamed. She could not break thesilence. She had no words to utter--no possible means at hand by which tocover her discomfiture. 

It was he who spoke, in his voice a tinge of restraint. "I was going toask if it would bore you to come and see my sister again this evening. Ihave obtained Lady Grace's permission for you to do so. "

She sprang to her feet. "Of course--of course I would love to!" she saidrather incoherently. "How could it bore me? I--I should like it--morethan anything. "

He smiled faintly, and held out his hand for the boots she had justdiscarded. "That is more than kind of you, " he said. "My sister wasafraid you might not want to come. "

"Of course I want to come!" maintained Dinah. "Oh no, thank you; Icouldn't let you carry my boots. How clever of you to tackle Lady Grace!What did she say?"

"Neither she nor the Colonel made any difficulty about it at all, " Scottsaid. "I told them my sister was an invalid. Lady Grace said that I mustnot keep you after ten, and I promised I wouldn't. "

His manner was kindly and quizzical, and Dinah's embarrassment began topass. But he discomfited her afresh as they walked across the road bysaying, "You have made it up with my brother, I see. "

Dinah's cheeks burned again. "Yes, " she said, after a moment. "We made itup this afternoon. "

"That was very lucky--for him, " observed Scott rather dryly. 

Dinah made a swift leap for the commonplace. "I hate being cross withpeople, " she said, "or to have them cross with me; don't you?"

"I think it is sometimes unavoidable, " said Scott gravely. 

"Oh, surely you are never cross!" said Dinah impetuously. "I can'timagine it. "

"Wait till you see it!" said Scott, with a smile. 

They entered the hotel together. Dinah was tingling with excitement. Shehad managed to escape from her discomfiture, but she still felt that anyprolonged intercourse with the man beside her would bring it back. Shewas beginning to know Scott as one who would not hesitate to say exactlywhat he thought, and not for all she possessed in the world would shehave had him know what had passed in that far corner of the rink so shorta time before. 

She chattered inconsequently upon ordinary topics as they ascended thestairs together, but when they reached the door of Isabel's sitting-roomshe became suddenly shy again. 

"Hadn't I better run and take off my things?" she whispered. "I feel sountidy. "

He looked at her. She was clad in the white woollen cap and coat that shehad worn in the day. Her eyes were alight and sparkling, her brown faceflushed. She looked the very incarnation of youth. 

"I think she will like to see you as you are, " said Scott. 

He knocked upon the door three times as before, and in a moment openedit. 

"Go in, won't you?" he said, standing back. 

Dinah entered. 

"Ah! She has come!" A hollow voice said, and in a moment her shyness wasgone. 

She moved forward eagerly, saw Isabel seated in a low chair, andimpulsively went to her. "How kind you are to ask me to come again!" shesaid. 

And then all in a moment Isabel's arms came out to her, and she slippeddown upon her knees beside her into their close embrace. 

"How kind of you to come, dear child!" Isabel murmured. "I am afraid itis a visit to the desert for you. "

"But I love to come!" Dinah told her with warm lips raised. "I can't tellyou how much. I was never so happy before. Each day seems lovelier thanthe last. "

Isabel kissed her lingeringly, tenderly. "My dear, you have a happyheart, " she said. "Tell me what you have been doing since I saw youlast!"

She would have let her go, but Dinah clung to her still, her cheekagainst her shoulder. "I have been very frivolous, dear Mrs. Everard, "she said. "I have done lots of things. This afternoon we were luging, andnow I have just come from the carnival, I wish you could have been there. Some people are wearing the most horrible masks. Billy--my brother--has abeauty. He made it himself. I rather wanted it to wear, but he wouldn'tpart with it. "

"You could never wear a mask, sweetheart, " Isabel said, clasping thesmall brown hand in hers. "Your face is too sweet a thing to hide. "

Dinah hugged her in naïve delight. "I always thought I was ugly before, "she said. 

Isabel's face wore a wan smile. She stroked the girl's soft cheek. "Mydear, no one with a heart like yours could have an ugly face. How did youenjoy your dance with Eustace last night?"

Dinah bent her head a little, wishing earnestly that Scott were not inthe room. "I loved it, " she said in a low voice. 

"And afterwards?" questioned Isabel. "No one was vexed with you, I hope?"

Dinah hesitated. "Colonel de Vigne wasn't best pleased, I'm afraid, " shesaid, after a moment. 

"He scolded you!" said Isabel, swift regret in her voice. "I am so sorry, dear child. I ought to have gone to look after you. I was selfish. "

"Oh no--indeed!" Dinah protested. "It was entirely my own fault. He wouldhave been cross in any case. They are like that. "

Isabel uttered a sigh. "I shall have to try to meet them. Naturally theywill not let you come to total strangers. Stumpy, remind me in themorning! I must manage somehow to meet this child's guardians. "

"Of course, dear, " said Scott. 

Dinah, glancing towards him, saw him exchange a swift look with the oldnurse in the background, but his voice held neither surprise norgratification. He took out a cigarette and began to smoke. 

Isabel leaned back in her chair with abrupt weariness as if in reactionfrom the strain of a sudden unwonted exertion. "Let me see! Do I knowyour Christian name? Ah yes, --Dinah! What a pretty gipsy name! I thinkyou are a little gipsy, are you not? You have the charm of the woodsabout you. Won't you sit in that chair, dear? You can't be comfortable onthe floor. "

But Dinah preferred to sit down against her knee, still holding theslender, inert hand. 

"Tell me about your home!" Isabel said, closing languid eyes. "I can'ttalk much more, but I can listen. It does not tire me to listen. "

Dinah hesitated somewhat. "I don't think you would find it veryinteresting, " she said. 

"But I am interested, " Isabel said. "You live in the country, I think yousaid. "

"At a place called Perrythorpe, " Dinah said. "It's a great huntingcountry. My father hunts a lot and shoots too. "

"Do you hunt?" asked Isabel. 

"Oh no, never! There's never any time. I go for rambles sometimes onSundays. Other days I am always busy. Fancy me hunting!" said Dinah, witha little laugh. 

"I used to, " said Isabel. "They always said I should end with a brokenneck. But I never did. "

"Are you very fond of riding?" asked Dinah. 

"Not now, dear. I am not fond of anything now. Tell me some more, won'tyou? What makes you so busy that you never have time for any fun?"

Again Dinah hesitated. "You see, we're poor, " she said. "My mother and Ido all the work of the house and garden too. "

"And your father is able to hunt?" Isabel's eyes opened. Her hand closedupon Dinah's caressingly. 

"Oh yes, he has always hunted, " Dinah said. "I don't think he could dowithout it. He would find it so dull. "

"I see, " said Isabel. "But he can't afford pleasures for you. "

There was no perceptible sarcasm in her voice, but Dinah coloured alittle and went at once to her father's defence. 

"He sends Billy to a public school. Of course I--being only a girl--don'tcount. And he has sent us out here, which was very good of him--thesweetest thing he has ever done. He had a lucky speculation the otherday, and he has spent it nearly all on us. Wasn't that kind of him?"

"Very kind, dear, " said Isabel gently. "How long are you to have outhere?"

"Only three weeks, and half the time is gone already, " sighed Dinah. "Thede Vignes are not staying longer. The Colonel is a J. P. , and much tooimportant to stay away for long. And they are going to have a largehouse-party. There isn't much more than a week left now. " She sighedagain. 

"And then you will have no more fun at all?" asked Isabel. 

"Not a scrap--nothing but work. " Dinah's voice quivered a little. "Idon't suppose it has been very good for me coming out here, " she said. "I--I believe I'm much too fond of gaiety really. "

Isabel's hand touched her cheek. "Poor little girl!" she said. "But youwouldn't like to leave your mother to do all the drudgery alone. "

"Oh yes, I should, " said Dinah, with a touch of recklessness. "I'd nevergo back if I could help it. I love Dad of course; but--" She paused. 

"You don't love your mother?" supplemented Isabel. 

Dinah leaned her face suddenly against the caressing hand. "Not much, I'mafraid, " she whispered. 

"Poor little girl!" Isabel murmured again compassionately. 

CHAPTER XIV

THE PURPLE EMPRESS

Colonel De Vigne once more wore his most magisterial air when afterbreakfast on the following morning he drew Dinah aside. 

She looked at him with swift apprehension, even with a tinge of guilt. His lecture of the previous morning was still fresh in her mind. Could hehave seen her on the ice with Sir Eustace on the previous night, sheasked herself? Surely, surely not!

Apparently he had, however; for his first words were admonitory. 

"Look here, young lady, you're making yourself conspicuous with thatthree-volume-novel baronet: You don't want to be conspicuous, I suppose?"

Her face burned crimson at the question. Then he had seen, or at least hemust know, something! She stood before him, too overwhelmed for speech. 

"You don't, eh?" he insisted, surveying her confusion with grimrelentlessness. 

"Of course not!" she whispered at last. 

He put a hand on her shoulder. "Very well then! Don't let there be anymore of it! You've been a good girl up till now but the last two daysseem to have turned your head. I shan't be able to give a good report toyour mother when we get home if this sort of thing goes on. "

Dinah's heart sank still lower. The thought of the return home had begunto dog her like an evil dream. 

With a great effort she met the Colonel's stern gaze. "I am very sorry, "she faltered. "But--but Lady Grace did say I might go and see Mrs. Everard--the invalid sister--yesterday. "

"I know she did. She thought you had been flirting with Sir Eustace longenough. "

Dinah's sky began to clear a little. "Then you don't mind my going to seeher?" she said. 

"So long as you are not there too often, " conceded the Colonel. "Theyounger brother is a nice little chap. There is no danger of your gettingup to mischief with him. "

Dinah's face burned afresh at the suggestion. He evidently did notactually know; but he suspected very strongly. Still it was a greatrelief to know that all intercourse with these wonderful new friends ofhers was not to be barred. 

"There was some talk of a sleigh-drive this afternoon, " she ventured, after a moment. "Mr. Studley is taking his sister and she asked me to gotoo. May I?"

"You accepted, I suppose?" demanded the Colonel. 

"I said I thought I might, " Dinah admitted. And then very suddenly shecaught a kindly gleam in his eyes, and summoned courage for entreaty. "Doplease--please--let me go!" she begged, clasping his arm. "I shan't everhave any fun again when this is over. "

"How do you know that?" said the Colonel gruffly. "Yes, you cango--you can go. But behave yourself soberly, there's a good girl. Andremember--no running after the other fellow to-night! I won't have it. Is that understood?"

Dinah, too rejoiced over this concession to trouble about futureprohibitions, gave cheerful acquiescence to the fiat. Perhaps she wasbeginning to realize that she would see quite as much of Sir Eustace aswas at all advisable or even to be desired, without running after him. Infact, so shy had the previous night's flight with him made her, that shedid not feel the slightest wish to encounter him again at present. To goout sleigh-driving with Scott and his sister was all that she asked oflife that day. 

It was a glorious morning despite all prophecies of a coming change, andshe spent it joyously luging with Billy. Sir Eustace had gone ski-ingwith Captain Brent, and the only glimpse she had of him was a very farone, so far that she knew him only by the magnificence of his physique ashe descended the mountain-side as one borne upon wings. 

She recalled the brief conversation that the brothers had held in herhearing the night before, and marvelled at the memory of Scott's attitudetowards him. 

"He isn't a bit afraid of him, " she reflected. "In fact he behavesexactly as if he were the bigger of the two. "

This phenomenon puzzled her very considerably, for Scott was whollylacking in the pomposity that characterizes many little men. She wonderedwhat had been the subject of their discussion. It had been connected withIsabel, she felt sure. She was glad to think that she had Scott toprotect her, for there was something of tyranny about the elder brotherfrom which she shrank instinctively, his magnetism notwithstanding, andthe thought of poor, tragic Isabel being coerced by it was intolerable. 

The memory of the latter's resolution to make the acquaintance of the deVignes recurred to her as she and Billy returned for luncheon. Would shecarry it out? She wondered. The look that Scott had flung at the oldnurse dwelt in her mind. It would evidently be an extraordinary move ifshe did. 

They reached the hotel, Rose and another girl had just come up from therink together. A little knot of people were gathered on the verandah. Dinah and Billy kept behind Rose and her companion; but in a moment Dinahheard her name. 

The group parted, and she saw Isabel Everard, very tall and stately in adeep purple coat, standing with Lady Grace de Vigne. 

Billy gave her a push. "Go on! They're calling you. "

And Dinah found the strange sad eyes upon her, alight with a smile ofwelcome. She went forward impetuously, and in a moment Isabel's coldhands were clasped upon her warm ones. 

"I have been waiting for you, dear child, " the low voice said. "What haveyou been doing?"

Dinah suddenly felt as if she were standing in the presence of aprincess. Isabel in public bore herself with a haughtiness fully equal tothat displayed by Sir Eustace, and she knew that Lady Grace was impressedby it. 

"I would have come back sooner if I had known, " she said, closely holdingthe long, slender fingers. 

"My dear, you are woefully untidy now you have come, " murmured LadyGrace. 

But Isabel gently freed one hand to put her arm about the girl. "To meshe is--just right, " she said, and in her voice there sounded the musicof a great tenderness. "Youth is never tidy, Lady Grace; but there isnothing in the world like it. "

Lady Grace's eyes went to her daughter whose faultless apparel andperfection of line were in vivid contrast to Dinah's harum-scarumappearance. 

"I do not altogether agree with you in that respect, Mrs. Everard, " shesaid, with a smile. "I think young girls should always aim at beingpresentable. But I quite admit that it is more difficult for some thanfor others. Dinah, my dear, Mrs. Everard has been kind enough to ask youto lunch in her sitting-room with her, and to go for a sleigh-driveafterward; so you had better run and get respectable as quickly as youcan. "

"Oh, how kind you are!" Dinah said, with earnest eyes uplifted. "You knowhow I shall love to come, don't you?"

"I thought you might, dear, " Isabel said. "Scott is coming to keep uscompany. He has arranged for a sleigh to be here in an hour. We are goingfor a twelve-mile round, so we must not be late starting. It gets so coldafter sundown. "

"I had better go then, hadn't I?" said Dinah. 

"I am coming too, " Isabel said. Her arm was still about her. It remainedso as she turned to go. "Good-bye, Lady Grace! I will take great care ofthe child. Thank you for allowing her to come. "

She bowed with regal graciousness and moved away, taking Dinah with her. 

"Exit Purple Empress!" murmured a man in the background close to Rose. "Who on earth is she? I haven't seen her anywhere before. "

Rose uttered her soft, artificial laugh. "She is Sir Eustace Studley'ssister. Rather peculiar, I believe, even eccentric. But I understand theyare of very good birth. "

"That covers a multitude of sins, " he commented. "She's been a mightyhandsome woman in her day. She must be many years older than Sir Eustace. She looks more like his mother than his sister. "

"I believe she is actually younger, " Rose said. "They say she has neverrecovered from the sudden death of her husband some years ago, but I knownothing of the circumstances. "

"A very charming woman, " said Lady Grace, joining them. "We have hadquite a long chat together. Yes, her manner is a little strange, slightlyabstracted, as if she were waiting for something or someone. But a veryeasy companion on the whole. I think you will like her, Rose dear. "

"She's dead nuts on Dinah, " observed Billy with a chuckle. "She don'tlook at anyone else when she's got Dinah. "

Lady Grace smiled over his head and took no verbal notice of the remark. 

"They are a distinguished-looking family, " she said. "Run and wash yourhands, Billy. Are you thinking of ski-ing this afternoon, Rose?"

"You bet!" murmured Billy, under his breath. He too had seen the distantfigure of Sir Eustace on the mountain-side. 

"It depends, " said Rose, non-committally. 

"Captain Brent and Sir Eustace have been on skis all the morning, " saidher mother. "We must see what they say about it. "

Billy spun a coin into the air behind her back. "Heads Sir Eustace andtails Captain Brent, " he muttered to the man who had commented uponIsabel's beauty. "Heads it is!"

Lady Grace turned round with a touch of sharpness at the sound of hiscompanion's laugh. "Billy! Did I not tell you to go and wash your hands?"

Billy's green eyes smiled impudent acknowledgment. "You did, Lady Grace. And I'm going. Good-bye!"

He pocketed the coin, winked at his friend, and departed whistling. 

"A very unmannerly little boy!" observed Lady Grace, with severity. "Come, my dear Rose! We must go in. "

"I don't like either the one or the other, " said Rose, with a veryunusual touch of petulance. "They are always in the way. "

"I fully agree with you, " said Lady Grace acidly. "But it is for thefirst and last time in their lives. I have already told the Colonel so. He will never ask them to accompany us again. "

"Thank goodness for that!" said Rose, with restored amiability. "Ofcourse I am sorry for poor little Dinah; but there is a limit. "

"Which is very nearly reached, " said Lady Grace. 

CHAPTER XV

THE MOUNTAIN CREST

That sleigh-drive was to Dinah the acme of delight, and for ever afterthe jingle of horse-bells was to recall it to her mind. The sight of thegay red trappings, the trot of the muffled hoofs, the easy motion of thesleigh slipping over the white road, and above all, Isabel, clad inpurple and seated beside her, a figure of royal distinction, made apicture in her mind that she was never to forget. She rode in a magicchariot through wonderland. 

She longed to delay the precious moments as they flew, like a childchasing butterflies in the sunshine; but they only seemed to fly thefaster. She chattered almost incessantly for the first few miles, andoccasionally Isabel smiled and answered her; but for the most part it wasScott, seated opposite, who responded to her raptures, --Scott, unfailingly attentive and courteous, but ever watchful of his sister'sface. 

She gazed straight ahead when she was not looking at anything to whichDinah called her attention. Her eyes had the intense look of one whowatches perpetually for something just out of sight. 

Quiet but alert, he marked her attitude, marked also the emaciation whichwas so painfully apparent in the strong sunshine and formed so piteous acontrast to the vivid youth of the girl beside her. Presently Dinah cameout of her rhapsodies and observed his vigilance. She watched himcovertly for a time while she still chatted on. And she noted that therewere very weary lines about his eyes, lines of anxiety, lines ofsleeplessness, that filled her warm heart with quick sympathy and alonging to help. 

The road was one of wild beauty. It wound up a desolate mountain passalong which great black boulders were scattered haphazard like the mightytoys of a giant. The glittering snow lay all around them, making theirnakedness the more apparent. And far, far above, the white crags shonewith a dazzling purity in the sunlit air. 

Below them the snow lay untrodden, exquisitely pure, piled here in greatdrifts, falling away there in wonderful curves and hollows, but alwaysshowing a surface perfect and undesecrated by any human touch. And everthe sleigh ran smoothly on over the white road till it seemed to Dinah asif they moved in a dream. She fell silent, charmed by the swift motion, and by the splendour around her. 

"You are quite warm, I hope?" Scott said, after an interval. 

She was wrapped in a fur cloak belonging to Isabel. She smiled anaffirmative, but she saw him as through a veil. The mystery and thewonder of creation filled her soul. 

"I feel, " she said, "I feel as if we were being taken up into heaven. "

"Oh, that we were!" said Isabel, speaking suddenly with a force that hadin it something terrible. "Do you see those golden peaks, sweetheart?That is where I would be. That is where the gates of Heaven open--wherethe lost are found. "

Dinah's hand was clasped in hers under the fur rug, and she felt the thinfingers close with a convulsive hold. 

Scott leaned forward. "Heaven is nearer to us than that, Isabel, " he saidgently. 

She looked at him for a moment, but her eyes at once passed beyond. "No, no, Stumpy! You never understand, " she said restlessly. "I must reach themountain-tops or die. I am tired--I am tired of my prison. And I stiflein the valley--I who have watched the sun rise and set from the very edgeof the world. Why did they take me away? If I had only waited a littlelonger--a little longer--as he told me to wait!" Her voice suddenlyvibrated with a craving that was passionate. "He would have come with thenext sunrise. I always knew that the dawn would bring him back to me. But"--dull despair took the place of longing--"they took me away, and thesun has never shone since. "

"Isabel!" Scott's voice was very grave and quiet. "Miss Bathurst willwonder what you mean. Don't forget her!"

Dinah pressed close to her friend's side. "Oh, but I do understand!" shesaid softly. "And, dear Mrs. Everard, I wish I could help you. But Ithink Mr. Studley must be right. It is easier to get to heaven than toclimb those mountain-peaks. They are so very steep and far away. "

"So is Heaven, child, " said Isabel, with a sigh of great weariness. 

As it were with reluctance, she again met the steady gaze of Scott'seyes, and gradually her mood seemed to change. Her brief animationdropped away from her; she became again passive, inert, save that shestill seemed to be watching. 

Scott broke the silence, kindly and practically. "We ought to reach the_châlet_ at the head of the pass soon, " he said. "You will be glad ofsome tea. "

"Oh, are we going to stop for tea?" said Dinah. 

"That's the idea, " said Scott. "And then back by another way. We ought toget a good view of the sunset. I hope it won't be misty, but they say achange is coming. "

"I hope it won't come yet, " said Dinah fervently. "The last few days havebeen so perfect. And there is so little time left. "

Scott smiled. "That is the worst of perfection, " he said. "It neverlasts. "

Dinah's eyes were wistful. "It will go on being perfect here long afterwe have left, " she said. "Isn't it dreadful to think of all the goodthings--all the beauty--one misses just because one isn't there?"

"It would be if there were nothing else to think of, " said Scott. "Butthere is beauty everywhere--if we know how to look for it. "

She looked at him uncertainly. "I never knew what it meant before I camehere, " she told him shyly. "There is no time for beautiful things in mylife. It's very, very drab and ugly. And I am very discontented. I havenever been anything else. "

Her voice quivered a little as she made the confession. Scott's eyes wereso kind, so full of friendly understanding. Isabel had dropped out oftheir intercourse as completely as though her presence had beenwithdrawn. She lay back against her cushions, but her eyes were stillwatching, watching incessantly. 

"I think the very dullest life can be made beautiful, " Scott said, aftera moment. "Even the desert sand is gold when the sun shines on it. Thetrouble is, --" he laughed a little--"to get the sun to shine. "

Dinah leaned forward eagerly, confidentially. "Yes?" she questioned. 

He looked her suddenly straight in the eyes. "There is a great store ofsunshine in you, " he said. "One can't come near you without feeling it. Isabel will tell you the same. Do you keep it only for the Alps? Ifso, --" he paused. 

Dinah's face flushed suddenly under his look. "If so?" she asked, underher breath. 

He smiled. "Well, it seems a pity, that's all, " he said. "Rather a wastetoo when you come to think of it. "

Dinah's eyes caught the reflection of his smile. "I shall remember that, Mr. Greatheart, " she said. 

"Forgive me for preaching!" said Scott. 

She put out a hand to him quickly, spontaneously. "You don't preach--andit does me good, " she said somewhat incoherently. "Please--always--saywhat you like to me!"

"At risk of hurting you?" said Scott. He held the small, impulsive hand amoment and let it go. 

"You could never hurt me, " Dinah answered. "You are far too kind. "

"I think the kindness is on your side, " he answered gravely. "Most peopleof my acquaintance would think me a bore--if nothing worse. "

"Most people have never really met you, Stumpy, " said Isabelunexpectedly. "Dinah is one of the privileged few, and I am glad sheappreciates it. "

"Good heavens!" said Scott, flushing a deep red. "Spare me, Isabel!"

Dinah broke into her gay, infectious laugh. "Please--please don't beupset about it! I'm glad I'm one of the few. I've felt you were a princein disguise all along. "

"Very much in disguise!" protested Scott. "Remove that, and there wouldbe nothing left. "

"Except a man, " said Isabel, "You can't get away, Stumpy. You're caught. "

A fleeting smile crossed her face like a gleam of light and was gone. Sheturned her look upon Dinah, and became silent again. 

Scott, much disconcerted, hunted in every pocket for his cigarette-case. "You don't mind my smoking, I hope?" he murmured. 

"I like it, " said Dinah. "Let me help you light up!"

She made a screen with her hands, and guarded the flame from the draught. 

He thanked her courteously, recovering his composure with a smile thatwas not without self-ridicule, and in a moment they were talking againupon impersonal matters. But the episode, slight though it was, dwelt inDinah's mind thereafter with an odd persistence. She felt as if Isabelhad given her a flashlight glimpse of something which otherwise she wouldscarcely have realized. In that single fleeting moment of revelation shehad seen that which no vision of knight in shining armour could havesurpassed. 

They reached the _châlet_ at the top of the pass, and descended for tea. The windows looked right down the snow-clad valley up which they hadcome. The sun had begun to sink, and the greater part of it lay inshadow. 

Far away, rising out of the shadows, all golden amid floating mists, wasa mighty mountain crest, higher than all around. The sun-rays lighted upits wondrous peaks. The glory of it was unearthly, almost more than theeye could bear. 

Dinah stood on the little wooden verandah of the _châlet_ and gazed andgazed till the splendour nearly blinded her. 

"Still watching the Delectable Mountains?" said Scott's voice at hershoulder. 

She made a little gesture in response. She could not take her eyes offthe wonder. 

He came and stood beside her in mute sympathy while he finished hiscigarette. There was a certain depression in his attitude of whichpresently she became aware. She summoned her resolution and turnedherself from the great vision that so drew her. 

He was leaning against a post of the verandah, and she read again in hisattitude the weariness that she had marked earlier in the afternoon. 

"Are you--troubled about your sister?" she asked him diffidently. 

He threw away the end of his cigarette and straightened himself. "Yes, Iam troubled, " he said, in a low voice. "I am afraid it was a mistake tobring her here. "

"I thought her looking better this morning, " Dinah ventured. 

His grey eyes met hers. "Did you? I thought it a good sign that sheshould make the effort to speak to strangers. But I am not certain nowthat it has done her any good. We brought her here to wake her from herlethargy. Eustace thought the air would work wonders, but--I am not sure. It is certainly waking her up. But--to what?"

His eyelids drooped heavily, and he passed his hand across his foreheadwith a gesture that went to her heart. 

"It's rather soon to judge, isn't it?" she said. 

"Yes, " he admitted. "But there is a change in her; there is anundoubted change. She gets hardly any rest, and the usual draught atnight scarcely takes effect. Of course the place is noisy. That may havesomething to do with it. My brother is very anxious to put a stop to thesleeping-draught altogether. But I can't agree to that. She has neverslept naturally since her loss--never slept and never wept. Biddy--theold nurse--declares if she could only cry, all would come right. But Idon't know--I don't know. "

He uttered a deep sigh, and leaned once more upon the balustrade. 

Dinah came close to him, her sweet face full of concern. "Mr. Studley, "she murmured, "you--you don't think I do her any harm, do you?"

"You!" He gave a start and looked at her with that in his eyes thatreassured her in a moment. "My dear child, no! You are a perfect godsendto her--and to me also, if you don't mind my saying so. No--no! Themischief that I fear will probably develop after you have gone. As longas you are here, I am not afraid for her. Yours is just the sort ofinfluence that she needs. "

"Oh, thank you!" Dinah said gratefully. "I was afraid just for a moment, because I know I have been silly and flighty. I try to be sober when I amwith her, but--"

"Don't try to be anything but yourself, Miss Bathurst!" he said. "I haveconfided in you just because you are yourself; and I wouldn't have youany different for the world. You help her just by being yourself. "

Dinah laughed while she shook her head. "I wish I were as nice as youseem to think I am. "

He laughed also. "Perhaps you have never realized how nice you reallyare, " he returned with a simplicity equal to her own. "Ah! Here comesIsabel! I expect she is ready. We had better go in. "

They met her as they turned inwards. The reflection of the sunset glorywas in her face recalling some of its faded beauty. She took Dinah's arm, looking at her with a strangely wistful smile. 

"I want you now, sweetheart, " she said. "Scott can have histurn--afterwards. "

"I want you too, " said Dinah instantly, squeezing her hand very closely. "Come and look at the mountains! They are so glorious now that the sun issetting. "

They turned back for a few moments and Isabel's eyes went to that far andwonderful mountain crest. The gold was turning to rose. The glorydeepened even as they watched. 

"The peaks of Paradise, " breathed Dinah softly. 

Isabel was silent for a space, her eyes fixed and yearning. Then atlength in a low voice that thrilled with an emotion beyond words shespoke. 

"I know now where to look. That is where he is waiting for me. That iswhere I shall find him. "

And then swiftly she turned, aware of her brother close behind her. 

He looked at her with eyes of deep compassion. "Some day, Isabel!" hesaid gently. 

She made a swift gesture as of one who brushes aside every hindrance. "Soon!" she said. "Very soon!"

Scott's eyes met Dinah's for a single instant, and she thought they heldsuffering as well as weariness. But they fell immediately. He stood backin silence for them to pass. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE SECOND DRAUGHT

They returned to the hotel by a circuitous route that brought them by amountain-road into the village just below the hotel. The moon was risingas they ascended the final slope. The chill of mist was in the air. 

Sir Eustace was waiting for them in the porch. He helped his sister toalight, but she went by him at once with a rapt look as though she hadnot seen him. She had sat in almost unbroken silence throughout thehomeward drive. 

Dinah would have followed her in, but Sir Eustace held her back a moment. "There is to be a dance to-night, " he murmured in her ear. "May I counton you?"

She looked at him, the ecstasy of the mountains still shining in herstarry eyes. "Yes--yes! If I am allowed!" And then, with a sudden memoryof her promise to the Colonel, "But I don't suppose I shall be. And Ihaven't anything to wear except my fancy dress. "

"What of that?" he said lightly. "Call the fairies in to help!"

She laughed, and ran in. 

Not for a moment did she suppose that she would be allowed to dance thatnight; but it seemed that luck was with her, for the first person she metwas the Colonel, and he was looking so particularly well pleased withhimself and affairs in general that she stopped to tell him of her drive. 

"It's been so perfect, " she said. "I have enjoyed it! Thank you ever somany times for letting me go!"

Her flushed and happy face was very fair to see, and the Colonel smiledupon her with fatherly kindness. He could not help liking the child. Shewas such a taking imp!

"Glad you've had a good time, " he said. "I hope you thanked your friendsfor taking you. "

"I should think I did!" laughed Dinah; and then seeing that hisexpression was so benignant she slipped an ingratiating hand through hisarm. "Colonel, please--please--may I dance to-night?"

"What?" He looked at her searchingly, with a somewhat laboured attempt tobe severe. "Now--now--who do you want to dance with?"

"Anyone or no one, " said Dinah boldly. "I feel happy enough to dance bymyself. "

"That means you're in a mischievous mood, " said the Colonel. 

"It's only a Cinderella affair, " pleaded Dinah. "To-morrow's Sunday, youknow. There'll be no dancing to-morrow. "

"And a good thing too, " he commented. "A pity Sunday doesn't comeoftener! What will Lady Grace say I wonder?"

"But Rose is sure to dance, " urged Dinah. 

"I'm not so sure of that, Sir Eustace Studley has been teaching her toski all the afternoon, and if she isn't tired, she ought to be. "

"Oh, lucky Rose!" Dinah knew an instant's envy. "But I expect she'lldance all the same. And--and--I may dance with him--just once, mayn't I?There couldn't be any harm in just one dance. No one would notice that, would they?"

She pressed close to the Colonel with her petition, and he found it hardto refuse. She made it with so childlike an earnestness, and--all hispomposity notwithstanding--he had a soft heart for children. 

"There, be off with you!" he said. "Yes, you may give him one dance if heasks for it. But only one, mind! That's a bargain, is it?"

Dinah beamed radiant acquiescence. "I'll save all the rest for you. You're a dear to let me, and I'll be ever so good. Good-bye!"

She went, flitting like a butterfly up the stairs, and the Colonel smiledin spite of himself as he watched her go. "Little witch!" he muttered. "Iwonder what your mother would say to you if she knew. "

Dinah raced breathless to her room, and began a fevered toilet. It wastrue that she possessed nothing suitable for ballroom wear; but then thedance was to be quite informal, and she was too happy to fret herselfover that fact. She put on the white muslin frock which she had worn fordinner ever since she had been with the de Vignes. It gave her afairylike daintiness that had a charm of its own of which she was utterlyunconscious. Perhaps fortunately, she had no time to think of herappearance. When she descended again, her eyes were still shining with ahappiness so obvious that Billy, meeting her, exclaimed, "What have yougot to be so cheerful about?"

She proceeded to tell him of the glorious afternoon she had spent, andwas still in the midst of her description when Sir Eustace came up andjoined them. 

"I thought you would manage it, " he said, with smiling assurance. "Andnow how many may I have? All the waltzes?"

Dinah's laugh rang so gaily that several heads were turned in herdirection, and she smothered it in alarm. 

"I can only give you one, " she said, with a great effort at sobriety. 

"What? Oh, nonsense!" he protested, his blue eyes dominating hers. "Youcouldn't be so shabby as that!"

Dinah's chin pointed merrily upwards. The situation had its humour. Itwas certainly rather amusing to elude him. She knew he had caught her fartoo easily the night before. 

"It's all I have to offer, " she declared. 

"Meaning you're not going to dance more than one dance?" he asked. 

She opened her laughing eyes wide. "Why should it mean that? You're notthe only man in the room, are you?"

Sir Eustace's jaw set itself suddenly after a fashion that made himlook formidable, albeit he laughed back at her with his eyes. "Allright--Daphne, " he murmured. "I'll have the first. "

Dinah's heart gave a little throb of apprehension, but she quieted itimpatiently. What had she to fear? She nodded and lightly turned away. 

All through dinner she alternately dreaded and longed for the moment ofhis coming to claim that dance from her. That haughty confidence of hishad struck a curious chord in her soul, and the suspense was almostunbearable. 

She noticed that Rose was very serene and smiling, and she regarded hercomplacency with growing resentment. Rose could dance as often as sheliked with him, and no one would find fault. Rose had had him all toherself throughout the afternoon moreover. She knew very well that hadthe ski-ing lesson been offered to her, she would not have been allowedto avail herself of it. 

A wicked little spirit awoke within her. Why should she always be keptthus in the background? Surely her right to the joys of life was as greatas--if not greater than--Rose's! With her it would all end so soon, whileRose had the whole of her youth before her like a pleasant garden inwhich she might wander or rest at will. 

Dinah began to feel feverish. It seemed so imperative that she shouldmiss nothing good during this brief, brief time of happiness vouchsafedher by the gods. 

Her frame of mind when she entered the ballroom was curious. Mutiny anddoubt, longing and dread, warred strangely together. But the moment hecame to her, the moment she felt his arm about her, rapture came anddrove out all beside. She drank again of the wine of the gods, drankdeeply, giving herself up to it without reservation, too eager to catchevery drop thereof to trouble as to what might follow. 

He caught her mood. Possibly it was but the complement of his own. Freelyhe interpreted it, feeling her body throb in swift accord to everymotion, aware of the almost passionate surrender of her whole being tothe delight of that one magic dance. She was reckless, and he wasdetermined. If this were to be all, he would take his fill at once, andshe should have hers. Before the dance was more than half through, heguided her out of the labyrinth into the darkly curtained recess that ledout to the verandah, and there holding her, before she so much asrealized that they had ceased to dance, he gathered her suddenly andfiercely to him and covered her startled, quivering face with kisses. 

She made no outcry, attempted no resistance. He had been too sudden forthat. His mastery was too absolute. Holding her fast in the gloom, hetook what he would, till with a little sob her arms clasped his neck andshe clung to him, giving herself wholly up to him. 

But when his hold relaxed at last, she hid her face panting against hisbreast. He smoothed the dark hair with a possessive touch, laughingsoftly at her agitation. 

"Did you think you could get away from me, you brown elf?" he whispered. 

"I--I could if I tried, " she whispered back. 

His hold tightened again. "Try!" he said. 

She shook her head without lifting it. "No, " she murmured, with a shy laugh. "I don't want to. Shan't we go back--anddance--before--before--" She broke off in confusion. 

"Before what?" he said. 

She made a motion to turn her face upwards, but, finding his still close, buried it a little deeper. "I--promised the Colonel--I'd be good, " shefaltered into his shoulder. "I think I ought to begin--soon; don't you?"

"Is that why I am to have only this one dance?" he asked. 

"Yes, " she admitted. 

His caressing hand found and lightly pressed her cheek. "What are yougoing to do when it's over?" he asked. 

"I don't know, " she said. "There's Billy. I may dance with him. "

He laughed. "That's an exciting programme. Shall I tell you what I shoulddo--if I were in your place?"

"What?" said Dinah. 

Again she raised her face a few inches and again, catching a glimpse ofthe compelling blue eyes, plunged it deeply into his coat. 

He laughed again softly, with a hint of mockery. "I should have one dancewith Billy, and one with the omnipotent Colonel. And then I should betired and say good night. "

"But I shan't be a bit tired, " protested Dinah, faintly indignant. 

"Of course not, " laughed Sir Eustace. "You will be just ripe for a littlefun. There's quite a cosy sitting-out place at the end of our corridor. Ishould go to bed _viâ_ that route. "

"Oh!" said Dinah, with a gasp. 

She lifted her head in astonishment, and met the eyes that so thrilledher. "But--but that would be wrong!" she said. 

"I've done naughtier things than that, my virtuous sprite, " he said. 

But Dinah did not laugh. Very suddenly quite unbidden there flashedacross her the memory of Scott's look the night before and her ownoverwhelming confusion beneath it. What would her friend Mr. Greatheartsay to such a proposal? What would he say could he see her now? The hotblood rushed to her face at the bare thought. She drew herself away fromhim. Her rapture was gone; she was burningly ashamed. The Colonel'smajestic displeasure was as nothing in comparison with Scott's wordlessdisapproval. 

"Oh, I couldn't do that, " she said. "I--couldn't. I ought not to be herewith you now. "

"My fault, " he said easily. "I brought you here before you knew where youwere. If you go to confession, you can mention that as an extenuatingcircumstance. "

"Oh, don't!" said Dinah, inexplicably stung by his manner. "It--it isn'tnice of you to talk like that. "

He put out his hand and touched her arm lightly, persuasively. "Then youare angry with me?" he said. 

Her resentment melted. She threw him a fleeting smile. "No--no! But howcould you imagine I could tell anyone? You didn't seriously--youcouldn't!"

"There isn't much to tell, is there?" he said, his fingers closing gentlyover the soft roundness of her arm. "And you don't like that plan ofmine?"

"I didn't say I didn't like it, " said Dinah, her eyes lowered. "But--but--I can't do it, that's all. I'm going now. Good-bye!"

She turned to go, but his fingers still held. He drew a step nearer. 

"Daphne, remember--you are not to run away!"

A transient dimple showed at the corner of Dinah's mouth. "You must letme go then, " she said. 

"And if I do--how will you reward me?" His voice was very deep; the tonesof it sent a sharp quiver through her. She felt unspeakably small andhelpless. 

She made a little gesture of appeal. "Please--please let me go! You knowyou are much stronger than I am. "

He drew nearer, his face bent so low that his lips touched her shoulderas she stood turned from him. "You don't know your strength yet, " hesaid. "But you soon will. Are you going away from me like this? Don't youthink you're rather hard on me?"

It was a point of view that had not occurred to Dinah. Her warm heart hada sudden twinge of self-reproach. She turned swiftly to him. 

"I didn't mean to be horrid. Please don't think that of me! I know Ioften am. But not to you--never to you!"

"Never?" he said. 

His face was close to her, and it wore a faint smile in which shedetected none of the arrogance of the conqueror. She put up a shy, impulsive hand and touched his cheek. 

"Of course not--Apollo!" she whispered. 

He caught the hand and kissed it. She trembled as she felt the drawing ofhis lips. 

"I--I must really go now, " she told him hastily. 

He stood up to his full height, and again she quivered as she realizedhow magnificent a man he was. 

"_A bientôt_, Daphne!" he said, and let her go. 

She slipped away from his presence with the feeling of being caught inthe meshes of a great net from which she could never hope to escape. Shehad drunk to-night yet deeper of the wine of the gods, and she knewbeyond all doubting that she would return for more. 

The memory of his kisses thrilled her all through the night. When shedreamed she was back again in his arms. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE UNKNOWN FORCE

"Arrah thin, Miss Isabel darlint, and can't ye rest at all?"

Old Biddy stooped over her charge, her parchment face a mass of wrinkles. Isabel was lying in bed, but raised upon one elbow in the attitude of oneabout to rise. She looked at the old woman with a queer, ironical smilein her tragic eyes. 

"I am going up the mountain, " she said. "It is moonlight, and I know theway. I can rest when I get to the top. "

"Ah, be aisy, darlint!" urged the old woman. "It's much more likely he'llcome to ye if ye lie quiet. "

"No, he will not come to me. " There was unalterable conviction inIsabel's voice. "It is I who must go to him. If I had waited on themountain I should never have missed him. He is waiting for me there now. "

She flung off the bedclothes and rose, a gaunt, white figure from whichall the gracious lines of womanhood had long since departed. Her silveryhair hung in two great plaits from her shoulders, wonderful hair thatshone in the shaded lamplight with a lustre that seemed luminous. 

"Will I have to fetch Master Scott to ye?" said Biddy, eyeing herwistfully. "He's very tired, poor young man. There's two nights he's hadno sleep at all. Won't ye try and rest aisy for his sake, Miss Isabeldarlint? Ye can go up the mountain in the morning, and maybe that littleMiss Bathurst will like to go with ye. Do wait till the morning now!" shewheedled, laying a wiry old hand upon her. "It's no Christian hour at allfor going about now. "

"Let me go!" said Isabel. 

Biddy's black eyes pleaded with a desperate earnestness. "If ye'd onlylisten to reason, Miss Isabel!" she said. 

"How can I listen, " Isabel answered, "when I can hear his voice in myheart calling, calling, calling! Oh, let me go, Biddy! You don'tunderstand, or you couldn't seek to hold me back from him. "

"Mavourneen!" Biddy's eyes were full of tears; the hand she had laid uponIsabel's arm trembled. "It isn't meself that's holding ye back. It's God. He'll join the two of ye together in His own good time, but ye can'thurry Him. Ye've got to bide His time. "

"I can't!" Isabel said. "I can't! You're all conspiring against me. Iknow--I know! Give me my cloak, and I will go. "

Biddy heaved a great sigh, the tears were running down her cheeks, buther face was quite resolute. "I'll have to call Master Scott after all, "she said. 

"No! No! I don't want Scott. I don't want anyone. I only want to be upthe mountain in time for the dawn. Oh, why are you all such fools? Whycan't you understand?" There was growing exasperation in Isabel's voice. 

Biddy's hand fell from her, and she turned to cross the room. 

Scott slept in the next room to them, and a portable electric bell whichthey adjusted every night communicated therewith. Biddy moved slowly topress the switch, but ere she reached it Isabel's voice stayed her. 

"Biddy, don't call Master Scott!"

Biddy paused, looking back with eyes of faithful devotion. 

"Ah, Miss Isabel darlint, will ye rest aisy then? I dursn't give ye thequieting stuff without Master Scott says so. "

"I don't want anything, " Isabel said. "I only want my liberty. Why areyou all in league against me to keep me in just one place? Ah, listen tothat noise! How wild those people are! It is the same every night--everynight. Can they really be as happy as they sound?"

A distant hubbub had arisen in the main corridor, the banging of doorsand laughter of careless voices. It was some time after one o'clock, andthe merry-markers were on their way to bed. 

"Never mind them!" said Biddy. "They're just a set of noisy children. Liedown again, Miss Isabel! They'll soon settle, and then p'raps ye'll getto sleep. It's not this way they'll be coming anyway. "

"Someone is coming this way, " said Isabel, listening with sudden closeattention. 

She was right. The quiet tread of a man's feet came down the corridorthat led to their private suite. A man's hand knocked with imperiousinsistence upon the door. 

"Sir Eustace!" said Biddy, in a dramatic whisper. "Will I tell him ye'reasleep, Miss Isabel? Quick now! Get back to bed!"

But Isabel made no movement to comply. She only drew herself togetherwith the nervous contraction of one about to face a dreaded ordeal. 

Quietly the door opened. Biddy moved forward, her face puckered withanxiety. She met Sir Eustace on the threshold. 

"Miss Isabel hasn't settled yet, Sir Eustace, " she told him, her voicecracked and tremulous. "But she'll not be wanting anybody to disturb her. Will your honour say good night and go?"

There was entreaty in the words. Her eyes besought him. Her old gnarledhands gripped each other, trembling. 

But Sir Eustace looked over her head as though she were not there. Hisgaze sought and found his sister; and a frown gathered on his clear-cut, handsome face. 

"Not in bed yet?" he said, and closing the door moved forward, passingBiddy by. 

Isabel stood and faced him, but she drew back a step as he reached her, and a hunted look crept into her wide eyes. 

"You are late, " she said. "I thought you had forgotten to say goodnight. "

He was still in evening dress. It was evident that he had only just comeupstairs. "No, I didn't forget, " he said. "And it seems I am not too latefor you. I shouldn't have disturbed you if you had been asleep. "

She smiled a quivering, piteous smile. "You knew I should not be asleep, "she said. 

He glanced towards the bed which Biddy was setting in order with tendersolicitude. "I expected to find you in bed nevertheless, " he said. "Whatmade you get up again?"

She shook her head in silence, standing before him like a child thatexpects a merited rebuke. 

He put a hand on her shoulder that was authoritative rather than kind. "Lie down again!" he said. "It is time you settled for the night. "

She threw him a quick, half-furtive look. "No--no!" she said hurriedly. "I can't sleep. I don't want to sleep. I think I will get a book andread. "

His hand pressed upon her. "Isabel!" he said quietly. "When I say a thingI mean it. "

She made a quivering gesture of appeal. "I can't go to bed, Eustace. Itis like lying on thorns. Somehow I can't close my eyes to-night. Theyfeel red-hot. "

His hold did not relax. "My dear, " he said, "you talk like a hystericalchild! Lie down at once, and don't be ridiculous!"

She wavered perceptibly before his insistence. "If I do, Scott must giveme a draught. I can't do without it--indeed--indeed!"

"You are going to do without it to-night, " Eustace said, with cooldecision. "Scott is worn out and has gone to bed. I made him promise tostay there unless he was rung for. And he will not be rung for to-night. "

Isabel made a sharp movement of dismay. "But--but--I always have thedraught sooner or later. I must have it. Eustace, I must! I can't dowithout it! I never have done without it!"

Eustace's face did not alter. It looked as if it were hewn in granite. "You are going to make a beginning to-night, " he said. "You have beenpoisoned by that stuff long enough, and I am going to put a stop to it. Now get into bed, and be reasonable! Biddy, you clear out and do thesame! You can leave the door ajar if you like. I'll call you if you arewanted. "

He pointed to the half-open door that led into the small adjoining roomin which Biddy slept. The old woman stood and stared at him withconsternation in her beady eyes. 

"Is it meself that could do such a thing?" she protested. "I never leavemy young lady till she's asleep, Sir Eustace. I'd sooner come under thecurse of the Almighty. "

He raised his brows momentarily, but he kept his hand upon his sister. Hewas steadily pressing her towards the bed. "If you don't do as you aretold, Biddy, you will be made, " he observed. "I am here to-night for adefinite purpose, and I am not going to be thwarted by you. So you hadbetter take yourself out of my way. Now, Isabel, you know me, don't you?You know it is useless to fight against me when my mind is made up. Besensible for once! It's for your own good. You can't have that draught. You have got to manage without it. "

"Oh, I can't! I can't!" moaned Isabel. She was striving to resist hishold, but her efforts were piteously weak. The force of his personalityplainly dominated her. "I shall lie awake all night--all night. "

"Very well, " he said inexorably. "You must. Sleep will come sooner orlater, and then you can make up for it. "

"Oh, but you don't understand. " Piteously she turned and clasped his armin desperate entreaty. "I shall lie awake in torture. I shall hear himcalling all night long. He is there beyond the mountains, wanting me. AndI can't get to him. It is agony--oh, it is agony--to lie and listen!"

He took her between his hands, very firmly, very quietly. "Isabel, youare talking nonsense--utter nonsense! And I refuse to listen to it. Getinto bed! Do you hear? Yes, I insist. I am capable of putting you there. If you mean to behave like a child, I shall treat you as one. Now for thelast time, get into bed. "

"Sir Eustace!" pleaded Biddy in a hoarse whisper. "Don't force her, SirEustace! Don't now! Don't!"

He paid no attention to her. His eyes were fixed upon his sister'sdeath-white face, and her eyes, strained and glassy were upturned to his. 

He said no more. Isabel's breath came in short sobbing gasps. Sheresisted him no longer. Under the steady pressure of his hands, her bodyyielded. She seemed to wilt under the compulsion of his look. Slowly, tremblingly, she crumpled in his hold, sinking downwards upon the bed. 

He bent over her, laying her back, taking the bedclothes from Biddy'sshaking hands and drawing them over her. 

Then over his shoulder briefly he addressed the old woman. "Turn out thelight, and go!"

Biddy stood and gibbered. There was that in her mistress's numbacquiescence that terrified her. "Sure, you'll kill her, Sir Eustace!"she gasped. 

He made a compelling gesture. "You had better do as I say. If I want yourhelp--or advice--I'll let you know. Do as I say! Do you hear me, Biddy?"

His voice fell suddenly and ominously to a note so deep that Biddy drewback still further affrighted and began to whimper. 

Sir Eustace turned back to his sister, lying motionless on the pillow. "Tell her to go, Isabel! I am going to stay with you myself. You don'twant her, do you?"

"No, " said Isabel. "I want Scott. "

"You can't have Scott to-night. " There was absolute decision in hisvoice. "It is essential that he should get a rest. He looked ready todrop to-night. "

"Ah! You think me selfish!" she said, catching her breath. 

He sat down by her side. "No, " he answered quietly. "But I think you havenot the least idea how much he spends himself upon you. If you had, youwould be shocked. "

She moved restlessly. "You don't understand, " she said. "You neverunderstand. Eustace, I wish you would go away. "

"I will go in half an hour, " he made calm rejoinder, "if you have notmoved during that time. "

"You know that is impossible;" she said. 

"Very well then. I shall remain. " His jaw set itself in a fashion thatbrought it into heavy prominence. 

"You will stay all night?" she questioned quickly. 

"If necessary, " he answered. 

Biddy had turned the lamp very low. The faint radiance shone upon him ashe sat imparting a certain mysterious force to his dominant outline. Helooked as immovable as an image carved in stone. 

A great shiver went through Isabel. "You want to see me suffer, " shesaid. 

"You are wrong, " he returned inflexibly. "But I would sooner see yousuffer than give yourself up to a habit which is destroying you byinches. It is no kindness on Scott's part to let you do it. "

"Don't talk of Scott!" she said quickly. "No one--no one--will ever knowwhat he is to me--how he has helped me--while you--you have only lookedon!"

Her voice quivered. She flung out a restless arm. Instantly, yet withouthaste, he took and held her hand. His fingers pressed the fevered wrist. He spoke after a moment while he quelled her instinctive effort to freeherself. "I am not merely looking on to-night. I am here to help you--ifyou will accept my help. "

"You are here to torture me!" she flung back fiercely. "You are here toforce me down into hell, and lock the gates upon me!"

His hold tightened upon her. He leaned slightly towards her. "I am hereto conquer you, " he said, "if you will not conquer yourself. "

The sudden sternness of his speech, the compulsion of his look, tookswift effect upon her. She cowered away from him. 

"You are cruel!" she whispered. "You always were cruel at heart--even inthe days when you loved me. "

Sir Eustace's lips became a single, hard line. His whole strength wasbent to the task of subduing her, and he meant it to be as brief astruggle as possible. 

He said nothing whatever therefore, and so passed his only opportunity ofwinning the conflict by any means save naked force. 

To Isabel in her torment that night was the culmination of sorrows. Foryears this brother who had once been all the world to her had held aloof, never seeking to pass the barrier which her widowed love had raisedbetween them. He had threatened many times to take the step which now atlast he had taken; but always Scott had intervened, shielding her fromthe harshness which such a step inevitably involved. And by love he hadnever sought to prevail. Her mental weakness seemed to have madetenderness from him an impossibility. He could not bear with her. It wasas though he resented in her the likeness to one beloved whom he mournedas dead. 

Possibly he had never wholly forgiven her marriage--that disastrousmarriage that had broken her life. Possibly her clouded brain was to hima source of suffering which drove him to hardness. He had ever beenimpatient of weakness, and what he deemed hysteria was wholly beyond hisendurance; and the spectacle of the one being who had been so much to himcrushed beneath a sorrow the very existence of which he resented was onewhich he had never been able to contemplate with either pity ortolerance. As he had said, he would rather see her suffering than apassive slave to that sorrow and all that it entailed. 

So during the dreadful hours that followed he held her to her inferno, convinced beyond all persuasion---with the stubborn conviction of an ironwill--that by so doing he was acting for her welfare, even in a senseworking out her salvation. 

He relied upon the force of his personality to accomplish the end he hadin view. If he could break the fatal rule of things for one night only, he believed that he would have achieved the hardest part. But the processwas long and agonizing. Only by the sternest effort of will could he keepup the pressure which he knew he must not relax for a single moment if hemeant to attain the victory he desired. 

There came a time when Isabel's powers of endurance were lost in theabyss of mental suffering into which she was flung, and she struggledlike a mad creature for freedom. He held her in his arms, feeling herstrength wane with every paroxysm, till at last she lay exhausted, onlyfeebly entreating him for the respite he would not grant. 

But even when the bitter conflict was over, when she was utterlyconquered at last, and he laid her down, too weak for further effort, hedid not gather the fruits of victory. For her eyes remained wide andglassy, dry and sleepless with the fever that throbbed ceaselessly in thepoor tortured brain behind. 

She was passive from exhaustion only, and though he closed the staringeyes, yet they opened again with tense wakefulness the moment he took hishand from the burning brow. 

The night was far advanced when Biddy, creeping softly came to hermistress's side in the belief that she slept at last. She had not daredto come before, had not dared to interfere though she had listened with awrung heart to the long and futile battle; for Sir Eustace's wrath wasvery terrible, too terrible a thing to incur with impunity. 

But the moment she looked upon Isabel's face, her courage came upon aflood of indignation that carried all before it. 

"Faith, I believe you've killed her!" she uttered in a sibilant whisperacross the bed. "Is it yourself that has no heart at all?"

He looked back to her, dominant still, though the prolonged struggle hadleft its mark upon him also. His face was pale and set. 

"This is only a phase, " he said quietly. "She will fall asleep presently. You can get her a cup of tea if you can do it without making a fuss. "

Biddy turned from the bed. That glimpse of Isabel's face had been enough. She had no further thought of consequences. She moved across the room toset about her task, and in doing so she paused momentarily and pressedthe bell that communicated with Scott's room. 

Sir Eustace did not note the action. Perhaps the long strain had weakenedhis vigilance somewhat. He sat in massive obduracy, relentlessly watchinghis sister's worn white face. 

Two minutes later the door opened, and a shadowy figure slipped into theroom. 

He looked up then, looked up sharply. "You!" he said, with curtdispleasure. 

Scott came straight to him, and leaned over his sister for a moment witha hand on his shoulder. She did not stir, or seem aware of his presence. Her eyes gazed straight upwards with a painful, immovable stare. 

Scott stood up again. His hand was still upon Eustace. He looked him inthe eyes. "You go to bed, my dear chap!" he said. "I've had my rest. "

Eustace jerked back his head with a movement of exasperation. "Youpromised to stay in your room unless you were rung for, " he said. 

Scott's brows went up for a second; then, "For the night, yes!" he said. "But the night is over. It is nearly six. I shan't sleep again. You goand get what sleep you can. "

Eustace's jaw looked stubborn. "If you will give me your word of honournot to drug her, I'll go, " he said. "Not otherwise. "

Scott's hand pressed his shoulder. "You must leave her in my care now, "he said. "I am not going to promise anything more. "

"Then I remain, " said Eustace grimly. 

A muffled sob came from Biddy. She was weeping over her tea-kettle. 

Scott took his brother by the shoulders as he sat. "Go like a goodfellow, " he urged. "You will do harm if you stay. "

But Eustace resisted him. "I am here for a definite purpose, " he said, "and I have no intention of relinquishing it. She has come through so farwithout it, I am not going to give in at this stage. "

"And you think your treatment has done her good?" said Scott, with aglance at the drawn, motionless face on the pillow. 

"Ultimate good is what I am aiming at, " his brother returned stubbornly. 

Scott's hold became a grip. He leaned suddenly down and spoke in awhisper. "If I had known you were up to this, I'm damned if I'd havestayed away!" he said tensely. 

"Stumpy!" Eustace opened his eyes in amazement. Strong language fromScott was so unusual as to be almost outside his experience. 

"I mean it!" Scott's words vibrated. "You've done a hellish thing! Clearout now, and leave me to help her in my own way! Before God, I believeshe'll die if you don't! Do you want her to die?"

The question fell with a force that was passionate. There was violence inthe grip of his hands. His light eyes were ablaze. His whole meagre bodyquivered as though galvanized by some vital, electric current more potentthan it could bear. 

And very curiously Sir Eustace was moved by the unknown force. It struckhim unawares. Stumpy in this mood was a complete stranger to him, a beingpossessed by gods or devils, he knew not which; but in any case a beingthat compelled respect. 

He got up and stood looking down at him speculatively, too astonished tobe angry. 

Scott faced him with clenched hands. He was white as death. "Go!" hereiterated. "Go! There's no room for you in here. Get out!"

His lips twisted over the words, and for an instant his teeth showed witha savage gleam. He was trembling from head to foot. 

It was no moment for controversy. Sir Eustace recognized the fact just assurely as he realized that his brother had completely parted with hisself-control. He had the look of a furious animal prepared to spring athis throat. 

Greek had met Greek indeed, but upon ground that was wholly unsuitablefor a tug of war. With a shrug he yielded. 

"I don't know you, Stumpy, " he said briefly. "You've got beyond yourself. I advise you to pull up before we meet again. I also advise you to bearin mind that to administer that draught is to undo all that I have spentthe whole night to accomplish. "

Scott stood back for him to pass, but the quivering fury of the manseemed to emanate from him like the scorching draught from a blastfurnace. As Eustace said, he had got beyond himself, --so far beyond thathe was scarcely recognizable. 

"Your advice be damned!" he flung back under his breath with aconcentrated bitterness that was terrible. "I shall follow my ownjudgment. "

Sir Eustace's mouth curled superciliously. He was angry too, though by nomeans so angry as Scott. "Better look where you go all the same, " heobserved, and passed him by, not without dignity and a secret sense ofrelief. 

The long and fruitless vigil of the night had taught him one thing atleast. Rome was not built in a day. He would not attempt the feat asecond time, though neither would he rest till he had gained his end. 

As for Scott, he would have a reckoning with him presently--a strictlyprivate reckoning which should demonstrate once and for all who wasmaster. 

CHAPTER XVIII

THE ESCAPE OF THE PRISONER

Dinah spent her Sunday afternoon seated in a far corner of the verandah, inditing a very laboured epistle to her mother--a very different affairfrom the gay little missives she scribbled to her father every other day. 

The letter to her mother was a duty which must of necessity beaccomplished, and perhaps in consequence she found it peculiarlydistasteful. She never knew what to say, being uncomfortably aware that adetailed account of her doings would only give rise to drastic comment. The glories of the mountains were wholly beyond her powers of descriptionwhen she knew that any extravagance of language would be at once termedhigh-flown and ridiculous. The sleigh-drive of the day before wasdisposed of in one sentence, and the dance of the evening could not bementioned at all. The memory of it was like a flame in her innerconsciousness. Her cheeks still burned at the thought, and her heartleapt with a wild longing. When would he kiss her again, she wondered?Ah, when, when?

There was another thought at the back of her wonder which she felt to bepresumptuous, but which nevertheless could not be kept completely inabeyance. He had said that there would be no consequences; but--had hereally meant it? Was it possible ever to awake wholly from so perfect adream? Was it not rather the great reality of things to which she hadsuddenly come, and all her past life a mere background of shadows? Howcould she ever go back into that dimness now that she felt the gloriousrays of this new radiance upon her? And he also--was it possible that hecould ever forget? Surely it had ceased to be just a game to either ofthem! Surely, surely, the wonder and the rapture had caught him also intothe magic web--the golden maze of Romance!

She leaned her head on her hand and gave herself up to the greatenchantment, feeling again his kisses upon lips and eyes and brow, andthe thrilling irresistibility of his hold. Ah, this was life indeed! Ah, this was life!

A soft footfall near her made her look up sharply, and she saw Rose deVigne approaching. Rose was looking even more beautiful than usual, yetfor the first time Dinah contemplated her without any under-current ofenvy. She moved slightly to make room for her. 

"I haven't come to stay, " Rose announced with her quiet, well-satisfiedsmile, as she drew near. "I have promised to sing at to-night's concertand the padre wants to look through my songs. Well, Dinah, my dear, howare you getting on? Is that a letter to your mother?"

Dinah suppressed a sigh. "Yes. I've only just begun it. I don't know inthe least what to say. "

Rose lifted her pretty brows. "What about your new friend Sir EustaceStudley's sister? Wouldn't she be interested to hear of her? Poor soul, it's lamentably sad to think that she should be mentally deranged. Someunfortunate strain in the family, I should say, to judge by the youngerbrother's appearance also. "

Dinah's green eyes gleamed a little. "I don't see anything very unusualabout him, " she remarked. "There are plenty of little men in the world. "

"And crippled?" smiled Rose. 

"I shouldn't call him a cripple, " rejoined Dinah quickly. "He is quiteactive. "

"Many cripples are, dear, " Rose pointed out. "He has learnt to get thebetter of his infirmity, but nothing can alter the fact that theinfirmity exists. I call him a most peculiar little person to look at. Ofcourse I don't deny that he may be very nice in other ways. "

Dinah bit her lip and was silent. To hear Scott described as nice was toher mind less endurable than to hear him called peculiar. But somehow shecould not bring herself to discuss him, so she choked down herindignation and said nothing. 

Rose seated herself beside her. "I call Sir Eustace a very interestingman, " she observed. "He fully makes up for the deficiencies of hisbrother and sister. He seems to be very kind-hearted too. Didn't I seehim helping you with your skating the other night?"

Dinah's eyes shone again with a quick and ominous light. "He helped youwith your ski-ing too, didn't he?" she said. 

"He did, dear. I had a most enjoyable afternoon. " Rose smiled again asover some private reminiscence. "He told me he thought you were comingon, in fact he seems to think that you have the makings of quite a goodskater. It's a pity your opportunities are so limited, dear. " Rose pausedto utter a soft laugh. 

"I don't see anything funny in that, " remarked Dinah. 

"No, no! Of course not. I was only smiling at the way in which hereferred to you. 'That little brown cousin of yours' he said, 'makes methink of a water-vole, there one minute and gone the next. ' He seemed tothink you a rather amusing child, as of course you are. " Rose put up adelicate hand and playfully caressed the glowing cheek nearest to her. "Itold him you were not any relation, but just a dear little friend of minewho had never seen anything of the world before. And he laughed and said, 'That is why she looks like a chocolate baby out of an Easter egg. '"

"Anything else?" said Dinah, repressing an urgent desire to shiver at thekindly touch. 

"No, I don't think so. We had more important matters to think of and talkabout. He is a man who has travelled a good deal, and we found that wehad quite a lot in common, having visited the same places and regardedmany things from practically the same point of view. He took the troubleto be very entertaining, " said Rose, with a pretty blush. "And histrouble was not misspent. I am convinced that he enjoyed the afternooneven more than I did. We also enjoyed the evening, " she added. "He is anexcellent dancer. We suited each other perfectly. "

"Did you find him good at sitting out?" asked Dinah unexpectedly. 

Rose looked at her enquiringly, but her eyes were fixed upon the distantmist-capped mountains. There was nothing in her aspect to indicate whathad prompted the question. 

"What a funny thing to ask!" she said, with her soft laugh. "No; weenjoyed dancing much too much to waste any time sitting out. He gave youone dance, I believe?"

"No, " Dinah said briefly. "I gave him one. "

She turned from her contemplation of the mountains. An odd little smilevery different from Rose's smile of complacency hovered at the corners ofher mouth. She gave Rose a swift and comprehensive glance, then slippedher pen into her writing-case and closed it. 

"I am afraid I have interrupted you, " said Rose. 

"Oh no, it doesn't matter. " Dinah's dimple showed for a second and wasgone. "I can't write any more now. There's something about this air thatmakes me feel now and then that I must get up and jump. Does it affectyou that way?"

"You funny little thing!" said Rose. "Why, no!"

Dinah's chin pointed upwards. She looked for the moment almostaggressively happy. But the next her look went beyond Rose, and shestarted. Her expression altered, became suddenly tender and anxious. 

"There is Mrs. Everard!" she said softly. 

Rose looked round. "Ah! Captain Brent's Purple Empress!" she said. "Howhaggard the poor soul looks!"

As if drawn magnetically, Dinah moved along the verandah. 

Isabel was dressed in the long purple coat she had worn the previous day. She had a cap of black fur on her head. She stood as if irresolute, glancing up and down as though she searched for someone. There was an oddfurtiveness in her bearing that struck Dinah on the instant. It alsooccurred to her as strange that though the restless eyes must have seenher they did not seem to take her in. 

The fact deterred her for a second, but only for a second. Then swiftlyshe went forward and joined her. 

"Are you looking for someone, dear Mrs. Everard?"

Isabel's eyes glanced at her, and instantly looked beyond. "I am lookingfor my husband, " she said, her voice quick and low. "He does not seem tobe here. You have not seen him, I suppose? He is tall and fair with aboyish smile, and eyes that look straight at you. He laughs a good deal. He is always laughing. You couldn't fail to notice him. He is one whomthe gods love. "

Again her eyes roamed over Dinah, and again they passed her to scan themist-wreathed mountains. 

Dinah slipped a loving hand through her arm. "He is not here, dear, " shesaid. "Come and sit down for a little! The sun won't be gone yet. We canwatch it go. "

She tried to draw her gently along the verandah, but Isabel resisted. "No--no! I am not going that way. I have to go up the mountains to meethim. Don't keep me! Don't keep me!"

Dinah threw an anxious look around. There was no one near them. Rose hadmoved away to join a group just returned from the rink. The laughter andgay voices rose on the still air in merry chorus. No one knew or cared ofthe living tragedy so near. 

Pleadingly she turned to Isabel. "Darling Mrs. Everard, need you go now?Wait till the morning! It is so late now. It will soon be dark. "

Isabel made a sharp gesture of impatience. "Be quiet, child! You don'tunderstand. Of course I must go now. I have escaped from them, and if Iwait I shall be taken again. It would kill me to be kept back now. I mustmeet him in the dawn on the mountain-top. What was it you called it? Thepeaks of Paradise! That is where I shall find him. But I must start atonce--at once. "

She threw another furtive look around, and stepped forth. Dinah's handclosed upon her arm. "If you go, I am coming too, " she said, with quickresolution. "But won't you wait a moment--just a moment--while I runand get some gloves?"

Isabel made a swift effort to disengage herself. "No, child, no! I can'twait. If you met Eustace, he would make you tell him where you weregoing, and then he would follow and bring me back. No, I must go now--atonce. Yes, you may come too if you like. But you mustn't keep me back. Imust go quickly--quickly--before they find out. Everything depends onthat. "

There was no delaying her. Dinah cast another look towards the chatteringgroup, and gave up hope. She dared not leave her, for she had no idea ofthe whereabouts of either of the brothers. And there was no time to makea search. The only course open to her was to accompany her friendwhithersoever the fruitless quest should lead. She was convinced thatIsabel's physical powers of endurance were slight, and that when theywere exhausted she would be able to bring her back unresisting. 

Nevertheless, she was conscious of a little tremor at the heart as theyset forth. There was an air of desperation about her companion that itwas impossible to overlook. Isabel's manner towards her was so whollydevoid of that caressing element that had always marked their intimacytill that moment. Without being actually frightened, she was very uneasy. It was evident that Isabel was beyond all persuasion that day. 

The sun was beginning to sink towards the western peaks as they turned upthe white track, casting long shadows across the snow. The pine-woodthrough which the road wound was mysteriously dark. The rush of thestream in the hollow had an eerie sound. It seemed to Dinah that theground they trod was bewitched. She almost expected to catch sight ofgoblin-faces peering from behind the dark trunks. Now and then muffled inthe snow, she thought she heard the scamper of tiny feet. 

Isabel went up the steep track with a wonderful elasticity, lookingneither to right nor left. Her eyes were fixed perpetually forwards, withthe look in them of one who strains towards a goal. Her lips were parted, and the eagerness of her face went to Dinah's heart. 

They came out above the pine-wood. They reached and passed the spot whereshe and Scott had turned back on their first walk together. The snowcrunched crisply underfoot. The ascent was becoming more and more acute. 

Dinah was panting. Light as she was, with all the activity of youth inher veins, she found it hard to keep up, for Isabel was pressing, pressing hard. She went as one in whom the fear of pursuit was everpresent, paying no heed to her companion, seeming indeed to have almostforgotten her presence. 

On and on, up and up, they went on their rapid pilgrimage. The winding ofthe road had taken them out of sight of the hotel, and the whole worldseemed deserted. The sun-rays slanted ever more and more obliquely. Thevalley behind them had fallen into shadow. 

Before them and very far above them towered the great pinnacles, clothedin the everlasting snows, beginning to turn golden above their floatingwreaths of mist. Even where they were, trails like the ragged edges of acloud drifted by them, and the coldness of the air held a clammy quality. The sparkling dryness of the atmosphere seemed to be dissolving intothese thin, veil-like vapours. The cold was more penetrating than Dinahhad ever before experienced. 

Now and then an icy draught came swirling down upon them, making hershiver, though it was evident that Isabel was unaware of it. The harderthe way became, the more set upon her purpose did she seem to be. Dinahmarvelled at her strength and unvarying determination. There was about itan element of the wild, not far removed from ferocity. Her uneasiness wasgrowing with every step, and something that was akin to fear began toknock at her heart. The higher they mounted, the more those trails ofmist increased. Very soon now the sun would be gone. Already it hadceased to warm that world of snow. And what would happen then? What ifthe dusk came upon them while still they pressed on up that endless, difficult track?

Timidly she clasped Isabel's arm at last. "It will be getting dark soon, "she said. "Shouldn't we be going back?"

For a moment Isabel's eyes swept round upon her, and she marvelled attheir intense and fiery brilliance. But instantly they sought themountain-tops again, all rose-lit in the opal glow of sunset. 

"You can go back, child, " she said. "I must go on. "

"But it is getting so late, " pleaded Dinah. "And look at the mist! If wekeep on much longer, we may be lost. "

Isabel quickened her pace. "I am not afraid, " she said, and her voicethrilled with a deep rapture. "He is waiting for me, there where themountains meet the sky. I shall find him in the dawn. I know that I shallfind him. "

"But, dear Mrs. Everard, we can't go on after dark, " urged Dinah. "Weshould be frozen long before morning. It is terribly cold already. Andpoor Biddy will be so anxious about you. "

"Oh no!" Isabel spoke with supreme confidence. "Biddy will know where Ihave gone. She was asleep when I left, poor old soul. She had had a badnight. " A sudden sharp shudder caught her. "All night I was strugglingagainst the bars of my cage. It was only when Biddy fell asleep that Ifound the door was open. But you can go back, child, " she added. "You hadbetter go back. Eustace won't want to follow me if he has you. "

But Dinah's hold instantly grew close and resolute. "I shall not leaveyou, " she said, with decision. 

Isabel made no further attempt to persuade her. She seemed to regard itas a matter of trifling importance. Her one aim was to reach thoseglowing peaks that glittered far above the floating mists like theglories half-revealed of another world. 

It was nothing to her that the road by which they had come should beblotted out. She had no thought for that, no desire or intention toreturn. If an earthquake had rent away the ground behind them, she wouldnot have been dismayed. It was only the forward path, leading everupwards to the desired country, that held her mind, and the memory of avoice that called far above the mountain height. 

The sun sank, the glory faded. The dark and the cold wrapped them round. But still was she undaunted. "When the dawn comes, we shall be there, "she said. 

And Dinah heard her with a sinking heart. She had no thought of leavingher, but she knew and faced the fact that in going on, she carried herlife in her hand. Yet she kept herself from despair. Surely by now thebrothers would have found out, and they would follow! Surely they wouldfollow! And Eustace--Eustace would thank her for what she had done. 

She strained her ears for their coming; but she heard nothing--nothingbut their own muffled footsteps on the snow. And ever the darknessdeepened, and the mist crept closer around them. 

She gathered all her courage to face the falling night. She was sure shehad done right to come and so she hoped God would take care of them. 

CHAPTER XIX

THE CUP OF BITTERNESS

It was growing late on that same evening that Scott came through thehotel vestibule after a rehearsal of the concert which was to take placethat evening and at which he had undertaken to play the accompaniments. He glanced about him as he came as though in search of someone, andfinally passed on to the smoking-room. His eye were heavy and his faceworn, but there was an air of resolution about him that gave purpose tohis movements. 

In the smoking-room several men were congregated, and in a corner of itsat Sir Eustace, writing a letter. Scott came straight to him, and bentover him a hand on the back of his chair. 

"Can I have a word with you?" he asked in a low voice. 

Sir Eustace did not look round or cease to write. "Presently, " he said. 

Scott drew back and sat down near him. He did not smoke or take up apaper. His attitude was one of quiet vigilance. 

Minutes passed. Sir Eustace continued his task exactly as if he were notthere. Now and then he paused to flick the ash from his cigarette, but hedid not turn his head. The dressing-gong boomed through the hotel, but hepaid no attention to it. One after another the men in the room got up andsauntered away, but Scott remained motionless, awaiting his brother'spleasure. 

Sir Eustace finished his letter, and pulled another sheet of papertowards him. Scott made no sign of impatience. 

Sir Eustace began to write again, paused, wrote a few more words, thensuddenly turned in his chair. They were alone. 

"Oh, what the devil is it?" he said irritably. "I haven't any time towaste over you. What do you want?"

Scott stood up. "It's all right, old chap, " he said gently. "I'm going. Ionly came in to tell you I was sorry for all the beastly things I said toyou last night--this morning, rather. I lost my temper which was fairlylow of me, considering you had been up all night and I hadn't. "

He paused. Eustace was looking up at him from under frowning brows, hisblue eyes piercing and merciless. 

"It's all very fine, Stumpy, " he said, after a moment. "Some people thinkthat an apology more than atones for the offence. I don't. "

"Neither do I, " said Scott quietly. "But it's better than nothing, isn'tit?" His eyes met his brother's very steadily and openly. His attitudewas unflinching. 

"It depends, " Eustace rejoined curtly. "It is if you mean it. If youdon't, it's not worth--that, " with a snap of the fingers. 

"I do mean it, " said Scott, flushing. 

"You do?" Eustace looked at him still more searchingly. 

"I always mean what I say, " Scott returned with deliberation. 

"And you meant what you said this morning?" Eustace pounced without mercyupon the weak spot. 

But the armour was proof. Scott remained steadfast. "I meant it--yes. ButI might have put it in a different form. I lost my temper. I am sorry. "

Eustace continued to regard him with a straight, unsparing scrutiny. "Andyou consider that to be the sort of apology I can accept?" he asked, after a moment. 

"I think you might accept it, old chap, " Scott made pacific rejoinder. 

Eustace turned back to the table, and began to put his papers together. "I might do many things, " he observed, "which, not being a weak-kneedfool, I don't. If you really wish to make your peace with me, you hadbetter do your best to make amends--to pull with me and not against me. For I warn you, Stumpy, you went too far last night. And it is not thefirst time. "

He paused, as if he expected a disclaimer. 

Scott waited a second or two; then with a very winning movement he bentand laid his arm across his brother's shoulders. "Try and bear with me, dear chap!" he said. 

His voice was not wholly steady. There was entreaty in his action. 

Eustace made a sharp gesture of surprise, but he did not repel him. Therefell a brief silence between them; then Scott's hand came gently down andclosed upon his brother's. 

"Life isn't so confoundedly easy at the best of times, " he said, speakingalmost under his breath. "I'm generally philosopher enough to take it asit comes. But just lately--" he broke off. "Let it be _pax, _ Eustace!" heurged in a whisper. 

Eustace's hand remained for a moment or two stiffly unresponsive; thenvery suddenly it closed and held. 

"What's the matter with you?" he said gruffly. 

"Oh, I'm a fool, that's all, " Scott answered, and uttered a shaky laugh. "Never mind! Forget it like a dear fellow! God knows I don't want to pullagainst you; but, old chap, we must go slow. "

It was the conclusion that events had forced upon Eustace himself duringthe night, but he chafed against acknowledging it. "There's no sense indrifting on in the same old hopeless way for ever, " he said. "We have gotto make a stand; and it's now or never. "

"I know. But we must have patience a bit longer. There is a changecoming. I am certain of it. But--last night has thrown her back. " Scottspoke with melancholy conviction. 

"You gave her the draught?" Eustace asked sharply. 

"I gave her a sedative only; but it took no effect. In the middle of themorning she was still in the same unsatisfactory state, and I gave her asecond sedative. After that she fell asleep, but it was not a very easysleep for a long time. This afternoon I saw Biddy for a moment, and shetold me she seemed much more comfortable. The poor old thing looked tiredout, and I told her to get a rest herself. She said she would lie down inthe room. If it hadn't been for this concert business, I would haverelieved her. But they couldn't muster anyone to take my place. I am justgoing up now to see how she is getting on. "

Scott straightened himself slowly, with a movement that was unconsciouslyvery weary. Eustace gave him a keen glance. 

"You're wearing yourself out over her, Stumpy, " he said. 

"Oh, rot!" Scott smiled upon him, a light that was boyishly affectionatein his eyes. "I'm much tougher than I look. Thanks for being decent tome, old chap! I don't deserve it. If there are any more letters to bewritten, bring them along, and I'll attend to them to-night after theconcert. "

"No. Not this lot. I shall attend to them myself. " Eustace got up, andpassed a hand through his arm. "You are working too hard and sleeping toolittle. I'm going to take you in hand and put a stop to it. "

Scott laughed. "No, no! Thanks all the same, I'm better left alone. Areyou coming to the show to-night? The beautiful Miss de Vigne is going tosing. "

Eustace looked supercilious. "Is there anything that young lady can't do, I wonder? Her accomplishments are legion. She told me yesterday that shecould play the guitar. She can also recite, play bridge, and take cricketscores. She is a scratch golf-player, plays a good game of tennis, ridesto hounds, and visits the poor. And that is by no means a complete list. I don't wonder that she gives the little brown girl indigestion. Herperfection is almost nauseating at times. "

Scott laughed again. It was a relief to have diverted his brother'sattention from more personal subjects. "She ought to suit you ratherwell, " he observed. "You are something of the perfect knight yourself. Iheard a lady exclaim only yesterday when you started off together on thatski-ing expedition, 'What a positively divine couple! Apollo andAphrodite!' I think it was the parson's wife. You couldn't expect her toknow much about heathen theology. "

"Don't make me sick if you don't mind!" said Sir Eustace. "Look here, myfriend! We shall be late if we don't go. You can't spend long withIsabel, if you are to turn up in time for this precious concert. Hullo!What's the matter?"

The door of the smoking-room had burst suddenly open, and Colonel deVigne, very red in the face and as agitated as his pomposity would allow, stood glaring at them. 

"So you are here!" he exclaimed, his tone an odd blend of relief andanxiety. 

"Do you mean me?" said Sir Eustace, with a touch of haughtiness. 

"Yes, sir, you! I was looking for you, " explained the Colonel, pullinghimself together. "I thought perhaps you might be able to give me someidea as to the whereabouts of my young charge, Miss Bathurst. She ismissing. "

Sir Eustace raised his black brows. "What should I know about herwhereabouts?" he said. 

Scott broke in quickly. "I saw her in the verandah this afternoon withyour daughter. "

"I know. She was there. " The Colonel spoke with brevity. "Rose left herthere talking to your sister. No one seems to have seen her since. Ithought she might have been with Sir Eustace. I see I was mistaken. Iapologize. But where the devil can she be?"

Sir Eustace raised his shoulders. "She was certainly not talking to mysister, " he remarked. "She has kept her room to-day. Miss Bathurst isprobably in her own room dressing for dinner. "

"That's just where she isn't!" exploded the Colonel. "I missed her attea-time but thought she must be out. Now her brother tells me that hehas been all over the place and can't find her. I suppose she can't beupstairs with your sister?" He turned to Scott. 

"I'll go and see, " Scott said. "She may be--though I doubt it. My sisterwas not so well, and so stayed in bed to-day. "

He moved towards the stairs with the words; but ere he reached them therecame the sound of a sudden commotion on the corridor above, and a wailingvoice made itself heard. 

"Miss Isabel! Miss Isabel! Wherever are you, mavourneen? Ah, what'll I doat all? Miss Isabel's gone!"

Old Biddy in her huge white apron and mob cap appeared at the top of thestaircase and came hobbling down with skinny hands extended. 

"Ah, Master Scott--Master Scott--may the saints help us! She's gone!She's gone! And meself sleeping like a hog the whole afternoon through!I'll never forgive meself, Master Scott, --never, never! Oh, what'll I do?I pray the Almighty will take my life before any harm comes to her!"

She reached Scott at the foot of the stairs and caught his handhysterically between her own. 

Sir Eustace strode forward, white to the lips. "Stop your clatter, woman, and answer me! How did Miss Isabel get away? Is she dressed?"

The old woman cowered back from the blazing wrath in his eyes. "Yes, yourhonour! No, your honour! I mean--Yes, your honour!" she stammered, stillclinging pathetically to Scott. "I was asleep, ye see. I never knew--Inever knew!"

"How long did you sleep?" demanded Sir Eustace. 

"And how am I to tell at all?" wailed Biddy. "It didn't seem like fiveminutes, and I opened me eyes, and she was all quiet in the dark. AndI said to meself, 'I won't disturb the dear lamb, ' and I crept into meroom and tidied meself, and made a cup o' tay. And still she kept soquiet; so I drank me tay and did a bit of work. And then--just a minuteago it was--I crept in and went to her thinking it was time she wokeup, --and--and--and she wasn't there, your honour. The bed was laid up, and she was gone! Oh, what'll I do at all? What'll I do?" She burst intowild sobs, and hid her face in her apron. 

Two or three people were standing about in the vestibule. They looked atthe agitated group with interest, and in a moment a young man who hadjust entered came up to Scott. 

"I believe I saw your sister in the verandah this afternoon, " he said. 

"That's just what Rose said, " broke in the Colonel. "And you wouldn'tbelieve me. She came out, and Dinah went to speak to her. And now the twoof them are missing. It's obvious. They must have gone off togethersomewhere. "

"Not up the mountain. I hope, " the young man said. 

"That is probably where they have gone, " Scott said, speaking for thefirst time. He was patting Biddy's shoulder with compassionate kindness. "Why do you say that?"

"It's just begun to snow, " the other answered. "And the mist up themountain path is thick. "

"Damnation!" exclaimed Sir Eustace furiously. "And she may have been gonefor hours!"

"Miss Bathurst was with her, " said Scott. "She would keep her head. I amcertain of that. " He turned to the Colonel who stood fuming by. "Hadn'twe better organize a search-party sir? I am afraid that there is not muchdoubt that they have gone up the mountain. My sister, you know--" heflushed a little--"my sister is not altogether responsible for heractions. She would not realize the danger. "

"But surely Dinah wouldn't be such a little fool as to go too!" burstforth the Colonel. "She's sane enough, when she isn't larking about withother fools. " He glared at Sir Eustace. "And how the devil are we to knowwhere to look, I'd like to know? We can't hunt all over the Alps. "

"There may be some dogs in the village, " Scott said. "There is certainlya guide. I will go down at once and see what I can find. "

"No, no, Stumpy! Not you!" Sharply Sir Eustace intervened. "I won't haveyou go. It's not your job, and you are not fit for it. " He laid aperemptory hand upon his brother's shoulder. "That's understood, is it?You will not leave the hotel. "

He spoke with stern insistence, looking Scott straight in the eyes; andafter a moment or two Scott yielded the point. 

"All right, old chap! I'm not much good, I know. But for heaven's sake, lose no time. "

"No time will be lost. " Sir Eustace turned round upon the Colonel. "Wecan't have any but young men on this job, " he said. "See if you canmuster two or three to go with me, will you? A doctor if possible! And weshall want blankets and restoratives and lanterns. Stumpy, you can see tothat. Yes, and send for a guide too though he won't be much help in athick mist. And take that wailing woman away! Have everything ready forus when we come back! They can't have gone very far. Isabel hasn't thestrength. I shall be ready immediately. "

He turned to the stairs and went up them in great leaps, leaving thelittle group below to carry out his orders. 

There was a momentary inaction after his departure, then Scott limpedacross to the door and opened it. Thick darkness met him, the clammydarkness of fog, and the faint, faint rustle of falling snow. 

He closed the door and turned back, meeting the Colonel's eyes, "It'shard to stay behind, sir, " he said. 

The Colonel nodded. He liked Scott. "Yes, infernally hard. But we'll doall we can. Will you find the doctor and get the necessaries together?I'll see to the rest. "

"Very good, sir; I will. " Scott went to the old woman who still sobbedpiteously into her apron. "Come along, Biddy! There's plenty to be done. Miss Isabel's room must be quite ready for her when she comes back, andMiss Bathurst's too. We shall want boiling water--lots of it. That's yourjob. Come along!"

He urged her gently to the stairs, and went up with her, holding her arm. 

At the top she stopped and gave him an anguished look. "Ah, Master Scottdarlint, will the Almighty be merciful? Will He bring her safe backagain?"

He drew her gently on. "That's another thing you can do, Biddy, " he said. "Ask Him!"

And before his look Biddy commanded herself and grew calmer. "Faith, Master Scott, " she said, "if it isn't yourself that's taught me thegreatest lesson of all!"

A very compassionate smile shone in Scott's eyes as he passed on and lefther. "Poor old Biddy, " he murmured, as he went. "It's easy to preach tosuch as you. But, O God, there's no denying it's bitter work for thosewho stay behind!"

He knew that he and Biddy were destined to drink that cup of bitternessto the dregs ere the night passed. 

CHAPTER XX

THE VISION OF GREATHEART

The darkness of the night lay like a black pall upon the mountain. Thesnow was falling thickly, and ever more thickly. It drifted in uponDinah, as she crouched in the shelter of an empty shed that had beenplaced on that high slope for the protection of sheep from the springstorms. They had come upon this shelter just as the gloom had become toogreat for even Isabel to regard further progress as possible, and inresponse to the girl's insistence they had crept in to rest. They hadlost the beaten track long since; neither of them had realized when. Butthe certainty that they had done so had had its effect upon Isabel. Herenergies had flagged from the moment that it had dawned upon her. Adeadly tiredness had come over her, a feebleness so complete that Dinahhad had difficulty in getting her into the shelter. Return was utterlyout of the question. They were hopelessly lost, and to wander in thatdensely falling snow was to court disaster. 

Very thankful Dinah had been to find even so poor a refuge in that wasteof drifting fog; but now as she huddled by Isabel's side it seemed to herthat the relief afforded was but a prolonging of their agony. The coldwas intense. It seemed to penetrate to her very bones, and she knew byher companion's low moaning that she was suffering keenly also. 

Isabel seemed to have sunk into a state of semi-consciousness, and onlynow and then did broken words escape her--words scarcely audible toDinah, but which testified none the less to the bitterness of despairthat had come upon her. 

She sat in a corner of the desolate place with Dinah pressed close toher, while the snow drifted in through the door-less entrance andsprinkled them both. But it was the darkness rather than the cold or thesnow that affected the girl as she crouched there with her arms about hercompanion, striving to warm and shelter her while she herself felt frozento the very heart. It was so terrible, so monstrous, so nerve-shattering. And the silence that went with it was like a nightmare horror to hershrinking soul. For all Dinah's sensibilities were painfully on thealert. No merciful dulness of perception came to her. Responsibility hadawakened in her a nervous energy that made her realize the awfulness oftheir position with appalling vividness. That they could possibly survivethe night she did not believe. And Death--Death in that fearfuldarkness--was a terror from which she shrank almost in panic. 

That she retained command of her quivering nerves was due solely to thefact of Isabel's helplessness--Isabel's dependence upon her. She knewthat while she had any strength left, she must not give way. She must bebrave. Their sole chance of rescue hung upon that. 

Like Scott, she thought of the guide, though the hope was a forlorn one. He might know of this shelter; but whether in the awful darkness he wouldever be able to find it she strongly doubted. Their absence must havebeen discovered long since, she was sure; and Scott--Scott would becertain to think of the mountain path. He would remember his sister'swild words of the day before, and he would know that she, Dinah, had hadno choice but to accompany her upon the mad quest. It comforted her tothink that Scott would understand, and was already at work to help them. If by any means deliverance could be brought to them she knew that Scottwould compass it. His quiet and capable spirit was accustomed to grapplewith difficulties, and the enormity of a task would never dismay him. Hehad probably organized a search-party long ere this. He would not restuntil he had done his very utmost. She wondered if he would come himselfto look for them; but discarded the idea as unlikely. His infirmity madeprogress on the mountains a difficult matter at all times, and he wouldnot wish to hamper the movements of the others. That was like Scott, shereflected. He would always keep his own desires in the background, subservient to the needs of others. No, he would not come himself. Hewould stay behind in torturing inaction while fitter men fared forth. 

The thought of Eustace came again to her. He would be one of thesearch-party. She pictured him forcing his way upwards, all hismagnificent strength bent to the work. Her heart throbbed at the memoryof that all-conquering presence--the arms that had held her, the lipsthat had pressed her own. And he had stooped to plead with her also. Shewould always remember that of him with a thrill of ecstasy. He theprincely and splendid--Apollo the magnificent!

Always? A sudden chill smote her heart numbing her through and through. Always? And Death waiting on the threshold to snatch her away from thewonderful joy she had only just begun to know! Always! Ah, would sheremember even to-morrow--even to-morrow? And he--would he not forget?

Isabel stirred in her arms and murmured an inarticulate complaint. Tenderly she drew her closer. How cold it was! How cruelly, how bitinglycold! All her bones were beginning to ache. A dreadful stiffness wascreeping over her. How long would her senses hold out, she wonderedpiteously? How long? How long?

It must be hours now since they had entered that freezing place, and withevery minute it seemed to be growing colder. Never in her life had sheimagined anything so searching, so agonizing, as this cold. It held herin an iron rigour against which she was powerless to struggle. Thestrength to clasp Isabel in her arms was leaving her. She thought thather numbed limbs were gradually turning to stone. Even her lips were sonumbed with cold that she could not move them. The steam of her breathhad turned to ice upon the wool of her coat. 

The need for prayer came upon her suddenly as she realized that herfaculties were failing. Her belief in God was of that dim and far-offdescription that brings awe rather than comfort to the soul. The suddenthought of Him came upon her in the darkness like a thunderbolt. In allher life Dinah had never asked for anything outside her daily prayerswhich were of a strictly formal description. She had shouldered her owntroubles unassisted with the philosophy of a disposition that wasessentially happy. She had seldom given a serious thought to the life ofthe spirit. It was all so vague to her, so far removed from the dailyround and the daily burden. But now--face to face with the comingnight--the spiritual awoke in her. Her soul cried out for comfort. 

With Isabel still clasped in her failing arms, she began a desperateprayer for help. Her words came haltingly. They sounded strange toherself. But with all the strength that remained she sent forth her cryto the Infinite. And even as she prayed there came to her--whence sheknew not--the conviction that somewhere--probably not more than a coupleof miles from her though the darkness made the distance seemimmeasurable--Scott was praying too. That thought had a wonderfullycomforting effect upon her. His prayer was so much more likely to beanswered than hers. He was just the sort of man who would know how topray. 

"How I wish he were here!" she whispered piteously into the darkness. "Ishouldn't be afraid of dying--if only he were here. "

She was certain--quite certain--that had he been there with her, no fearwould have reached her. He wore the armour of a strong man, and by it hewould have shielded her also. 

"Oh, dear Mr. Greatheart, " she murmured through her numb lips, "I'm sureyou know the way to Heaven. "

Isabel stirred again as one who moves in restless slumber. "We must scalethe peaks of Paradise to reach it, " she said. 

"Are you awake, dearest?" asked Dinah very tenderly. 

Isabel's head was sunk against her shoulder. She moved it, slightlyraised it. "Yes, I am awake, " she said. "I am watching for the dawn. "

"It won't come yet, " whispered Dinah tremulously. "It's a long, long wayoff. "

Isabel moved a little more, feeling for Dinah in the darkness. "Are youfrightened, little one?" she said. "Don't be frightened!"

Dinah swallowed down a sob. "It is so dark, " she murmured throughchattering teeth. "And so, so cold. "

"You are cold, dear heart?" Isabel sat up suddenly. "Why should you becold?" she said. "The darkness is nothing to those who are used to it. Ihave lived in outer darkness for seven weary years. But now--now I thinkthe day is drawing near at last. "

With an energy that astounded Dinah she got upon her knees and by hermovements she realized, albeit too late, that she was divesting herselfof the long purple coat. 

With all her strength she sought to frustrate her, but her strength hadbecome very feebleness; and when, despite resistance, Isabel wrapped herround in the garment she had discarded, her resistance was too puny totake effect. 

"My dear, " Isabel said, in her voice the deep music of maternaltenderness, "I am not needing it. I shall not need any earthly things forlong. I am going to meet my husband in the dawning. But you--you will goback. "

She fastened the coat with a quiet dexterity that made Dinah think againof Scott, and sat down again in her corner as if unconscious of the cold. 

"Come and lie in my arms, little one!" she said. "Perhaps you will beable to sleep. "

Dinah crept close. "It will kill you--it will kill you!" she sobbed. "Oh, why did I let you?"

Isabel's arms closed about her. "Don't cry, dear!" she murmured fondly. "It is nothing to me. A little sooner--a little later! If you hadsuffered what I have suffered you would say as I do, 'Dear God, let it besoon!' There! Put your head on my shoulder, dear child! See if you canget a little sleep! You have cared for me long enough. Now I am going tocare for you. "

With loving words she soothed her, calming her as though she had been achild in nightmare terror, and gradually a certain peace began to stillthe horror in Dinah's soul. An unmistakable drowsiness was stealing overher, a merciful lethargy lulling the sensibilities that had been soacutely tried. Her weakness was merging into a sense of almost blissfulrepose. She was no longer conscious of the anguish of the cold. Neitherdid the darkness trouble her. And the comfort of Isabel's arms was restto her spirit. 

As one who wanders in a golden maze she began to dream strange dreamsthat yet were not woven by the hand of sleep. Dimly she saw as down along perspective a knight in golden armour climbing, ever climbing, thepeaks of Paradise, from which, as from an eagle's nest, she watched hisdifficult but untiring progress. She thought he halted somewhat in theascent--which was unlike Apollo, who walked as walk the gods with a gaitboth arrogant and assured. But still he came on, persistently, resolutely, carrying his golden shield before him. 

His visor was down, and she wished that he would raise it. She yearnedfor the sight of that splendid face with its knightly features and blue, fiery eyes. She pictured it to herself as he came, but somehow it did notseem to fit that patient climbing figure. 

And then as he gradually drew nearer, the thought came to her to go andmeet him, and she started to run down the slope. She reached him. Shegave him both her hands. She was ready--she was eager--to be drawn intohis arms. 

But he did not so draw her. To her amazement he only bowed himself beforeher and stretched forth the shield he bore that it might cover them both. 

"It is Mr. Greatheart!" she said to herself in wonder. "Of course--it isMr. Greatheart!"

And then, while she still gazed upon the glittering, princely form, heput up a hand and lifted the visor. And she saw the kindly, steadfasteyes all kindled and alight with a glory before which instinctively shehid her own. Never--no, never--had she dreamed before that any man couldlook at her so! It was not passion that those eyes held for her;--it wasworship. 

She stood with bated breath and throbbing heart, waiting, waiting, as onein the presence of a vision, who longs--yet fears--to look. And while shewaited she knew that the sun was shining upon them both with a glowingwarmth that filled her soul abrim with such a rapture as she had neverknown before. 

"How wonderful!" she murmured to herself. "How wonderful!"

And then at last she summoned courage to look up, and all in a moment hervision was shattered. The darkness was all about her again; Greatheartwas gone. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE RETURN

What happened after the passing of her vision Dinah never fully knew, soslack had become her grip upon material things. Her spirit seemed to bewandering aimlessly about the mountain-side while her body lay in icychains within that miserable shelter. Of Isabel's presence she was nolonger even dimly aware, and she knew neither fear nor pain, only a widedesolation of emptiness that encompassed her as atmosphere encompassesthe world. 

Sometimes she fancied that the sound of voices came muffled through thefog that hung impenetrably upon the great slope. And when this fancycaught her, her spirit drifted back very swiftly to the nearneighbourhood of that inert and frozen body that lay so helpless in thedark. For that strange freedom of the spirit seemed to her to be highlydangerous and in a fashion wrong. It would be a terrible thing if theyfound and buried the body, and the spirit were left alone to wander forever homeless on that desolate mountain-side. She could not imagine afate more awful. 

At the same time, being free from the body, she knew no physical pain, and she shrank from returning before she need, knowing well the anguishof suffering that awaited her. The desolation and loneliness made herunhappy in a vague and not very comprehensible fashion, but she did notsuffer actively. That would come later when return became imperative. Till then she flitted to and fro, intangible as gossamer, elusive as thesnow. She wondered what Apollo would say if he could see her thus. Evenhe would fail to catch her now. She pictured the strong arms closing uponher, and clasping--emptiness. That thought made her a little cold, andsent her floating back to make sure that the lifeless body was stillthere. 

And as she went, drifting through the silence, there came to her thethought that Scott would be unutterably shocked if they brought her backto him dead. It was strange how the memory of him haunted her that night. It almost seemed as if his spirit were out there in the great waste, seeking hers. 

She reached the shelter and entered, borne upon snowflakes. Yes, the bodywas still there. She hovered over it like a bird over its nest. ForScott's sake, should she not return?

And then very suddenly there came a great sound close to her--the loudbarking of a dog;--and in a second--in less--she had returned. 

A long, long shiver went through the poor frozen thing that was herself, and she knew that she moaned as one awaking.... 

Vaguely, through dulled senses, she heard the great barking yet again, and something immense that was furry and soft brushed against her. Sheheard the panting of a large animal close to her in the hut, and veryfeebly she put out a hand. 

She did not like that loud baying. It went through and through her brain. She was not frightened, only dreadfully tired. And now that she was backagain in the body, she longed unspeakably to sleep. 

But the noise continued, a perfect clamour of sound; and soon there cameother sounds, the shouting of men, the muffled tread of feet sorelyhampered by snow. A dim light began to shine, and gradually increasedtill it became a single, piercing eye that swept searchingly around thewretched shelter. An arc of fog surrounded it, obscuring all besides. 

Dinah gazed wide-eyed at that dazzling arc, wondering numbly, whence itcame. It drew nearer to her. Its brightness became intolerable. She triedto shut her eyes, but the lids felt too stiff to move. Again, morefeebly, she moved her hand. It would be terrible if they thought herdead, especially after all the trouble she had taken to return. 

And then very suddenly the deadly lethargy passed from her. All hernerves were pricked into activity. For someone--someone--was kneelingbeside her. She felt herself gathered into strong arms. 

"Quick, Wetherby! The brandy!" Ah, well she knew those brief, peremptorytones! "My God! We're only just in time!"

Fast pressed against a man's heart, a faint warmth went through her. Sheknew an instant of perfect serenity; but the next she uttered a piteouscry of pain. For fire--liquid, agonizing--was on her bloodless lips andin her mouth. It burned its ruthless way down her throat, setting herwhole body tingling, waking afresh in her the power to suffer. 

She turned, weakly gasping, and hid her face upon the breast thatsupported her. 

Instantly she felt herself clasped more closely. "It's all right, littledarling, all right!" he whispered to her with an almost fiercetenderness. "Take it like a good child! It'll pull you through. "

With steady insistence he turned her face back again, chafing her icycheek hard. And in a moment or two another burning dose was on its way. 

It made her choke and gurgle, but it did its work. The frozen heart inher began to beat again with great jerks and bounds, sending quiveringshocks throughout her body. 

She tried to speak to him, to whisper his name; but she could only gaspand gasp against his breast, and presently from very weakness she beganto cry. 

He gathered her closer still, murmuring fond words, while he rubbed herface and hands, imparting the warmth of his own body to hers. Hispresence was like a fiery essence encompassing her. Lying there againsthis heart, she felt the tide of life turn in her veins and steadily flowagain. Like a child, she clung to him, and after a while, with an impulsesublimely natural, she lifted her lips to his. 

He pressed his lips upon them closely, lingeringly. "Better now, sweetheart?" he whispered. 

And she, clinging to him, found voice to answer, "Nothing matters now youhave come. "

The consciousness of his protecting care filled her with a rapture almosttoo great to be borne. She throbbed in his arms, pressing closer, evercloser. And the grim Shadow of Death receded from the threshold. She knewthat she was safe. 

It was soon after this that the thought of Isabel came to her, andtremulously she begged him to go to her. But he would not suffer her outof his arms. 

"The others can see to her, " he said. "You are my care. "

She thrilled at the words, but she would not be satisfied. "She has beenso good to me, " she told him pleadingly "See, I am wearing her coat. "

"But for her you would never have come to this, " he made brief reply, andshe thought his words were stern. 

Then, as she would not be pacified, he lifted her like a child and heldher so that she could look down upon Isabel, lying inert and senselessagainst the doctor's knee. 

"Oh, is she dead?" whispered Dinah, awe-struck. 

"I don't know, " he made answer, and by the tightening of his arms sheknew that her safety meant more to him at the moment than that of Isabelor anyone else in the world. 

But in a second or two she heard Isabel moan, and was reassured. 

"She is coming round, " the doctor said. "She is not so far gone as theother lassie. "

Dinah wondered hazily what he could mean, wondered if by any chance hesuspected that long and dreary wandering of her spirit up and down themountain-side. She nestled her head down against Eustace's shoulder witha feeling of unutterable thankfulness that she had returned in time. 

Her impressions after that were of a very dim and shadowy description. She supposed the brandy had made her sleepy. Very soon she drifted offinto a state of semi-consciousness in which she realized nothing but thestrong holding of his arms. She even vaguely wondered after a timewhether this also were not a dream, for other fantasies began to crowdabout her. She rocked on a sea of strange happenings on which she foundit impossible to focus her mind. It seemed to have broken adrift as itwere--a rudderless boat in a gale. But still that sense of security neverwholly left her. Dreaming or waking, the force of his personalityremained with her. 

It must have been hours later, she reflected afterwards, that she heardthe Colonel's voice exclaim hoarsely over her head, "In heaven's name, say she isn't dead!"

And, "Of course she isn't, " came Eustace's curt response. "Should I becarrying her if she were?"

She tried to open her eyes, but could not. They seemed to be weighteddown. But she did very feebly close her numbed hands about Eustace'scoat. Emphatically she did not want to be handed over like a bale ofgoods to the Colonel. 

He clasped her to him reassuringly, and presently she knew that he boreher upstairs, holding her comfortably close all the way. 

"Don't go away from me!" she begged him weakly. 

"Not so long as you want me, little sweetheart, " he made answer. But herwoman's heart told her that a parting was imminent notwithstanding. 

In all her life she had never had so much attention before. She seemed tohave entered upon a new and amazing phase of existence. Colonel de Vignefaded completely into the background, and she found herself in the careof Biddy and the doctor. Eustace left her with a low promise to return, and she had to be satisfied with that thought, though she would fain haveclung to him still. 

They undressed her and put her into a hot bath that did much to lessenthe numb constriction of her limbs, though it brought also the mostagonizing pain she had ever known. When it was over, the limit of herendurance was long past; and she lay in hot blankets weeping helplesslywhile Biddy tried in vain to persuade her to drink some scalding mixturethat she swore would make her feel as gay as a lark. 

In the midst of this, someone entered quietly and stood beside her; andall in a moment there came to Dinah the consciousness of an unknown forcevery strangely uplifting her. She looked up with a quivering smile in themidst of her tears. 

"Oh, Mr. Greatheart, " she whispered brokenly, "is it you?"

He smiled down upon her, and took the cup from Biddy's shaky old hand. 

"May I give you this?" he said. 

Dinah was filled with gratified confusion. "Oh, please, you mustn'ttrouble! But--how very kind of you!"

He took Biddy's place by her side. His eyes were shining with an oddbrilliance, almost, she thought to herself wonderingly, as if they heldtears. A sharp misgiving went through her. How was it they were bestowingso much care upon her, unless Isabel--Isabel--

She did not dare to put her doubt into words, but he read it andinstantly answered it. "Don't be anxious!" he said in his kindly, tiredvoice. "All is well. Isabel is asleep--actually sleeping quietly withoutany draught. The doctor is quite satisfied about her. "

He spoke the simple truth, she knew; he was incapable of doing anythingelse. A great wave of thankfulness went through her, obliterating theworst of her misery. 

"I am so glad, " she told him weakly. "I was--so dreadfully afraid. I--Ihad to go with her, Mr. Studley. I do hope everyone understands. "

"Everyone does, " he made answer gently. "Now let me give you this, andthen you must sleep too. "

She drank from the cup he held, and felt revived. 

He did not speak again till she had finished; then he leaned slightlytowards her, and spoke with great earnestness. "Miss Bathurst, do yourealize, I wonder, that you saved my sister's life by going with her? Ido; and I shall never forget it. "

She was sure now that she caught the gleam of tears in the grey eyes. Sheslipped her hands out to him. "I only did what I could, " she murmuredconfusedly. "Anyone would have done it. And please, Mr. Greatheart, willyou call me Dinah?"

"Or Mercy?" he suggested smiling, her hands clasped close in his. 

She smiled back with shy confidence. The memory of her dream was in hermind, but she could not tell him of that. 

"No, " she said. "Just Dinah. I'm not nice enough to be called anythingelse. And thank you--thank you for being so good to me. "

"My dear child, " he made quiet reply, "no one who really knows you couldbe anything else. "

"Oh, don't you think they could?" said Dinah wistfully. "I wish therewere more people in the world like you. "

"No one ever thought of saying that to me before, " said Scott. 

CHAPTER XXII

THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

After that interview with Scott there followed a long, long period ofpain and weakness for Dinah. She who had never known before what it meantto be ill went down to the Valley of the Shadow and lingered there formany days and nights. And there came a time when those who watched besideher began to despair of her ever turning back. 

So completely had she lost touch with the ordinary things of life thatshe knew but little of what went on around her, dwelling as it wereapart, conscious sometimes of agonizing pain, but more often of adreadful sinking as of one overwhelmed in the billows of an everlastingsea. At such times she would cling piteously to any succouring hand, crying to them to hold her up--only to hold her up. And if the hand werethe hand of Greatheart, she always found comfort at length and a sense ofsecurity that none other could impart. 

Her fancy played about him very curiously in those days. She saw him inmany guises, --as prince, as knight, as magician; but never as the meanand insignificant figure which first had caught her attention on thatsunny morning before the fancy-dress ball. 

This man who sat beside her bed of suffering for hours together becauseshe fretted when he went away, who held her up when the gathering billowsthreatened to overwhelm her fainting soul, who prayed for her with theutmost simplicity when she told him piteously that she could not pray forherself, this man was above and beyond all ordinary standards. She lookedup to him with reverence, as one of colossal strength who had power withGod. 

But she never dreamed again that golden dream of Greatheart in hisshining armour with the light of a great worship in his eyes. That hadbeen a wild flight of presumptuous fancy that never could come true. 

His was not the only hand to which she clung during those terrible daysof fear and suffering. Another presence was almost constantly beside hernight and day, --a tender, motherly presence that watched over andministered to her with a devotion that never slackened. For some timeDinah could not find a name for this gracious and comforting presence, but one day when a figure clothed in a violet dressing-gown stooped overher to give her nourishment an illuminating memory came to her, and fromthat moment this loving nurse of hers filled a particular niche in herheart which was dedicated to the Purple Empress. She could think of noother name for her. That quiet and stately presence seemed to demand aroyal appellation. In her calmer moments Dinah liked to lie and watch thestill face with its crown of silvery hair. She loved the touch of thewhite hands that always knew with unerring intuition exactly what neededto be done. There seemed to be healing in their touch. 

Very strangely the thought of Eustace never came to her, or coming, butflitted unrecorded and undetained across the surface of her mind. He hadreceded with all the rest of the world into the far, far distance thatlay behind her. He had no place in this region of many shadows wherethese others so tenderly guided her wandering feet. No one else had anyplace there save old Biddy who, being never absent, seemed a part of theatmosphere, and the doctor who came and went like a presiding genie inthat waste of desolation. 

She did not welcome his visits, although he was invariably kind, for onone occasion she caught a low murmur from him to the effect that hermother had better come to her, and this suggestion had thrown her into amost painful state of apprehension. She had implored them weeping to lether mother stay away, and they had hushed her with soothing promises; butshe never saw the doctor thereafter without a nervous dread that shemight also see her mother's gaunt figure accompanying him. And she wassure--quite sure--that her mother would be very angry with her when shesaw her helplessness. 

Nightmares of her mother's advent began to trouble her. She would startup in anguish of soul, scarcely believing in the soothing arms that heldher till their tenderness hushed her back to calmness. 

"No one can come to you, sweetheart, while I am here. " How often sheheard the low words murmured lovingly over her head! "See, I am holdingyou! You are quite safe. No one can take you from me. "

And Dinah would cling to her beloved empress till her panic died away. 

On one of these occasions Scott was present, and he presently left thesick-room with a look in his eyes that gave him a curiously hardexpression. He went deliberately in search of Billy whom he found playinga not very spirited game with the two little daughters of theestablishment. The weather had broken, and several people had left inconsequence. 

Billy was bored as well as anxious, and his attitude said as much as heunceremoniously left his small playfellows to join Scott. 

"Just amusin' the kids, " he observed explanatorily. "How is she now?"

Scott linked his hand in the boy's arm. "She's pretty bad, Billy, " hesaid. "Both lungs are affected. The doctor thinks badly of her, though hestill hopes he may pull her through. "

"You may you mean, " returned Billy. "Can't say the de Vignes have putthemselves out at all over her. There's Rose flirts all day long withyour brother, and Lady Grace grumbling continually about the folly ofundertaking other people's responsibilities. She swears she must get backat the end of next week for their precious house-party. And the Colonelfumes and says the same. I told him I shouldn't go unless she was out ofdanger, though goodness knows, sir, I don't want to sponge on you. "

Scott's hand pressed his arm reassuringly. "Don't imagine such a thingpossible!" he said. "Of course you must stay if she isn't very muchbetter by that time. But now, Billy, tell me--if it isn't an unwelcomequestion--why doesn't your sister want your mother to come to her?"

Billy gave him one of his shrewd glances. "She's told you that, has she?Well, you know the mater is rather a queer fish, and I doubt very much ifshe'd come if you asked her. "

"My good fellow!" Scott said. "Not if she were dying?"

"I doubt it, " said Billy, unmoved. "You see, the mater hasn't much usefor Dinah, except as a maid-of-all work. Never has had. It's notaltogether her fault. It's just the way she's made. "

"Good heavens!" said Scott, and added, as if to himself, "That littlefairy thing!"

"She can't help it, " said Billy. "She can't get on with the femalespecies. It's like cats, you know, --a sort of jealousy. "

"And your father?" questioned Scott, the hard look growing in his eyes. 

"Oh, Dad!" said Billy, smiling tolerantly. "He's all right--quite adecent sort. But you wouldn't get him to leave home in the middle of thehunting season. He's one of the Whips. "

Scott's hand had tightened unconsciously to a grip. Billy looked at himin surprised interrogation, and was amazed to see a heavy frown drawingthe colourless brows. There was a fiery look in the pale eyes also thathe had never seen before. 

He waited in silence for developments, being of a wary disposition, andin a moment Scott spoke in a voice of such concentrated fury that Billyfelt as if a total stranger were confronting him. 

"An infernal and blackguardly shame!" he said. "It would serve them rightif the little girl never went back to them again. I never heard of suchdamnable callousness in all my life before. "

Billy opened his eyes wide, and after a second or two permitted himself asoft whistle. 

Scott's hold upon his arm relaxed. "Yes, I know, " he said. "I've no rightto say it to you. But when the blood boils, you've got to let off thesteam somehow. I suppose you've written to tell them all about her?"

"Oh yes, I wrote, and so did the Colonel. I had a letter from Dad thismorning. He said he hoped she was better and that she was being welllooked after. That's like Dad, you know. He never realizes a thing unlesshe's on the spot. I daresay I shouldn't myself, " said Billybroadmindedly. "It's want of imagination in the main. "

"Or want of heart, " said Scott curtly. 

Billy did not attempt to refute the amendment. "It's just the way youchance to be made, " he said philosophically. "Of course I'm fond ofDinah. We're pals. But Dad's an easy-going sort of chap. He isn'tspecially fond of anybody. The mater, --well, she's keen on me, Isuppose, " he blushed a little; "but, as I said before, she hasn't muchuse for Dinah. Even when she was a small kid, she used to whip her noend. Dinah is frightened to death at her. I don't wonder she doesn't wanther sent for. "

Scott's face was set in stern lines. "She certainly shall not be sentfor, " he said with decision. "The poor child shall be left in peace. "

"She is going to get better, isn't she?" said Billy quickly. 

"I hope so, old chap. I hope so. " Scott patted his shoulder kindly andprepared to depart. 

But Billy detained him a moment. "I say, can't I come and see her?"

"Not now, lad. " Scott paused, and all the natural kindliness came backinto his eyes. "My sister was just getting her calm again when I cameaway. We won't disturb her now. "

"How is your sister, sir?" asked Billy. "Isn't she feeling the strainrather?"

"No, she is standing it wonderfully. In fact, " Scott hesitatedmomentarily, "I believe that in helping Dinah, she has found herselfagain. "

"Do you really?" said Billy. "Then I do hope for her sake that Dinah willbuck up and get well. "

"Thanks, old chap. " Scott held out a friendly hand. "I'm sorry you'rehaving such a rotten time. Come along to me any time when you're feelingbored! I shall be only too pleased when I'm at liberty. "

"You're a brick, sir, " said Billy. "And I say, you'll send for me, won'tyou, if--if--" He broke off. "You know, as I said before, Dinah and I arepals, " he ended wistfully. 

"Of course I will, lad. Of course I will. " Scott wrung his hand hard. "But we'll pull her through, please God! We must pull her through. "

"If anyone can, you will, " said Billy with conviction. 

Like Dinah, he had caught a glimpse in that brief conversation of thesoul that inhabited that weak and puny form. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE WAY BACK

It was three days later that Dinah began at last the long and wearypilgrimage back again. Almost against her will she turned her falteringsteps up the steep ascent; for she was too tired for any sustainedeffort. Only that something seemed to be perpetually drawing her shewould not have been moved to make the effort at all. For she was sopiteously weak that the bare exertion of opening her eyes was almost morethan she could accomplish. But ever the unknown influence urged her, verygently but very persistently, never passive, never dormant, but alwaysdrawing her as by an invisible cord back to the world of sunshine andtears that seemed so very far away from the land of shadows in which shewandered. 

All active suffering had left her, and she would fain have been at peace;but the hand that clasped hers would not be denied. The motherly voicethat had calmed the wildest fantasies of her fevered brain spoke now toher with tenderest encouragement; the love that surrounded her drew her, uplifted her, sustained her. And gradually, as she crept back from theshadows, she came to lean upon this love as upon a sure support, to countupon it as her own exclusive possession--a wonderful new gift that hadcome to her out of the darkness. 

She still welcomed her friend Scott at her bedside, but very curiouslyshe had grown a little shy in his presence. She could not forget thatdream of hers, and for a long time she was haunted by the dread that hehad in some way come to know of it. Though the steady eyes never heldanything but the utmost kindness and sympathy, she was half afraid tomeet them lest they should look into her heart and see the vision she hadseen. She never called him Mr. Greatheart now. 

With Isabel, beloved nurse and companion, she was completely at her ease. A great change had come over Isabel--such a change as turns the bareearth into a garden of spring when the bitter winter is past at last. Allthe ice-bound bitterness had been swept utterly away, and in its placethere blossomed such a wealth of mother-love as transformed hercompletely. 

She spent herself with the most lavish devotion in Dinah's service. Therewas not a wish that she expressed that was not swiftly and abundantlysatisfied. Night and day she was near her, ignoring all Biddy'sinjunctions to rest, till the old woman, seeing the light that had dawnedin the shadowed eyes, left her to take her own way in peace. She hoveredin the background, always ready in case her mistress's new-found strengthshould fail. But Isabel did not need her care. All her being wasconcentrated upon the task of bringing Dinah back to life, and shethought of nothing else, meeting the strain with that strength whichcomes in great emergencies to all. 

And as she gradually succeeded in her task, a great peace descended uponher, such as she had never known before. Biddy sometimes gazed inamazement at the smooth brow and placid countenance at Dinah's bedside. 

"Sure, the young lady's been a blessing straight from the Almighty, " shesaid to Scott. 

"I think so too, Biddy, " he made quiet answer. 

He was much less in the sick-room now that Dinah's need of him hadpassed. He sometimes wondered if she even knew how many hours he hadformerly spent there. He visited her every day, and it was to him thatthe task fell of telling her that the de Vignes had arranged to leaveher in their charge. 

"We have your father's permission, " he said, when her brows drew togetherwith a troubled expression. "You see, it is quite impossible to move youat present, and they must be getting home. Billy is to go with them ifyou think you can be happy alone with us. "

She put out her little wasted hand. "I could be happy with you anywhere, "she said simply. "But it doesn't seem right. "

"Of course it is right, " he made quiet reply. "In fact, if you ask me, Ithink it is our business rather than anyone else's to get you wellagain. "

She flushed in quick embarrassment. "Oh, please, you mustn't put it likethat. And I have been such a trouble to everyone ever since. "

He smiled at her very kindly. "Biddy says you are a blessing from theAlmighty, and I quite agree with her. It is settled then? You are contentto stay with us until we take you home?"

Her hand was clasped in his, but she did not meet his look. "Oh, muchmore than content, " she said, her voice very low. "Only--"

"Only?" he said gently. 

She made an effort to lift her eyes, but dropped them again instantly. "It will make it much harder to go home, " she said. 

She thought he sounded somewhat grim as he said, "There is no need tomeet troubles half-way, you know. You won't be strong enough for thejourney for some time to come. "

"I wish I could stay just as I am now, " she told him tremulously, "forever and ever and ever. "

"Ah!" he said, with a faint sigh. "It is not given to any of us to baskin the sun for long. "

And so, two days after, the de Vignes paid a state visit of farewell toDinah, now pronounced out of danger but still pitiably weak, --so weakthat she cried when the Colonel bade her be a good girl and get wellenough to come home as soon as possible, so as not to be a burden tothese kind friends of hers longer than she need. 

Lady Grace's kiss was chilly and perfunctory. "I also hope you will getwell quickly, Dinah, " she said, "as I believe Mr. Studley and his sisterare staying on mainly on your account. Sir Eustace, I understand, isreturning very shortly, and I have asked him to join our house-party. "

"Good-bye, dear!" murmured Rose, bending her smiling lips to kiss Dinah'sforehead. "I am sorry your good time has had such a tragic end. I washoping that you might be allowed to come to the Hunt Ball, but I amafraid that is out of the question now. Sir Eustace will be sorry too. He says you are such an excellent little dancer. "

"Good-bye!" said Dinah, swallowing her tears. 

She wept unrestrainedly when Billy bade her a bluff and friendlyfarewell, and he was practically driven from the room by Isabel; who thenreturned to her charge, gathered her close in her arms, and sat with herso, rocking her gently till gradually her agitation subsided. 

"Do forgive me!" Dinah murmured at last, clinging round her neck. 

To which Isabel made answer in that low voice of hers that so throbbedwith tenderness whenever she spoke to her. "Dear child, there is nothingto forgive. You are tired and worn out. I know just how you feel. Butnever mind--never mind! Forget it all!"

"I know I am a burden, " whispered Dinah, clinging closer. 

Isabel's lips pressed her forehead. "My darling, " she said, "you are sucha burden as I could not bear to be without. "

That satisfied Dinah for the time; but it was not the whole of hertrouble, and presently, still clasped close to Isabel's heart, she gavehesitating utterance to the rest. 

"It would have been--so lovely--to have gone to the Hunt Ball. I shouldlike to dance with--with Sir Eustace again. Is he--is he really going tostay with the de Vignes?"

"I don't know, dear. Very possibly not. " Isabel's voice held a hint ofconstraint though her arms pressed Dinah comfortingly close. "He willplease himself when the time comes no doubt. "

Dinah did not pursue the subject, but her mind was no longer at rest. Shewondered how she could have forgotten Sir Eustace for so long, and nowthat she remembered him she was all on fire with the longing to see himagain. Rose had spoken so possessively, so confidently, of him, asthough--almost as though--he had become her own peculiar property duringthe long dark days in which Dinah had been wandering in another world. 

Something in Dinah hotly and fiercely resented this attitude. She yearnedto know if it were by any means justified. She could not, would not, believe that he had suffered himself to fall like other men a victim toRose's wiles. He was so different from all others, so superbly far aboveall those other captives. And had she not heard him laugh and call Rosemachine-made?

A great restlessness began to possess her. She felt she must know whathad been happening during her absence from the field. She must know ifRose had succeeded in adding yet another to her long list of devotedadmirers. She felt that if this were so, she could never, never forgiveher. But it was not possible. She was sure--she was sure it was notpossible. 

Sir Eustace was not the man to grovel at any woman's feet. She recalledthe arrogance of his demeanour even in his moments of greatesttenderness. She recalled the magnetic force of his personality, hisoverwhelming mastery. She recalled the strong holding of his arms, thrilled yet again to the burning intensity of his kisses. 

No, no! He had never stooped to become one of Rose's adorers. Ifhe had ever flirted with her, he had done it out of boredom. She wasbeautiful--ah yes, Rose was beautiful; but Dinah was quite convincedshe had no brains. And Eustace would never seriously consider a womanwithout brains. 

Seriously! But then had he ever taken her into his serious considerationeither? Had he not rather been at pains to make her understand that whathad passed between them was no more than a game to which no seriousconsequences were attached? She had caught his fancy, his passing fancy, and now was not her turn over? Had he not laughed and gone his way?

She chafed terribly at the thought, and ever the longing to see him againgrew within her till she did not know how to hide it from those abouther. 

In the evening her temperature rose, and the doctor was dissatisfied withher. She passed a restless night, and was considerably weaker in themorning. 

"There is something on her mind, " the doctor said to Isabel. "See if youcan find out what it is!"

But it was Scott who succeeded with the utmost gentleness in discoveringthe trouble. He came in late in the morning and sat down beside her for afew minutes. 

"I have been writing letters for my brother, " he said in his quiet way, "or I should have called for news of you sooner. Isabel tells me you havehad a bad night. "

Dinah's face was flushed and her eyes very bright. "I heard thedance-music in the distance, " she said nervously. "It--it made me want togo and dance. "

"I am sorry it disturbed you, " he said gently. "It was only that then?You weren't really troubled about anything?"

She hesitated, then, meeting the kindness of his look, her eyes suddenlyfilled with tears. She turned her head away in silence. 

He leaned towards her. "Is there anything you want?" he said. "Tell mewhat it is! I will get it for you if it is humanly possible. "

"I know--I know!" faltered Dinah, and hid her face in the pillow. 

He waited a moment or two, then laid a very gentle hand upon her darkhead. "Don't cry, little one!" he said softly. "Tell me what it is!"

"I can't, " murmured Dinah. 

"You wanted to go and dance, " said Scott sympathetically. "Was it justthat?"

"Not--just--that!" she whispered forlornly. 

"I thought not. You were wanting something more than that. What was it?"

She tried not to tell him. She would have given almost all she had tokeep silence on the subject; but somehow she had to speak. Under thepressure of that kind hand, she could not maintain her silence anylonger. 

"I was thinking of--of your brother, " she told him with tears. "I waswondering if--if he were dancing, and--and I not there!"

It was out at last, and she hid her face in overwhelming shame becauseshe had given him a glimpse of her secret heart which none had ever seenbefore. She wondered with anguish what he thought of her, if she hadforfeited his good opinion of her for ever, if indeed he would ever speakto her with kindness again. 

And then very quietly he did speak, and in a moment all her anxiety wasgone. "He may have been dancing, " he said. "But I believe he has beenvery bored ever since the weather broke. I wonder if he might come andsee you. Would it be too much for you? Should you mind?"

"Mind!" Dinah's tears were gone in a flash. She turned shining eyes uponhim. "But would he come?" she said, with sudden misgiving. "Wouldn't thatbore him too?"

Scott smiled at her in a way that set her mind wholly at rest. "No, Ithink not, " he said. "When shall he come? This evening?"

Dinah slipped a confiding hand into his. She felt that now Scott knew andwas not scandalized, there was no further need for embarrassment. "Oh, just any time, " she said. "But hadn't I better get up? It would lookbetter, wouldn't it?"

"I don't know about that, " said Scott. "You had better ask the doctor. "

Dinah's face flushed red. "Need the doctor know?" she asked him shyly. "Iam--so afraid of his saying I am well enough to go home. And that--thatwill end everything. "

"He shan't say that, " Scott promised, still smiling in the fashion thatso warmed her heart. "I will drop him a hint. "

"Oh, you are good!" Dinah said very earnestly. "I think you are thekindest man I have ever met. "

He laughed at that. "My dear, it is easy to be kind to you, " he said. 

"I'm sure I don't know why, " she protested. "I'm getting very spoilt andselfish. "

He patted her hand gently and laid it down. "You are--just you, " he said, and rising with the words rather abruptly he left her. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE LIGHTS OF A CITY

"May I come in?" said Sir Eustace. 

He stood in the doorway, a gigantic figure to Dinah's unaccustomed eyes, and looked in upon her with a careless smile on his handsome face. 

"Oh, please do!" she said. 

She was lying on a couch under a purple rug belonging to Isabel. Veryfragile and weak she looked, but her face was flushed and eager, her eyesalight with welcome. She thought he had never looked so splendid, sogodlike, as at that moment. She wanted to hold out both her arms to himand be borne upward to Olympus in his embrace. 

He came forward with his easy carriage and stood beside her. His smilewas one of kindly indulgence. He looked down at her as he might havelooked upon an infant. 

An uneasy sense of her own insignificance went through Dinah. She couldnot remember that he had ever regarded her thus before. A faint, faintthrob of resentment also pulsed through her. His attitude was sosuggestive of the mere casual acquaintance. Surely--surely he had notforgotten!

"Won't you sit down?" she asked in a small voice that was quiteunconsciously formal. 

He seated himself in the chair that had been placed at her side. "So theyhave left you behind to be mended, have they?" he said. "I hope it is asatisfactory process, is it?"

She had meant to give him her hand, but as he did not seem to expect itshe refrained from doing so. A great longing to cover her face and burstinto tears took possession of her; she resisted it frantically, with allher strength. 

"Oh yes, I am getting better, thank you, " she said, in a voice thatquivered in spite of her. "I am afraid I have been a great nuisance toeverybody. I am sure the de Vignes thought so; and--and--I expect you dotoo. "

She could not keep the tears from springing to her eyes, strive as shewould. He was so different--so different. He might have been a totalstranger, sitting there beside her. 

Yet as he looked at her, she felt something of the old quick thrill; forthe blue eyes regarded her with a slightly warmer interest as he said, "Ican't answer for the de Vignes of course, but it doesn't seem to me thateither they or I have had much cause for complaint. I shouldn't fretabout that if I were you. "

She commanded herself with an effort. "I don't. Only it isn't nice tofeel a burden to anyone, is it? You wouldn't like it, would you?"

"Oh, I don't know, " he said, with his easy arrogance. "I think I shouldexpect to be waited on if I were ill. You've had rather a bad time, I'mafraid. But you haven't missed much. The weather has been villainous. "

"I've missed all the dances, " said Dinah, stifling a sob. 

He began to smile. "I wish I had. I haven't enjoyed one of them. "

That comforted her a little. At least Rose had not scored an unqualifiedvictory! "You've been bored?" she asked. 

"Horribly bored, " said Sir Eustace. "There's been no fun for anyone sincethe weather broke. "

She gathered her courage in both hands. "And so you're going home?" shesaid, and lay in quivering dread of his answer. 

He did not make one immediately. He seemed to be considering the matter. "There doesn't seem to be much point in staying on, " he said finally, "unless things improve. "

"But they will improve, " said Dinah quickly. "At least--at least theyought to. "

"A fortnight of bad weather isn't particularly encouraging, " he remarked. 

"Of course it isn't! It's horrid, " she agreed. "But every day makes itless likely that it will last much longer. And I expect it's much worsein England, " she added. 

"I wonder, " said Sir Eustace. "There's the hunting anyway. "

"Oh no; it would freeze directly you got there, " she said, with a shakylittle laugh. "And then you would wish you had stayed here. "

"I could shoot, " said Sir Eustace. 

"And there is the Hunt Ball, isn't there?" said Dinah with moreassurance. 

He looked at her keenly. "What Hunt Ball?"

She met his eyes with a faint challenge in her own. "I heard you weregoing to stay with the de Vignes. They always go to the Hunt Ball everyyear. "

"Do you go?" asked Sir Eustace. 

She shook her head. "No. I never go anywhere. "

She saw his eyes soften unexpectedly as he said, "Then there isn't muchinducement for me to go, is there?"

Her heart gave a wild throb of half-incredulous delight. She made a smallmovement of one hand towards him, and quite suddenly she found it graspedin his. He bent to her with a laugh in his eyes. 

"Shall we go on with the game, --Daphne?" he whispered. "Are you wellenough?"

Her eyes answered him. Was he not irresistible? "Oh, " she whispered, "Ithought--I thought you had forgotten. "

He glanced round, as if to make sure that they were alone, and thenswiftly bent and kissed her quivering lips. "But the past has no claims, "he said. "Remember, it is a game without consequences!"

She laughed very happily, clasping his hand. "I was afraid it was allover, " she said. "But it isn't, is it?"

He laughed too under his breath. "I am under the very strictest ordersnot to excite you, " he said, passing the question by. "If the doctor wereto come and feel your pulse now, there would be serious trouble. And Ishouldn't be allowed within a dozen yards of you again for many a longday. "

"What nonsense!" murmured Dinah. "Why, you have done me so much good thatI feel almost well. " She squeezed his hand with all the strength shecould muster. "Don't go away till I'm quite well!" she begged himwistfully. "We must have--one more dance. "

His eyes kindled suddenly with that fire which she dared not meet. "Iwill grant you that, " he said, "on condition that you promise--mind, youpromise--not to run away afterwards. "

His intensity embarrassed her, she knew not wherefore. "Why--why should Irun away?" she faltered. 

"You ran away last time, " he said. 

"Oh, that was only--only because I was afraid the Colonel might be angrywith me, " she murmured. 

"Oh well, there is no Colonel to be angry now, " he said. "It's a promisethen, is it?"

But for some reason wholly undefined she hesitated. She felt as if shecould not bring herself thus to cut off her own line of retreat. "No, Idon't think I can quite promise that, " she said, after a moment. 

"You won't?" he said. 

His tone warned her to reconsider her decision. "I--I'll tell youto-morrow, " she said hastily. 

"I may be gone by to-morrow, " he said. 

She looked up at him with swift daring. "Oh no, you won't, " she said, with conviction. "Or if you are, you'll come back. "

"How do you know that?" he demanded, frowning upon her while his eyesstill gleamed with that lambent fire that made her half afraid. 

She dropped her own. "There's someone coming, " she whispered. "It doesn'tmatter, does it? I do know. Good-bye!"

She slipped her hand from his with a little secret sense of triumph; forthough he had so arrogantly asserted himself she was conscious of acertain power over him which gave her confidence. She was firmlyconvinced in that moment that he would not go. 

He rose to leave her as Isabel came softly into the room, and between thebrother and sister there flashed a look that was curiously like thecrossing of blades. 

Isabel came straight to Dinah's side. "You must settle down now, dearchild, " she said, in that low, musical voice of hers that Dinah loved. "It is getting late, and you didn't sleep well last night. "

Dinah smiled, and drew the hand that had so often smoothed her pillow toher cheek. But her eyes were upon Eustace, and she caught a parting gleamfrom his as with a gesture of farewell he turned away. 

"I am much better, " she said to Isabel later, as she composed herself torest. "I feel as if I am going to sleep well. "

Isabel stooped to kiss her. "Sleep is the best medicine in the world, "she said. 

"Do you sleep better now?" Dinah asked, detaining her. 

Isabel hesitated for a second. "Oh yes, I sleep, " she said then. "I amable to sleep now that you are safe, my darling. "

Dinah clung to her. "I can't think what I would do without you, " shemurmured. "No one was ever so good to me before. "

Isabel held her closely. "Don't you realize, " she said fondly, "that youhave been my salvation. "

"Not--not really?" faltered Dinah. 

"Yes, really. " There was a throb of passion in Isabel's voice. "I havebeen a prisoner for years, but you--you, little Dinah, --have set me free. I am travelling forward again now--like the rest of the world. " Shepaused a moment, and her arms clasped Dinah more closely still. "I do notthink I have very far to go, " she said, speaking very softly. "My nighthas been so long that I think the dawn cannot be far off now. God knowshow I am longing for it. "

"Oh, darling, don't--don't!" whispered Dinah piteously. 

"I won't, dearest. " Very tenderly Isabel kissed her again. "I didn't meanto distress you. Only I want you to know that you are just all the worldto me--the main-spring of what life there is left to me. I shall neverforgive myself for leading you away on that terrible Sunday, and causingyou all this suffering. "

"Oh, but I should have been home again by now if that hadn't happened, "said Dinah quickly. "See what I should have missed! I'd far, far ratherbe ill with you than well at home. "

"Yours isn't a happy home, sweetheart, " Isabel said gently. 

"Not very, " Dinah admitted. "But being away makes it seem much worse. Ihave been so spoilt with you. "

Isabel smiled. "I only wish I could keep you always, dear child. "

Dinah drew a sharp breath. "Oh, if you only could!" she said. 

Isabel pressed her to her heart, and laid her down. "I must get you backto bed, dear, " she said. "We have talked too long already. "

Late that night Isabel went softly to the door in answer to a low knock, and found Scott on the threshold. 

She lifted a warning finger. "She is asleep. "

"That's right, " he said quietly. "I only came to say good night to you. Are you going to bed now?"

She looked at him with a faint smile in her shadowed eyes. "I daresay Ishall go some time, " she said; then seeing the concern in his eyes:"Don't worry about me, Stumpy dear. I don't sleep a great deal, you know;but I rest. "

He took her arm and drew her gently outside the room. "I want you to takecare of yourself now that she is safe, " he said. "Will you try?"

The smile still lingered in her eyes. She bent her stately neck to kisshim. "Oh yes, dear; I shall be all right, " she said. "It does me good tohave the little one to think of. "

"I know, " he said. "But don't wear yourself out! Remember, you are notstrong. "

"Nothing I can do for her would be too much, " she answered with quickfeeling. "Think--think what she has done for me!"

"For us all, " said Scott gently. "But all the same, dear, you can spare alittle thought for yourself now. " He hesitated momentarily, then: "Ithink Eustace would like to see more of you, " he said, speaking with atouch of diffidence. 

She made a sharp gesture of impatience. "Why did you send him to disturbthe child's peace?"

"She wanted him, " said Scott simply. 

"Ah!" Isabel stood tense for a second. "And he?" she questioned. 

"He was quite pleased to see her again, " said Scott. 

She grasped his arm suddenly. "Stumpy, don't let him break her heart!"

He met her look with steadfast eyes. "He shall not do that, " he said, with inflexible resolution. 

Her hold became a grip. "Can you prevent it? You know what he is"

"Oh yes, I know, " very steadily Scott made answer. "But you needn't beafraid, Isabel. He shall not do that. "

A measure of relief came into her drawn face. "Thank you, Stumpy, " shesaid. "I was horribly afraid--when I saw him just now--and she, poorchild, so innocently glad to have him!"

"You needn't be afraid, " he reiterated. "Eustace is too much of asportsman to amuse himself at the expense of an unsophisticated childlike that. "

Isabel suppressed a shiver. "I don't think he is so scrupulous as youimagine, " she said. "We must watch, Stumpy; we must watch. "

He patted her arm with his quiet smile. "And we mustn't let ourselves getover-anxious, " he said. "Now go to bed, like a dear girl! You are lookingabsolutely worn out. "

Her lips quivered as she smiled back. "At least you are getting betternights, " she said. 

"Yes, I sleep very well, " he answered. "I want to know you are doing thesame. "

Her face shone as though reflecting the lights of a city seen from afar. "Oh yes, I sleep, " she said. "And sometimes I dream that I have reallyfound the peaks of Paradise. But before I reach the summit--I am awake. "

He drew her to him, and kissed her. "It is better that you should wake, dear, " he said. 

She returned his kiss with tenderness, but her eyes were fixed anddistant. "Some day the dream will come true, Stumpy, " she said softly. "And I shall find him there where he has been waiting for me all theseyears. "

"But not yet, Isabel, " murmured Scott, and there was pleading in hisvoice. 

She looked at him for a moment ere she turned to re-enter the room inwhich Dinah lay. "Not just yet, " she answered softly. "Good night, dear!Good night!"

The strange light was still upon her face as she went, and Scott lookedafter her with a faint, wistful smile about his mouth. As he went to hisown room, he passed his hand across his forehead with a gesture ofunutterable weariness. 

CHAPTER XXV

THE TRUE GOLD

The actual turning-point in Dinah's illness seemed to date from thatbrief interview with Sir Eustace. They had drawn her back half againsther will from the land of shadows, but from that day her will was set torecover. The old elasticity came back to her, and with every hour herstrength increased. The joy of life was hers once more. She was like aflower opening to the sun. 

Sir Eustace presented himself every evening for admittance and sat withher for a little while. Isabel was generally present, and theirconversation was in consequence of a strictly commonplace order; but thekeen blue eyes told Dinah more than the proud lips ever uttered. She cameto watch for that look which she could not meet, and though at times itsent a wild dart of fear through her, yet it filled her also with arapture indefinable but unspeakably precious. She felt sure that he hadnever turned that look on Rose or any other girl. It was kept exclusivelyfor her, and its fiery intensity thrilled her soul. It was the sign of asecret understanding between them which she believed none othersuspected. 

It was a somewhat terrible joy, for the man's strength had startled hermore than once, but in moments of dread she reassured herself with thememory of his reiterated declaration that the magic bond that existedbetween them was no bond at all in reality--only a game withoutconsequences. She would not look forward to the time when that gameshould be over. She was not looking forward at all, so sublimely happywas she in the present. The period of convalescence which to mostpatients is the hardest of all to bear was to her a dream of delight. 

A week after the departure of the de Vignes she was well enough to bemoved into Isabel's sitting-room, and here on that first day both SirEustace and Scott joined them at tea. 

The weather had cleared again, and Sir Eustace came in from anafternoon's ski-ing attired in the white sweater in which Dinah alwaysloved to see him. She lay on her couch and watched him with shining eyes, telling herself that no prince had ever looked more royal. 

It was Scott who waited upon her, but she was scarcely aware of hispresence. Even Isabel seemed to have faded into the background. She couldthink only of Eustace lounging near her in careless magnificence, talkingin his deep voice of the day's sport. 

"There are several new people arrived, " he said, "both ancient andmodern. The place was getting empty, but it has filled up again. There isto be a dance to-night, " his eyes sought Dinah's. "I am going downpresently to see if any of the new-comers have any talents worthcultivating. "

She met his look with a flash of daring. "I wish you luck, " she said. 

He made her a bow. "You are very generous. But I scarcely expect any. Mystar has not been in the ascendant for a long time. "

Scott uttered a laugh that sounded faintly derisive. "You'll have to makethe best of the second best for once, my dear chap, " he said. "You can'talways have your cake iced. "

Eustace glanced at him momentarily. "I am not you, Stumpy, " he said. "Thephilosophy of the second best is only for those who have never tasted thebest. "

There was in his tone a touch of malice that caught Dinah very oddly, like the flick of a lash intended for another. She awoke very suddenly tothe realization of Scott sitting near Isabel with the light shining onhis pale face and small, colourless beard. How insignificant he looked!And yet the narrow shoulders had an independent set about them as thoughthey were not without a certain strength. 

The smile still lingered about his lips as he made quiet rejoinder. "Itsometimes needs a philosopher to tell what is the best. "

Eustace gave an impatient shrug. "The philosopher is not always a wiseman, " he observed briefly. 

"But seldom an utter fool, " returned Scott. 

The elder brother's face was contemptuous as he said, "A philosopher mayrecognize what is best, but it is seldom within his reach. "

"And so, being a philosopher, he does without it. " Scott spokethoughtfully; he was gazing straight before him. 

Isabel suddenly leaned forward. "He is not always the loser, Stumpy, " shesaid. 

He looked at her. "Certainly a man can't lose what he has never had, " hesaid. 

"Every man has his chance once, " she insisted. 

"And--if he's a philosopher--he doesn't take it, " laughed Eustace. "Don'tyou know, my dear Isabel, that that is the very cream and essence ofphilosophy?"

She gave him a swift look that was an open challenge. "What do you knowof philosophy and the greater things of life?" she said. 

He looked momentarily surprised. Dinah saw the ready frown gather on hishandsome face; but before he could speak Scott intervened. 

"How on earth did we get onto this abstruse subject?" he said easily. "Miss Bathurst will vote us all a party of bores, and with reason. Whatwere we talking about before? Iced cake, wasn't it? Are you a cook MissBathurst?"

"I can make some kinds of cakes, " Dinah said modestly, "but I like makingpastry best. I often make sausage-rolls for Dad to take hunting. "

"That sounds more amusing for him than for you, " observed Eustace. 

"Oh no, I love making them, " she assured him. "And he always says helikes mine better than anyone's. But I'm not a particularly good cookreally. Mother generally does that part, and I do all the rest. "

"All?" said Isabel. 

"Yes. You see, we can't afford to keep a servant, " said Dinah. "And Igroom Rupert--that's the hunter--too, when Billy isn't at home. I likedoing that. He's such a beauty. "

"Do you ever ride him?" asked Eustace. 

She shook her head. "No. I'd love to, of course, but there's never anytime. I can't spend as long as I like over grooming him because there areso many other things. But he generally looks very nice, " she spoke withpride; "quite as nice as any of the de Vignes's horses. "

"You must have a very busy time of it, " said Scott. 

"Yes. " Dinah's bright face clouded a little. "I often wish I had moretime for other things; but it's no good wishing. Anyway, I've had my timeout here, and I shall never forget it. "

"You must come out again with us, " said Isabel. 

Dinah beamed. "Oh, how I should love it!" she said. "But--" her face fellagain--"I don't believe mother will ever spare me a second time. "

"All right. I'll run away with you in the yacht, " said Eustace. "Come fora trip in the summer!"

She looked at him with shining eyes. "It's not a bit of good thinkingabout it, " she said. "But oh, how lovely it would be!"

He laughed, looking at her with that gleam in his eyes that she had cometo know as exclusively her own. "Where there's a will, there's a way, " hesaid. "If you have the will, you can leave the way to me. "

She drew a quick breath. Her heart was beating rather fast. "All right, "she said. "I'll come. "

"Is it a promise?" said Eustace. 

She shook her head instantly. "No. I never make promises. They have a wayof spoiling things so. "

"Exactly my own idea, " he said. "Never turn a pleasure into a duty, or itbecomes a burden at once. Well, I must go and make myself pretty for thisevening's show. If I'm very bored, I shall come and sit out with you. "

"Not to-night, " said Isabel with quick decision. "Dinah is going to bedvery soon. "

"Really?" He stood by Dinah's couch, looking down at her with his faintsupercilious smile. "Do you submit to that sort of tyranny?" he said. 

She held up her hand to him. "It isn't tyranny. It is the very dearestkindness in the world. Don't you know the difference?"

He held the little, confiding hand a moment or two, and she felt hisfingers close around it with a strength that seemed as if it encompassedher very soul. "There are two ways of looking at everything, " he said. "But I shouldn't be too docile if I were you; not, that is, if you wantto get any fun out of life. Remember, life is short. "

He let her go with the words, straightened himself to his full, splendidheight, and sauntered with regal arrogance to the door. 

"I want you, Stumpy, " he said, in passing. "There are one or two lettersfor you to deal with. You can come to my room while I dress. "

"In that case, I had better say good night too, " said Scott, rising. 

"Oh no, " said Dinah, with her quick smile. "You can come in and say goodnight to me afterwards--when I'm in bed. Can't he, Isabel?"

She had fallen into the habit of calling Isabel by her Christian namefrom hearing Scott use it. It had begun almost in delirium, and now itcame so naturally that she never dreamed of reverting to the more formalmode of address. 

Scott smiled in his quiet fashion, and turned to join his brother. "Iwill with pleasure, " he said. 

Eustace threw a mocking glance backwards. "It seems that philosophersrush in where mere ordinary males fear to tread, " he observed. "Stumpy, allow me to congratulate you on your privileges!"

"Thanks, old chap!" Scott made answer in his tired voice. "But there isno occasion for the ordinary male to envy me my compensations. "

"What did he mean by that?" said Dinah, as the door closed. 

Isabel moved to her side and sat down on the edge of the couch. "Scott isvery lonely, little one, " she said. 

"Is he?" said Dinah, wonderingly. "But--surely he must have lots offriends. He's such a dear. "

Isabel smiled at her rather sadly. "Yes, everyone who knows him thinksthat. "

"Everyone must love him, " protested Dinah. "Who could help it?"

"I wonder, " said Isabel slowly, "if he will ever meet anyone who willlove him best of all. "

Dinah was suddenly conscious of a rush of blood to her face. She knew notwherefore, but she felt it beat in her temples and sing in her ears. "Oh, surely--surely!" she stammered in confusion. 

Isabel looked beyond her. "You know, Dinah, " she said, her voice verylow, "Scott is a man with an almost infinite greatness of soul. I don'tknow if you realize it. I have thought sometimes that you did. But thereare very few--very few--who do. "

"I know he is great, " whispered Dinah. "I told him so almost--almost thefirst time I saw him. "

Isabel's smile was very tender. She stooped and gathered Dinah to herbosom. "Oh, my dear, " she murmured, "never prefer the tinsel to the truegold! He is far, far the greatest man I know. And you--you will nevermeet a greater. "

Dinah clung to her in quick responsiveness. Her strange agitation wassubsiding, but she could feel the blood yet pulsing in her veins. "I knowit, " she whispered. "I am sure of it. He is very much to you, dear, isn'the?"

"For years he has been my all, " Isabel said. "Listen a moment! I willtell you something. In the first dreadful days of my illness, I was crazywith trouble, and--and they bound me to keep me from violence. I havenever forgotten it. I never shall. Then--he came. He was very young atthat time, only twenty-three. He had his life before him, and mine--minewas practically over. Yet he gave up everything--everything for my sake. He took command; he banished all the horrible people who had takenpossession of me. He gave me freedom, and he set himself to safe-guardme. He brought me home. He was with me night and day, or if not actuallywith me, within call. He and Biddy between them brought me back. Theywatched me, nursed me, cared for me. Whenever my trouble was greater thanI could bear, he was always there to help me. He never left me; andgradually he became so necessary to me that I couldn't contemplate lifewithout him. I have been terribly selfish. " A low sob checked herutterance for a moment, and Dinah's young arms tightened. "I let my grieftake hold of me to the exclusion of everything else. I didn't see--Ididn't realize--the sacrifice he was making. For years I took it all as aright, living in my fog of misery and blind to all beside. But now--nowat last--thanks to you, little one, whom I nearly killed--my eyes areopen once more. The fog has rolled away. No, I can never be happy. I amof those who wait. But I will never again, God helping me, deprive othersof happiness. Scott shall live his own life now. His devotion to me mustcome to an end. My greatest wish in life now is that he may meet a womanworthy of him, who will love him as he deserves to be loved, before Iclimb the peaks of Paradise and find my beloved in the dawning. " Isabel'svoice sank. She pressed Dinah close against her heart. "It will not belong, " she whispered. "I have had a message that there is no mistaking, Iknow it will not be long. But oh, darling, I do want to see him happyfirst. "

Dinah was crying softly. She could find no words to utter. 

So for awhile they clung together, the woman who had suffered and come atlast through bitter tribulation into peace, and the child whose feet yethalted on the threshold of the enchanted country that the other had longsince traversed and left behind. 

Nothing further passed between them. Isabel had said her say, and forsome reason Dinah was powerless to speak. She could think of no words toutter, and deep in her heart she was half afraid to break the silence. That sudden agitation of hers had left her oddly confused andembarrassed. She shrank from pursuing the matter further. 

Yet for a long time that night she lay awake pondering, wondering. Certainly Scott was different from all other men, totally, undeniablydifferent. He seemed to dwell on a different plane. She could not graspwhat it was about him that set him thus apart. But what Isabel had saidshowed her very clearly that the spirit that dwelt behind that unimposingexterior was a force that counted, and could hold its own against odds. 

She slept at last with the thought of him still present in her mind. Andin her dreams the vision of Greatheart in his shining armour came to heragain, filling her with a happiness which even sleeping she did not dareto analyse, scarcely to contemplate. 

CHAPTER XXVI

THE CALL OF APOLLO

Dinah's strength came back to her in leaps and bounds, and three weeksafter the de Vignes's departure she was almost herself again. The seasonwas drawing to a close. The holidays were over, and English people wereturning homeward. Very reluctantly Isabel had to admit that her chargewas well enough for the journey back. Mrs. Bathurst wrote in an insistentstrain, urging that the time had come for her to return, and no furtherexcuse could be invented for keeping her longer. 

They decided to return themselves and take Dinah to her home, Isabelhaving determined to make the acquaintance of the redoubtable Mrs. Bathurst, and persuade her to spare her darling to them again in thesummer. The coming parting was hard to face, so hard that Dinah could notbear to speak of it. She shed a good many tears in private, as Isabel waswell aware; but she never willingly made any reference to the ordeal sheso dreaded. 

The only time she voluntarily broached the subject was when she entreatedto be allowed to go down to the last dance that was to be held in thehotel. It chanced that this was fixed for the night before their owndeparture, and Isabel demurred somewhat; for though Dinah had shakenoff most of her invalid habits, she was still far from robust. 

"You will be so tired in the morning, darling, " she protested gently, while Dinah knelt beside her, earnestly pleading. "You will get thattiresome side-ache, and you won't be fit to travel. "

"I shall--I shall, " Dinah assured her. "Oh, please, dear, just thisonce--just this once--let me have this one more fling! I shall never haveanother chance. I'm sure I never shall. "

Isabel's hand stroked the soft dark hair caressingly. She saw that Dinahwas very near to tears. "I don't believe I ought to say Yes, dear child, "she said. "You know I hate to deny you anything. But if it were to do youharm, I should never forgive myself. "

"It couldn't! It shan't!" declared Dinah, almost incoherent in hervehemence. "It isn't as if I wanted to dance every dance. I'd come andsit out with you in between. And if I got tired, you could take me away. I would go directly if you said so. Really I would. "

She was hard to resist, kneeling there with her arms about Isabel and herbright eyes lifted. Isabel took the sweet face between her hands andkissed it. 

"Let me ask Scott what he thinks!" she said. "I want to give in to you, Dinah darling, but it's against my judgment. If it is against hisjudgment too, will you be content to give it up?"

"Oh, of course, " said Dinah instantly. She was confident that Scott--thatkind and gentle friend of hers--would deny her nothing. It seemed almostsuperfluous to ask him. 

The words had scarcely left her lips when his quiet knock came at thesitting-room door, and he entered. 

She looked round at him with a smile of quick welcome. "I'll give it upin a minute if he says so, " she said. 

Isabel turned in her chair. "Come here, Stumpy!" she said. "We want youradvice. We are talking about the dance to-night. Dinah has set her hearton going. Would it--do you think it would--do her any harm?"

Scott came up to them in his halting way. He looked at Dinah pressedclose to his sister's side, and his smile was very kindly as he said, "Poor little Cinderella! It's hard lines; but, you know, the doctor'slast words to you were a warning against over-exerting yourself. "

"But I shouldn't, " she assured him eagerly. "Really, truly, I shouldn't!I walked all the way to the village with you yesterday, and wasn't a bittired--or hardly a bit--when I got back. "

"You looked jaded to death, " he said. 

"I am afraid it is thumbs down, " said Isabel, a touch of regret in hervoice. 

"Oh no, --no!" entreated Dinah. "Mr. Studley, please--please say I may go!I promise I won't dance too much. I promise I'll stop directly I'mtired. "

"My dear child, " Scott said, "it would be sheer madness for you toattempt to dance at all. Isabel, " he turned to his sister with mostunusual sharpness, "how can you tantalize her in this way? Say No atonce! You know perfectly well she isn't fit for it. "

Isabel made no attempt to argue the point. "You hear, Dinah?" she said. 

A quick throb of anger went through Dinah. She disengaged herselfquickly, and stood up. "Mr. Studley, " she said in a voice that quivered, "it's not right--it's not fair! How can you know what is good for me? Andeven if you did, what--what right--" She broke off, trembling and holdingto Isabel's chair to steady herself. 

Scott's eyes, very level, very kind, were looking straight at her in afashion that checked the hot words on her lips. "My child, no rightwhatever, " he said. "I have no more power to control your actions thanthe man in the moon. But if you want my approval to your scheme, I can'tgive it you. I don't approve, and because I don't, I tell Isabel that sheought to refuse to carry it through. I have no right to control hereither, but I think my opinion means something to her. I hope it does atleast. "

He looked at Isabel, but she said nothing. Only she put her arm aboutDinah as she stood. 

There followed a few moments of very difficult silence; then abruptly themutiny went out of Dinah's face and attitude. 

"I'm horrid, " she said, in a voice half-choked. "Forgive me! You--youshouldn't spoil me so. "

"Oh, don't, please!" said Scott. "I am infernally sorry. I know what itmeans to you. "

He took out his cigarette-case and turned away with a touch ofembarrassment. She saw that for some reason he was moved. 

Impulsively she left Isabel and came to him. "Don't think any more aboutit!" she said. "I'll go to bed and be good. "

"You always are, " said Scott, faintly smiling. 

"No, no, I'm not! What a fib! You know I'm not. But I'm going to be goodthis time--so that you shall have something nice to remember me by. "Dinah's voice quivered still, but she managed to smile. 

He gave her a quick look. "You will always be the pleasantest memory Ihave, " he said. 

The words were quietly spoken, so quietly that they sounded almostmatter-of-fact. But Dinah flushed with pleasure, detecting the sincerityin his voice. 

"It's very nice of you to say that, " she said, "especially as I deserveit so little. Thank you, Mr. --Scott!" She uttered the name timidly. Shehad never ventured to use it before. 

He held out his hand to her. "Oh, drop the prefix!" he said. "Call meStumpy like the rest of the world!"

But Dinah shook her head with vehemence. There were tears standing in hereyes, but she smiled through them. "I will not call you Stumpy!" shedeclared. "It doesn't suit you a bit. I never even think of you by thatname. It--it is perfectly ludicrous applied to you!"

"Some people think I am ludicrous, " observed Scott. 

His hand grasped hers firmly for a moment, and let it go. The steadfastfriendliness in his eyes shone out like a beacon. And there came to Dinaha swift sense of great and uplifting pride at the thought that shenumbered this man among her friends. 

The moment passed, but the warmth at her heart remained. She went back toIsabel, and slipped down into the shelter of her arm, feeling oddly shyand also inexplicably happy. Her disappointment had shrunk to anegligible quantity. She even wondered at herself for having cared sogreatly about so trifling a matter. 

There came the firm tread of a man's feet outside the door, and it swungopen. Eustace entered with his air of high confidence. 

"Ah, Stumpy, there you are! I want you. Well, Miss Bathurst, what aboutto-night?"

She faced him bravely from Isabel's side. "I've promised to go to bedearly, as usual, " she said. 

"What? You're not dancing?" She saw his ready frown. "Well, you will comeand look on anyway. Isabel, you must show for once. "

He spoke imperiously. Isabel looked up. "I am sorry, Eustace. It is outof the question, " she said coldly. "Both Dinah and I are retiring earlyin preparation for to-morrow. "

He bit his lip. "This is too bad. Miss Bathurst, don't you want to comedown? It's for the last time. "

Dinah hesitated, and Scott came quietly to her rescue. 

"She is being prudent against her own inclination, old chap. Don't makeit hard for her!"

"What a confounded shame!" said Eustace. 

"No, no, it isn't!" said Dinah. "It is quite right. I am not going tothink any more about it. "

He laughed with a touch of mockery. "Which means you will probably thinkabout it all night. Well, you will have the reward of virtue anyhow, which ought to be very satisfying. Come along, Stumpy! I want you tocatch the post. "

He bore his brother off with him, and Dinah went rather wistfully to helpBiddy pack. She had done right, she knew; but it was difficult to stiflethe regret in her heart. She had so longed for that one last dance, andit seemed to her that she had treated Sir Eustace somewhat shabbily also. She was sure that he was displeased, and the thought of it troubled her. For she had almost promised him that last dance. 

"Arrah thin, Miss Dinah dear, don't ye look so sad at all!" counselledBiddy. "Good times pass, but there's always good times to come whileye're young. And it's the bonny face ye've got on ye. Sure, there'll be afine wedding one of these days. There's a prince looking for ye, or mename's not Biddy Maloney. "

Dinah tried to smile, but her heart was heavy. She could not shareBiddy's cheery belief in the good times to come, and she was quite surethat no prince would ever come her way. 

Sir Eustace--that king among men--might think of her sometimes, but notseriously, oh no, not seriously. He had so many other interests. It wasonly her dancing that drew him, and he would never have anotheropportunity of enjoying that. 

She rested in the afternoon at Isabel's desire, but she did not sleep. Some teasing sprite had set a waltz refrain running in her brain, and ithaunted her perpetually. She went down to the vestibule with Isabel fortea, and here Scott joined them; but Sir Eustace did not put in anappearance. In their company she sought to be cheerful, and in a measuresucceeded; but the thought of the morrow pressed upon her. In anotherbrief twenty-four hours this place where she had first known the wonderand the glory of life would know her no more. In two days she would beback in the old bondage, chained once more to the oar, with the dread ofher mother ever present in her heart, however fair the world might be. 

She could keep her depression more or less at bay in the presence of herfriends, but when later she went to her room to prepare for dinnersomething like desperation seized her. How was she going to bear it? Onelast wild fling would have helped her, but this inaction made thingsinfinitely worse, made things intolerable. 

While she dressed, she waged a fierce struggle against her tears. Sheknew that Isabel would be greatly distressed should she detect them, andto hurt Isabel seemed to her the acme of selfish cruelty. She would notgive way! She would not!

And then--suddenly she heard a step in the corridor, and her heart leapt. Well she knew that careless, confident tread! But what was he doingthere? Why had he come to her door?

With bated breath she stood and listened. Yes, he had paused. In a momentshe heard a rustle on the floor. A screw of paper appeared under the dooras though blown in by a wandering wind. Then the careless feet retreatedagain, and she thought she heard him whistling below his breath. 

Eagerly she swooped forward and snatched up the note. Her hands shook sothat she could scarcely open it. Trembling, she stood under the light toread it. 

It was headed in a bold hand: "To Daphne. " And below in much smallerwriting she read: "Come to the top of the stairs when the band plays_Simple Aveu_, and leave the rest to me. 

"APOLLO. "

A wild thrill went through her. But could she? Dared she? Had she notpractically promised Isabel that she would go to bed?

Yet how could she go, and leave this direct invitation, which was almosta command, unanswered? And it was only one dance--only one dance! Wouldit be so very wrong to snatch just that one?

The thought of Scott came to her and the look of sincerity in his eyeswhen he had told her that she would always be the pleasantest memory hehad. But she thrust it from her almost fiercely. Ah no, no, no! She couldnot let him deprive her thus of this one last gaiety. Apollo had calledher. It only remained for her to obey. 

She dressed in a fever of excitement, and hid the note--that preciousnote--in her bosom. She would meet him at dinner, and he would look foran answer. How should she convey it? And oh, what answer should she give?

Looking back afterwards, it seemed to her that Fate had pressed her hardthat night, --so hard that resistance was impossible. When she was dressedin the almost childishly simple muslin she looked herself in the eyes andfancied that there was something in her face that she had never seenthere before. It was something that pleased her immensely giving her astrangely new self-confidence. She did not wot that it was the charm ofher coming womanhood that had burst into sudden flower. 

At the last moment she cast all her scruples away from her, and snatchedup a slip of paper. 

"I will be there. Daphne, " were the words she wrote, and though herconscience smote her as she did it, she stifled it fiercely. Had she notpromised him that one dance long ago?

She met him at dinner with a face of smiling unconcern. The new forcewithin had imbued her with a wondrous strength. She exulted in thethought of her power over him, transient though she knew it to be. Deepdown in her heart she was afraid, yet was she wildly daring. It was herlast night, and she was utterly reckless. 

She left her note in his hand with the utmost coolness when she bade himgood night in the vestibule. She bade good night to Scott also, but shemet his eyes for no more than a second; and then she had to stifle afreshthe sharp pang at her heart. 

She went away up the stairs with Isabel, leaving them smoking over theircoffee, leaving also the dreamy strains of the band, the gay laughter andmovement of the happy crowd that drifted towards the ballroom. 

Isabel accompanied her to her room. "You are a dear, good child, " shesaid tenderly, as she held her for a last kiss. "I shall never forget howsweetly you gave up the thing you wanted so much. "

Dinah clung to her fast for a moment or two, and her hold was passionate. "Oh, don't praise me for that!" she whispered into Isabel's neck. "I amnot good at all. I am very bad. "

She almost tore herself free a second later, and Isabel, divining thatany further demonstration from her would cause a breakdown, bade her aloving good night and went away. 

Dinah stood awhile struggling for self-control. She had been perilouslynear to baring her soul to Isabel in those moments of tenderness. Evennow the impulse urged her to run after her and tell her of the temptationto which she was yielding. She forced it down with clenched hands, telling herself over and over that it was her last chance, her lastchance, and she must not lose it. And so at length it passed; and with itpassed also the pricks of conscience that had so troubled her. Sheemerged from the brief struggle with a sense of mad triumph. The spiritof adventure had entered into her, and she no longer paused to count thecost. 

"I expect I shall be sorry in the morning, " she said to herself. "Butto-night--oh, to-night--nothing matters except Apollo!"

She whisked to the door and set it ajar. The dance-music drew her, drewher, like the voice of a siren. For that one night she would live again. She would feel his arm about her and the magic in her brain. Already herfeet yearned to the alluring rhythm. She leaned against the door-post, and gave herself up to her dream. Yet once more the wine of the gods washeld to her lips. She would drink deeply, deeply. 

CHAPTER XXVII

THE GOLDEN MAZE

Softly the strains of _Simple Aveu_ floated along the corridor. It camelike fairy music, now near, now far, haunting as a dream, woven throughand through with the gold of Romance. 

Someone was coming along the passage with the easy swing of the borndancer, and pressed against her door-post in the shadows, another borndancer awaited him with a wildly throbbing heart. 

The die was cast, and there was no going back. She heard the deep voicehumming the magic melody as he came. In a moment the superb figure cameinto sight, moving with that royal ease of carriage so characteristic andso wonderful. 

He drew near. He spied the small white figure lurking in the dimness. With a low laugh he opened his arms to her. 

And then there came to Dinah, not for the first time, a strange, whollyindefinable misgiving. It was a warning so insistent that she suddenlyand swiftly drew back, as if she would flee into the room behind her. 

But he was too quick for her. He caught her on the threshold. "Oh no, no!" he laughed. "That's not playing the game. " He drew her to him, holding her two wrists. "Daphne! Daphne!" he said. "Still running away?Do you call that fair?"

She did not resist him, for the moment she felt his touch she knewherself a captive. The magic force of his personality had caught her; butshe did not give herself wholly to him. She stood and palpitated in hishold, her head bent low. 

"I--I'm not running away, " she told him breathlessly. "I was just--justcoming. But--but--shan't we be seen? Your brother--"

"What?" He was stooping over her; she felt his breath upon her neck. "Oh, Scott! Surely you're not afraid of Scott, are you? You needn't be. I'vesent him off to write some letters. He'll be occupied for an hour atleast. Come! Come! You promised. And we're wasting time. "

There was a subtle caressing note in his voice. It thrilled her as shestood, and ever the soft music drifted on around them, pulsing with asweetness almost too intense to be borne. 

He held her with the hold of a conqueror. She was quivering from head tofoot, but all desire to free herself was gone. Still she would not raiseher face. 

Panting, she spoke. "Yes, we--we are wasting time. Let us go!"

He laughed above her head--a low laugh of absolute assurance. "Are youtoo shy to look at me, --Daphne?"

She laughed also very tremulously. "I think I am--just at present. Let usdance first anyway! Must we go down to the salon? Couldn't we dance inthe corridor?"

His arm was round her. He led her down the passage. "No, no! We will godown. And afterwards--"

"Afterwards, " she broke in breathlessly, "we will just peep at themoonlight on the mountains, and then I must come back. "

"I will show you something better than the moonlight on the mountains, "said Sir Eustace. 

She did not ask him what he meant, though her whole being was strung to atense expectancy. He had brought her once more to the heights of Olympus, and each moment was full of a vivid life that had to be lived to theutmost. She lacked the strength to look forward; the present was toooverwhelming. It was almost more than she could bear. 

They reached the head of the stairs. His arm tightened about her. Shedescended as though upon wings. Passing through the vestibule, her feetdid not seem to touch the ground. And then like a golden maze theballroom received them. 

Before she knew it, they were among the dancers and the magic of herdream had merged into reality. She closed her eyes, for the glare oflight and moving figures dazzled her, and gave herself up to the raptureof that one splendid dance. Her heart was beating wildly, as though itwould choke her. A curious thirst that yet was part of her delight madeher throat burn. A weakness that exulted in the man's supporting strengthheld her bound and entranced by such an ecstasy as she had never knownbefore. She laughed, a gurgling laugh through panting lips. She wonderedwhether he realized that she was floating through the air, held up by hisarm alone above the glitter and the turmoil all around them. She wonderedtoo how soon they would find their way to the heart of that golden maze, and what nameless treasure awaited them there. For that treasure was forthem, and them alone, she never doubted. It was the gift of the gods, bestowed upon no others in all that merry crowd. 

The magic deepened and grew within her. She felt that the climax wasdrawing near. He would not dance to a finish, she knew, and already themusic was quickening. She was too giddy, too spent had she but known it, to open her eyes. Only by instinct did she know that he was bearing her, sure and swift as a swallow, to the curtained recess whither he had ledher twice before. This, she told herself, this was the heart of the maze. All things began and ended here. Her lips quivered and tingled. She wouldnever escape him now. He had her firmly in the net. Nor did she seriouslywant to escape. Only she felt desperately afraid of him. His strength, his determination, above all, his silence, sent tumultuous fear throbbingthrough her heart. And when at length the pause came, when she knew thatthey were alone in the gloom with the music dying away behind them, alast wild dread that was almost anguish made her hide her face deep, deepin his arm while her body hung powerless in his embrace. 

He laughed a little--a laugh that thrilled her with its exultation, itspassion. And then, whether she would or not, he turned her face upwardsto meet his own. 

His kisses descended upon her hotly, suffocatingly. He held her pressedto him in such a grip as seemed to drive all the breath out of herquivering frame. His lips were like a fierce flame on face and neck--aflame that grew in intensity, possessing her, consuming her. The masteryof his hold was utterly irresistible. 

She gasped and gasped for breath as one suddenly plunged in deep waters. His violence appalled her, well-nigh quenching her rapture. She was moreterrified in those moments than she had ever been before. She almost feltas if the godlike being she had so humbly adored from afar had turnedupon her with the demand for human sacrifice. Those devouring kisses sentunimagined apprehensions through her heart. They seemed to satisfy him solittle while they sapped from her every atom of vitality, leaving herhelpless as an infant, her body drawn to his as a needle to the magnet, not of her own volition, but simply by his strength. And ever the fire ofhis passion grew hotter till she felt as one bound on the edge of amighty furnace which scorched her mercilessly from head to foot. 

She was near to fainting when she felt his arms relax, and suddenly aboveher upturned face she heard his voice, low and deep, like the growl of anangry beast. 

"What have you come here for? Go! You're not wanted. "

In a flash she realized that they were no longer alone. She would havedisengaged herself, but she was too weak to stand. She could only clingfeebly to the supporting arm. 

In that moment a great wave of humiliation burst over her, sweeping awayher last foothold. For without turning she knew who it was who stoodbehind her; she knew to whom those furious words had been addressed. 

Before her inner sight with overwhelming vividness there arose avision--the vision of Greatheart in his shining armour with a drawn swordin his hand; and in his eyes--But no, she could not look into his eyes. 

She hid her face instead, burning and quivering still from the touch ofthose passionate lips, hid it low against her lover's breast, too shamedeven for speech. 

There came a movement, the halting movement of a lame man, and she heardScott's voice. It pierced her intolerably, perfectly gentle though itwas. 

"I am sorry to intrude, " he said. "But Isabel begged me to come and lookfor--Dinah. " His pause before the name was scarcely perceptible, but thatalso pierced her through and through. "I don't think she is quite equalto this. "

Sir Eustace uttered his faint, contemptuous laugh. "You hear, Dinah?" hesaid. "This gallant knight has come to your rescue. Look up and tell himif you want to be rescued!"

But she could not look up. She could, only cling to him in voicelessabasement. There was a brief silence, and then she felt his hand upon herhead. He spoke again, the sneering note gone from his voice though itstill held a faint inflection of sardonic humour. 

"You needn't be anxious, most worthy Scott. Leave her to me for fiveminutes, and I will undertake to return her to Isabel in good condition!You're not wanted for the moment, man. Can't you see it?"

That moved Dinah. She lifted her head from its shelter, and found hervoice. 

"Oh, don't send him away:" she entreated. "He--he--it was very kind ofhim to come and look for me. "

Eustace's hand caressed her dark hair for a moment. His eyes looked down, into hers, and she saw that the glowing embers of his passion stillsmouldered there. 

She caught her breath with a sob. "Tell him--not to go away!" she begged. 

He smiled a little, but electricity lingered in the pressure of his arm. "I think it is time we broke up the meeting, " he said. "You had betterrun back to Isabel. If you wish to keep this episode a secret, Scott is, I believe, gentleman enough to hold his peace. "

She was free, and very slowly she released herself. She turned round toScott, but still she could not--dared not--meet his eyes. 

Her limbs were trembling painfully. She felt weak and dizzy. Suddenly shebecame aware of his hand held out to her, proffering silent assistance. 

Thankfully she accepted it, feeling it close firmly, reassuringly, uponher own. "Shall we go upstairs?" he asked, in his quiet, matter-of-factway. "Isabel is a little anxious about you. "

"Oh yes, " she whispered tremulously. "Let us go!"

She tottered a little with the words, and he transferred his hold to herelbow. He supported her steadily and sustainingly. 

Eustace stepped forward, and lifted the heavy curtain for them with amask-like ceremony. She glanced up at him as she went through. 

"Good night!" he said. 

Her lips quivered in response. 

He suddenly bent to her. "Good night!" he said again. 

There was imperious insistence in his voice. His eyes compelled. 

Mutely she responded to the mastery that would not be denied. She liftedher trembling lips to his; and deliberately--in Scott's presence--hekissed her. 

"Sleep well!" he said lightly. 

She returned his kiss, because she could not do otherwise. She felt as ifhe had so merged her will into his that she was deprived of all power toresist. 

But the hand that held her arm urged her with quiet strength. It led herunfalteringly away. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE LESSON

Ten minutes later Scott descended the stairs alone and returned to thesalon. 

A dance was in progress. He stood for a space in the doorway, watching. Finally, having satisfied himself that his brother was not among thedancers, he turned away. 

With his usual quietness of demeanour, he crossed the vestibule, andlooked into the smoking-room. Sir Eustace was not there either, and hewas closing the door again when the man himself came up the passagebehind him, and clapped a careless hand on his shoulder. 

"Are you looking for me, most doughty knight?" he asked. 

Scott turned so sharply that the hand fell. "Yes, I am looking for you, "he said, and his voice was unusually curt. "Come outside a minute, willyou? I want to speak to you. "

"I am not going outside, " Sir Eustace said, with exasperating coolness. "If you want to talk, you can come in here and smoke with me. "

"I must be alone with you, " Scott said briefly. "There are two or threemen in there. "

His brother gave him a look of amused curiosity. "Do you want to dosomething violent then? There's plenty of room for a quiet talk in therewithout disturbing or being disturbed by anyone. "

But Scott stood his ground. "I must see you alone for a minute, " he saidstubbornly. "You can come to my room, or I will come to yours, --whicheveryou like. "

Sir Eustace shrugged his shoulders. "You are damned persistent. I don'tknow that I am specially anxious to hear what you have to say. In anycase it can keep till the morning. I can't be bothered now. "

Scott's hand grasped his arm. A queer gleam shone in his pale eyes. "Man, " he said, "I think you had better hear me now. "

Eustace looked down at him, half-sneering, half-impressed. "What a muleyou are, Stumpy! Come along then if you must! But you had better mind howyou go. I'm in no mood for trifling. "

"Nor I, " said Scott, with very unaccustomed bitterness. 

He kept his hand upon his brother's arm as they turned. He leanedslightly upon him as they ascended the stairs. Eustace's room was thefirst they reached, and they turned into that. 

Scott was very pale, but there was no lack of resolution about him as heclosed the door and faced the elder man. 

"Well, what is it?" Eustace demanded. 

"Just this. " Very steadily Scott made answer. "I want to know how farthis matter has gone between you and Miss Bathurst. I want to know--whatyou are going to do. "

"My intentions, eh?" Eustace's sneer became very pronounced as he put thequestion. He pulled forward a chair and sat down with an arrogant air asthough to bring himself thus to Scott's level. 

Scott's eyes gleamed again momentarily at the action, but he stood like arock. "Yes, your intentions, " he said briefly. 

Sir Eustace's black brows went up, he looked him up and down. "Can yougive me any reason at all why I should hold myself answerable to you?" heasked. 

Scott's hands clenched as he stood. "I can, " he said. "I regard MissBathurst as very peculiarly our charge--under our protection. We are bothin a great measure responsible for her, though possibly--" he hesitatedslightly--"my responsibility is greater than yours, in so far as I takeit more seriously. I do not think that either of us is in a position tomake love to her under existing circumstances. But that, I admit, ismerely a matter of opinion. Most emphatically neither of us has the rightto trifle with her. I want to know--and I must know--are you triflingwith her, as you have trifled with Miss de Vigne for the past fortnight?Or are you in earnest? Which?"

He spoke sternly, as one delivering an ultimatum. His eyes, steel-brightand unwavering, were fixed upon his brother's face. 

Sir Eustace made a sharp gesture, as of one who flings off some stinginginsect. "It is not particularly good form on your part to bring anotherlady's name into the discussion, " he said. "At least you have noresponsibilities so far as Miss de Vigne is concerned. "

"I admit that, " Scott answered shortly. "Moreover, she is fully capableof taking care of herself. But Miss Bathurst is not. She is a mere childin many ways, but she takes things hard. If you are merely amusingyourself at her expense--" He stopped. 

"Well?" Sir Eustace threw the question with sudden anger. His great, lounging figure stiffened. A blue flame shot up in his eyes. 

Scott stood silent for a moment or two; then with a great effort heunclenched his hands and came forward. "I am not going to believe that ofyou unless you tell me it is so, " he said. 

Sir Eustace reached out an unexpected hand without rising, and took himby the shoulder. "You may be small of stature, Stumpy, " he said, "butyou're the biggest fool I know. You're making mountains out of molehills, and you'll get yourself into trouble if you're not careful. "

Scott looked at him. "Do you imagine I'm afraid of you, I wonder?" hesaid, a faint tremor of irony in his quiet voice. 

Sir Eustace's hold tightened. His mouth was hard. "I imagine that I couldmake things highly unpleasant for you if you provoked me too far, " hesaid. "And let me warn you, you have gone quite far enough in a matter inwhich you have no concern whatever. I never have stood any interferencefrom you and I never will. Let that be understood--once for all!"

He met Scott's look with eyes of smouldering wrath. There was more thanwarning in his hold; it conveyed menace. 

Yet Scott, very pale, supremely dignified, made no motion to retreat. "You have not answered me yet, " he said. "I must have an answer. "

Sir Eustace's brows met in a thick and threatening line. "You will havevery much more than you bargain for if you persist, " he said. 

"Meaning that I am to draw my own conclusions?" Scott asked, unmoved. 

The smouldering fire suddenly blazed into flame. He pulled Scott to himwith the movement of a giant, and bent him irresistibly downwards. "Iwill show you what I mean, " he said. 

Scott made a swift, instinctive effort to free himself, but the nextinstant he was passive. Only as the relentless hands forced him lower hespoke, his voice quick and breathless. 

"You can hammer me to your heart's content, but you'll get nothing out ofit. That sort of thing simply doesn't count--with me. "

Sir Eustace held him in a vice-like grip. "Are you going to take it lyingdown then?" he questioned grimly. 

"I'm not going to fight you certainly. " Scott's voice had a faint quiverof humour in it, as though he jested at his own expense. "Not--thatis--in a physical sense. If you choose to resort to brute force, that'syour affair. And I fancy you'll be sorry afterwards. But it will make noactual difference to me. " He broke off, breathing short and hard, like aman who struggles against odds yet with no thought of yielding. 

Sir Eustace held him a few seconds as if irresolute, then abruptly lethim go. "I believe you're right, " he said. "You wouldn't care a damn. Butyou're a fool to bait me all the same. Now clear out, and leave me alonefor the future!"

"I haven't done with you yet, " Scott said. He straightened himself, andreturned indomitably to the attack. "I asked you a question, and--sofar--you haven't answered it. Are you ashamed to answer it?"

Sir Eustace got up with a movement of exasperation, but very oddly hisanger had died down. "Oh, confound you, Stumpy! You're worse than a swarmof mosquitoes!" he said. "I dispute your right to ask that question. Itis no affair of yours. "

"I maintain that it is, " Scott said quietly. "It matters to me--perhapsmore than you realize--whether you behave honourably or otherwise. "

"Honourably!" His brother caught him up sharply. "You're on dangerousground, I warn you, " he said. "I won't stand that from you or any man. "

"I've no intention of insulting you, " Scott answered. "But I must knowthe truth. Are you hoping to marry Miss Bathurst, or are you not?"

Sir Eustace drew himself up with a haughty gesture. "The time has notcome to talk of that, " he said. 

"Not when you are deliberately making love to her?" Scott's voiceremained quiet, but the glitter was in his eyes again--a quivering, ominous gleam. 

"Oh, that! My dear fellow, you are disquieting yourself in vain. Sheknows as well as I do that that is a mere game. " Eustace spokescoffingly, looking over his brother's head, ignoring his attitude. "Iassure you she is not so green as you imagine, " he said. "It has beennothing but a game all through. "

"Nothing but a game!" Scott repeated the words slowly as if incredulous. "Do you actually mean that?"

Sir Eustace laughed and took out his cigarettes. "What do you take mefor, you old duffer? Think I should commit myself at this stage? An oldhand like me! Not likely!"

Scott stood up before him, white to the lips. "I take you for an infernalblackguard, if you want to know!" he said, speaking with greatdistinctness. "You may call yourself a man of honour. I call you ascoundrel!"

"What?" Eustace put back his cigarette-case with a smile that was oddlylike a snarl. "It looks to me as if you'll have to have that lesson afterall, " he said. "What's the matter with you now-a-days? Fallen in loveyourself? Is that it?"

He took Scott by the shoulders, not roughly, but with power. 

Scott's eyes met his like a sword in a master-hand. "The matter is, " hesaid, "that this precious game of yours has got to end. If you are notman enough to end it--I will. "

"Will you indeed?" Eustace shook him to and fro as he stood, but stillwithout violence. "And how?"

"I shall tell her, " Scott spoke without the smallest hesitation, "theexact truth. I shall tell her--and she will believe me--precisely whatyou are. "

"Damn you!" said Sir Eustace. 

With the words he shifted his grasp, took Scott by the collar, and swunghim round. 

"Then you may also tell her, " he said, his voice low and furious, "thatyou have had the kicking that a little yapping cur like you deserves. "

He kicked him with the words, kicked him thrice, and flung him brutallyaside. 

Scott went down, grabbing vainly at the bed to save himself. His face wasdeathly as he turned it, but he said nothing. He had said his say. 

Sir Eustace was white also, white and terrible, with eyes of flame. Hestood a moment, glaring down at him. Then, as though he could not trusthimself, wheeled and strode to the door. 

"And when you've done, " he said, "you can come to me for another, youbeastly little cad!"

He went, leaving the door wide behind him. His feet resounded along thepassage and died away. The distant waltz-music came softly in. And Scottpulled himself painfully up and sat on the end of the bed, pantingheavily. 

Minutes passed ere he moved. Then at last very slowly he got up. He hadrecovered his breath. His mouth was firm, his eyes resolute andindomitable, his whole bearing composed, as with that dignity that Dinahhad so often remarked in him he limped to the door and passed out, closing it quietly behind him. 

The dance-music was still floating through the passages with a mockingallurement. The tramp of feet and laughter of many voices rose with it. Aflicker of irony passed over his drawn face. He straightened his collarwith absolute steadiness, and moved away in the direction of his ownroom. 

CHAPTER XXIX

THE CAPTIVE

Isabel uttered no reproaches to her charge as, quivering with shame, shereturned from her escapade. She exchanged no more than a low "Goodnight!" with Scott, and then turned back into the room with Dinah. But asthe latter stood before her, crest-fallen and humiliated, expecting areprimand, she only laid very gentle hands upon her and began to unfastenher dress. 

"I wasn't spying upon you, dear child, " she said. "I only looked in tosee if you would care for a cup of milk last thing. "

That broke Dinah utterly and overwhelmingly. In her contrition, she castherself literally at Isabel's feet. "Oh, what a beast I am! What abeast!" she sobbed. "Will you ever forgive me? I shall never forgivemyself!"

Isabel was very tender with her, checking her wild outburst with lovingwords. She asked no question as to what had been happening, for whichforbearance Dinah's gratitude was great even though it served tointensify her remorse. With all a mother's loving care she soothed her, assuring her of complete forgiveness and understanding. 

"I did wild things in my own girlhood, " she said. "I know what it means, dear, when temptation comes. "

And so at last she calmed her agitation, and helped her to bed, waitingupon her with the utmost gentleness, saying no word of blame or even ofadmonition. 

Not till she had gone, did it dawn upon Dinah that this task had probablybeen left to Scott, and with the thought a great dread of the morrow cameupon her. Though he had betrayed no hint of displeasure, she feltconvinced that she had incurred it; and all her new-born shyness in hispresence, returned upon her a thousandfold. She did not know how shewould face him when the morning came. 

He would not be angry she knew. He would not scold her like Colonel deVigne. But yet she shrank from the thought of his disappointment in heras she had never before shrunk from the Colonel's rebuke. She was surethat she had forfeited his good opinion for ever, and many and bitterwere the tears that she shed over her loss. 

Her thoughts of Eustace were of too confused a nature to be put intocoherent form. The moment they turned in his direction her brain became aflashing whirl in which doubts, fears, and terrible ectasies ran wildriot. She lay and trembled at the memory of his strength, exulting almostin the same moment that he had stooped with such mastery to possess her. His magnificence dazzled her, deprived her of all powers of rationaljudgment. She only realized that she--and she alone--had been singled outof the crowd for that fiery worship; and it seemed to her that she hadbeen created for that one splendid purpose. 

But always the memory of Scott shot her triumph through with a regret sopoignant as to deprive it of all lasting rapture. She had hurt him, shehad disappointed him; she did not know how she would ever look him in theeyes again. 

Her sleep throughout that last night was broken and unrefreshing, andever the haunting strains of _Simple Aveu_ pulsed through her brain likea low voice calling her perpetually, refusing to be stilled. Only onenight more and she would be back in her home; this glittering, Alpinedream would be over, never to return. And again she turned on her pillowand wept. It was so hard, so hard, to go back. 

In the morning she arose white-faced and weary, with dark shadows underher eyes, and a head that throbbed tormentingly. She breakfasted withIsabel in the latter's room, and was again deeply grateful to her friendfor forbearing to comment upon her subdued manner. She could not make anypretence at cheerfulness that day, being in fact still so near to tearsthat she could scarcely keep from breaking down. 

"Don't wait for me, dear!" Isabel said gently at length. "I see you arenot hungry. We are taking some provisions with us; perhaps you will feelmore like eating presently. "

Dinah escaped very thankfully and returned to her own room. 

Here she remained for awhile till more sure of herself; then Biddy camein to finish her packing and she slipped away to avoid the old woman'sshrewd observation. She feared to go downstairs lest she should meetScott; but presently, as she hovered in the passage, she heard hishalting tread in the main corridor. 

He was evidently on his way to his sister's room, and seizing heropportunity, she ran like a hare in the opposite direction and managed toslip downstairs without adventure. 

She was not to escape unnoticed, however. The first person sheencountered in the vestibule came forward instantly at sight of her withthe promptitude of one who has been lying in wait. 

She recoiled with a gasp, but she could not run away. She was caught assurely as she had been the night before. 

"Hullo!" smiled Sir Eustace, with extended hand. "Going out for a lastlook round? May I come too?"

She felt the dominance of his grip. It was coolly, imperially possessive. To answer his request seemed superfluous, even bordering uponpresumption. It was obvious that he had every intention of accompanyingher. 

She gave a confused murmur of assent, and they passed through thevestibule side by side. She was conscious of curious glances from severalstrangers who were standing about, and Eustace exchanged a few words witha species of regal condescension here and there as they went. And thenthey were out in the pure sunlight of the mountains, alone for the lasttime in their paradise of snow. 

Almost instinctively Dinah turned up the winding track. They had half anhour before them, and she felt she could not bear to stand still. Hestrolled beside her, idly smoking, not troubling to make conversation, now as ever sublimely at his ease. 

The snow sparkled around them like a thousand gems Dinah's eyes wereburning and smarting with the brightness. And still that tenderwaltz-music ran lilting through her brain, drifting as it were throughthe mist of her unshed tears. 

Suddenly he spoke. They were nearing the pine-wood and quite alone. "Isthere anything the matter?"

She choked down a great lump in her throat before she could speak inanswer. "No, " she murmured then. "I--I am just--rather low about leaving;that's all. "

"Quite all?" he said. 

His tone was so casual, so normal, that it seemed impossible now to thinkof last night's happening save as an extravagant dream. She almost feltfor the moment as if she had imagined it all. And then he spoke again, and she caught a subtle note of tenderness in his voice that broughtit all back upon her in an overwhelming rush. 

"That's really all, is it? You're not unhappy about anything else? Scotthasn't been bullying you?"

She gasped at the question. "Oh no! Oh no! He wouldn't! He couldn't!I--haven't even seen him today. "

He received the information in silence; but in a moment or two he tossedaway his cigarette with the air of a man having come to an abruptresolution. 

"And so you're fretting about going home?" he said. 

She nodded mutely. The matter would not bear discussion. 

"Poor little Daphne!" he said. "It's been a good game, hasn't it?"

She nodded again. "Just like the dreams that never come true, " shemanaged to say. 

"Would you like it to come true?" he asked her unexpectedly. 

She glanced up at him with a woeful little smile. "It's no good thinkingof that, is it?" she said. 

"I have an idea we could make it come true between us, " he said. 

She shook her head. That brief glimpse of his intent eyes had sent asudden and overwhelming wave of shyness through her. She remembered againthe fiery holding of his arms, and was afraid. 

He paused in his walk and turned aside to the railing that bounded theside of the track above the steep, pine-covered descent. "Wish hardenough, " he said, "and all dreams come true!"

Dinah went with him as if compelled. She leaned against the railing, gladof the support, while he sat down upon it. His attitude was supremelyeasy and self-possessed. 

"Do you know, Daphne, " he said, "I've taken a fancy to that particulardream myself? Now I've caught you, I don't see myself letting you goagain. "

Her heart throbbed at his words. She bent her head, fixing her eyes uponthe rough wood upon which she leaned. 

"But it's no good, is it?" she said, almost below her breath. "I've justgot to go. "

He put his hand on her shoulder, and she was conscious afresh of theelectricity of his touch. She shrank a little--a very little; for she wasfrightened, albeit curiously aware of a magnetism that drew herirresistibly. 

"Yes, I suppose you've got to go, " he said. "But--there's nothing toprevent me following you, is there?"

She quivered from head to foot. That hand upon her shoulder sent such atumult of emotions through her that she could not collect her thoughts inany coherent order. "I--I don't know, " she whispered, bending her headstill lower. "They--I don't know what they would say at home. "

"Your people?" His hand was drawing her now with an insistent pressurethat would not be denied. "They'd probably dance on their heads withdelight, " he said, his tone one of slightly supercilious humour. "Iassure you I am considered something of a catch by a good many anxiousmammas. "

She started at that, started and straightened herself, lifting shy eyesto his. "Oh, but we've only been--playing, " she said rather uncertainly. "Just--just pretending to flirt, that's all. "

He laughed, bending his handsome, imperious face to hers. "It's been afairly solid pretence, hasn't it?" he said. "But I'm proposing somethingslightly different now. I'm offering you my hand--as well as my heart. "

Dinah was trembling all over. She gasped for breath, drawing backslightly from the nearness of his lips. "Do you mean--you'd like--tomarry me?" she whispered tremulously, and hid her face on the instant;for the bald words sounded preposterous. 

He laughed again, softly, half-mockingly, and drew her into his arms. "Whatever made you think of that, my elf of the mountains? I'll vow itcame into your head first. Ah, you needn't hide your eyes from me. I knowyou're mine--all mine. I've known it from the first--ever since you beganto run away. But I've caught you now. Haven't I? Haven't I?"

She clung to him desperately. It seemed the only way; for she was for themoment swept off her feet, terribly afraid of arousing that storm ofpassion which had so overwhelmed her the night before. Instinct warnedher what to expect if she attempted to withdraw herself. Moreover, thetumult of her feeling was such that she did not want to do so. She wantedonly to hide her head for a space, and be still. 

He pressed her close, still laughing at her shyness. "What a good thingI'm not shy!" he said. "If I were, to-day would be the end of everythinginstead of the beginning. Can't you bring yourself to look at your newpossession? Did you think you could laugh and run away for all time?"

Then, as in muffled accents she besought him to be patient with her, hesoftened magically and for the first time spoke of love. 

"Don't you know you have wrenched the very heart out of me, you littlebrown witch? I loved you from the very first moment of our dancetogether. You've been too much for me all through. I had to have you. Isimply had to have you. "

She trembled afresh at his words, but she clung closer. If the feardeepened, so also did the fascination. She tried to picture him ashers--hers, and failed. He was so fine, so splendid, so much too big forher. 

He went on, dropping his voice lower, his breath warm upon her neck. "Areyou going to take all and give--nothing, Daphne? Did they make youwithout a heart, I wonder? Like a robin that mates afresh a dozen timesin a season? Haven't you anything to give me, little sweetheart? Are yougoing to keep me waiting for a long, long time, and then send me emptyaway?"

That moved her. That he should stoop to plead with her seemed so amazing, almost a fabulous state of affairs. 

With a little sob, she lifted her face at last. "Oh, Apollo!" she saidbrokenly. "Apollo the magnificent! I am all yours--all yours! Butdon't--don't take too much--at a time!"

The plea must have touched him, accompanied as it was by that fullsurrender. He held her a moment, looking down into her eyes with thefiery possessiveness subdued to a half-veiled tenderness in his own. 

Then, very gently, even with reverence, he bent his face to hers. "Giveme--just what you can spare, then, little sweetheart!" he said. "I canalways come again for more now. "

She slipped her arms around his neck, and shyly, childishly, she kissedthe lips that had devoured her own so mercilessly the night before. 

"Yes--yes, I will always give you more!" she said tremulously. 

He took her face between his hands and kissed her in return, notviolently, but with confidence. "That seals you for my very own, " hesaid. "You will never run away from me again?"

But she would not promise that. The memory of the previous night stillscorched her intolerably whenever her thoughts turned that way. 

"I shan't want to run away if--if you stay as you are now, " she told himconfusedly. 

He laughed in his easy way. "Oh, Daphne, I shall have a lot to teach youwhen we are married. How soon do you think you can be ready?"

She started in his hold at the question, and then quickly gave herselffully back to him again. "I don't know a bit. You'll have to ask mother. P'raps--she may not allow it at all. "

"Ho! Won't she?" said Sir Eustace. "I think I know better. What aboutthat trip on the yacht in July? Can you be ready in time for that?"

"Oh, I expect I could be ready sooner than that, " said Dinah naïvely. 

"You could?" He smiled upon her. "Well, next week then! What do you sayto next week?"

But she shrank again at that. "Oh no! Not possibly! Not possibly!You--you're laughing!" She looked at him accusingly. 

He caught her to him. "You baby! You innocent! Yes, I'm going to kissyou. Where will you have it? Just anywhere?"

He held her and kissed her, still laughing, yet with a heat that made herflinch involuntarily; kissed the pointed chin and quivering lips, theswift-shut eyes and soft cheeks, the little, trembling dimple that cameand went. 

"Yes, you are mine--all mine, " he said. "Remember, I have a right to younow that no one else has. Not all the mammas in the world could comebetween us now. "

She laughed, half-exultantly, half-dubiously, peeping at him through herlowered lashes. "I wonder if you'll still say that when--when you'veseen--my mother, " she murmured. 

He kissed her again, kissed anew the dimples that showed and vanished soalluringly. "You will see presently, my Daphne, " he said. "But I'm goingto have you, you know. That's quite understood, isn't it?"

"Yes, " whispered Dinah, with docility. 

"No more running away, " he insisted. "That's past and done with. "

She gave him a fleeting smile. "I couldn't if--if I wanted to. "

"I'm glad you realize that, " he said. 

She clung to him suddenly with a little movement that was almostconvulsive. "Oh, are you sure--quite sure--that you wouldn't rather marryRose de Vigne?"

He uttered his careless laugh. "My dear child, there are plenty ofRoses in the world. There is only one--Daphne--Daphne, the fleet offoot--Daphne, the enchantress!"

She clung to him a little faster. "And there is only one Apollo, " shemurmured. "Apollo the magnificent!"

"We seem to be quite a unique couple, " laughed Eustace, with his lipsupon her hair. 

CHAPTER XXX

THE SECOND SUMMONS

When they went down the hill again to the hotel, Dinah felt as if shewere treading on air. The whole world had magically changed for her. Fears still lurked in the background, such fears as she did not dare toturn and contemplate; but she herself had stepped into such a blaze ofsunshine that she felt literally bathed from head to foot in the glow. 

Her dread of returning to the old home-life had dwindled to a mereshadow. Sir Eustace's absolute confidence on the subject of hisdesirability as a husband had accomplished this. There would be paens ofrejoicing, he told her, and she had actually begun to think that he spokethe truth. She was quite convinced that her mother would be pleased. Itwas Cinderella and the prince indeed. Who could be otherwise?

Her escapade of the night before had also shrunk to a matter of smallimportance. Eustace in his grand, easy way had justified her, and she wasno longer tormented by the thought of the mute reproach she wouldencounter in Scott's eyes. She was triumphantly vindicated, and no onewould dream of reproaching her now. Isabel too--surely Isabel would beglad, would welcome her as a sister, though the realization of thisnearness of relationship made her blush in sheer horror at herpresumption. 

She to be Lady Studley! She--little, insignificant, moneyless Dinah! Thethought of Rose's soft patronage flashed through her brain, and shechuckled aloud. Poor dear Rose, waiting for him at the Court, expectingevery day to hear of his promised advent! What a shock for them all! Why, she would rank with the County now! Even Lady Grace would scarcely be ina position to patronize her! Again, quite involuntarily, she chuckled. 

"What's the joke?" demanded Sir Eustace. 

She blushed very deeply, realizing that she had allowed her thoughts torun away with her. 

"There isn't a joke really, " she told him. "It wasn't important anyhow. Iwas only thinking how--how surprised the de Vignes would be. "

He frowned momentarily; then he laughed. "Proud of your conquest, eh?" heasked. 

She blushed still more deeply. "It's easy to laugh now, but I shall neverdare to face them, " she murmured. 

He took her hand as they walked, linking his fingers in hers with acareless air of possession. "When you are Lady Studley, " he said, "Ishall not allow you to knock under to anyone--except your husband. "

She gave a faint laugh. "I--shall have to learn to swagger, " she said. "But I'm afraid I shall never do it as well as you do. "

"What? Swagger?" He frowned again. "How dare you accuse me of that?"

"Oh, I didn't! I don't!" Hastily she sought to avert his displeasure. "No, no! I only meant that you were born to it. I'm not. I--I'm veryordinary; not nearly good enough for you. "

His frown melted again. "You are--Daphne, " he said. "Ah! Here is Scott, coming to look for us! Who is going to break the news to him?"

She made a small, ineffectual attempt to release her hand. Then, underher breath, "He--saw you kiss me last night, " she whispered. "Don't youthink he may have guessed already?"

A very cynical look came into Eustace's face. "I wonder, " he saidbriefly. 

They went on side by side down the white, shining track; but Dinah was nolonger treading on air. She could see the slight, insignificant figurethat awaited them close to the hotel-entrance, and her heart felt oddlyweighted within her. It was not the memory of the night before thatoppressed her. That episode had faded almost into nothingness. But theordeal of facing him, of telling him of the wonderful thing that had justhappened to her, seemed suddenly more than she could bear. Somethingwithin her seemed to cry out against it. She had a curious feeling oflooking out at him across great billows of seething uncertainty thatrolled ever higher and higher between them, threatening to separate themfor all time. 

Yet when she neared him, the tumult of feeling sank again as thequietness of his presence reached her. Out of the tempest she foundherself drifting into a safe harbour of still waters. 

He moved to meet them, and she heard his voice greet her as he raised hiscap. "So you have been for your farewell stroll!"

She did not answer in words, only she freed her hand from Eustace with aresolute little tug and gave it to him. 

Eustace spoke, a species of half-veiled insolence in his tone. "Like thepsalmist she went forth weeping and has returned bearing her sheaf withher--in the form of a fairly substantial _fiancé_. "

Dinah ventured to cast a lightning-glance at Scott to see how he took theinformation and was conscious of an instant's shock. He looked so grey, so ill, like a man who had received a deadly wound. 

But the impression passed in a flash as she felt his hand close uponhers. 

"My dear, " he said simply, "I'm awfully pleased. "

The warm grasp did her good. It brought her swiftly back to a normalstate of mind. She drew a hard breath and met his eyes, reassuringherself in a moment with the conviction that after all he looked quite asusual. Somehow her imagination had tricked her. His kindly smile seemedto make everything right. 

"Oh, it is kind of you not to mind, " she said impulsively. 

Whereat Sir Eustace laughed. "He is rather magnanimous, isn't he? Well, come along and tell Isabel!"

Scott's eyes came swiftly to him. He released Dinah, and offered his handto his brother. "Let me congratulate you, old chap!" he said, his voicerather low. "I hope you will both have--all happiness. "

"Thanks!" said Eustace. He took the hand, looking at the younger man withkeen, hawk-eyes. "We mean to make a bid for it anyway. Dinah is lucky inone thing at least. She will have an ideal brother-in-law. "

The words were carelessly spoken, but they were not without meaning. Scott flushed slightly; even while for an instant he smiled. "I shall domy best in that capacity, " he said. "But before you go in, I want you towait a moment. Isabel has had a slight fainting attack. We mustn't takeher by surprise. "

"A fainting attack!" Sharply Eustace echoed the words. "How did ithappen?" he demanded. 

Scott raised his shoulders. "We were talking together. I can't tell youexactly what caused it. It came rather suddenly. Biddy and I brought herround almost immediately, and she declares that she will make thejourney. She did not wish me to tell you of it, but I thought it better. "

"Of coarse. " Sir Eustace's voice was short and stern; his face wore aheavy frown. "But something must have caused it. What were you talkingabout?"

Scott hesitated for a second. "I can't tell you that, old fellow, " hesaid then. 

Eustace uttered a brief laugh. "Too personal, eh? Well, how did ithappen? Did she suddenly lose consciousness?"

"She suddenly gasped, and said her heart had stopped. She fell across thetable. I called to Biddy, and we lifted her and gave her brandy. Thatbrought her to very quickly. I left her lying down in her room. But shesays she feels much better, and she is very set upon leaving thearrangements for the journey unaltered. "

Scott spoke rather wearily. Dinah's heart went out to him in swiftsympathy which she did not know how to express. 

"May I--could I--go to her?" she suggested, after a moment timidly. 

Scott turned to her instantly. "Please do! I know she would like to seeyou. We ought to be starting in another quarter of an hour. The sleighwill be here directly. "

"May I do as I like about--about telling her?" Dinah asked, pausing. 

Scott's eyes shone with a very kindly gleam. "Of course, I know you willnot startle her. You always do her good. "

The words followed her as she turned away. How good he was to her! Howfull of understanding and human sympathy! Her heart throbbed with awarmth that filled her with an odd desire to weep. She wished thatEustace did not treat him quite so arrogantly. 

And then, looking back, she reproached herself for the thought; forEustace had linked a hand in his arm, and she saw that they were walkingtogether in complete accord. 

"But I will never--no, never--call him Stumpy!" she said to herself, asshe passed into the hotel. 

She went up the stairs rapidly, and hastened to Isabel's room. That lookshe had caught in Scott's face--that stricken look--had doubtless beenbrought there by his sudden anxiety for his sister. That would fullyaccount for it, she was sure. 

On the threshold of Isabel's room an overwhelming nervousness assailedher. How was she going to tell her of the wonderful event that had takenplace in the last half-hour? On the other hand, how could she possiblysuppress so tremendous a matter? And again, the disquieting questionarose; could she be ill--really ill? Scott had looked so troubled--sounutterably sad. 

With an effort she summoned her courage, and softly knocked. 

Instantly a low voice answered her, bidding her enter. She opened thedoor and went in, feeling as though she were treading sacred ground. 

But Isabel's voice spoke again instantly, greeting her; andin a moment all her doubts, all her forebodings, were gone. 

"Come in, little sweetheart!" Isabel said. 

And she advanced with quickened steps to find Isabel lying propped on thesofa, looking at her, smiling up at her, with such a glory on her wastedface as made it "as it had been the face of an angel. "

In an instant Dinah was on her knees beside her, with loving armsclasping her close. "Oh, darling, I've only just heard. Are you better?Are you better?" she said yearningly. 

Isabel held her, and fondly kissed the upturned lips. "Why, I believeScott has been frightening you, " she said. "Silly fellow! Yes, dear. I amwell--quite well. "

"You are sure?" Dinah insisted. "You are really not ill?"

Isabel's smile had in it--had she but known it--a gleam of the Divine. "My dearest, all is well with me, " she said. "I lay down for a little toplease Scott. But I am going to get up now. Where have you been since_dèjeuner_? I missed you. "

Dinah clung closer, hiding her face. 

Instantly Isabel's arms tightened. The passionate tenderness of themthrilled her through and through. "Why, child, what has happened?" shewhispered. "Tell me! Tell me!"

But Dinah only hid her face a little deeper. "I don't know how, " shemurmured. 

There fell a silence. Then, under her breath, Isabel spoke. "My darling, whisper--just whisper! Who--is it?"

And very, very faintly, at last Dinah made answer. "It--it is--SirEustace. "

There fell another silence, longer, deeper, than the first. Then Isabeluttered a short, hard sigh, and, stooping, kissed the bowed, curly head. "God bless and keep you always, dearest!" she said. 

Something in the words--or was it the tone?--pierced Dinah. She turnedher face slightly upwards. "I--I was afraid you wouldn't be pleased, " shefaltered. "Do--do forgive me--if you can!"

"Forgive you!" All the wealth of Isabel's love was in the words. "Why, darling, I have been wanting you for my own little sister ever since Ifirst saw you. "

"Oh, have you?" Eagerly Dinah lifted her head. Her eyes were shining, hercheeks very flushed. "Then you are pleased?" she said earnestly. "Youreally are pleased?"

Isabel smiled at her very sadly, very fondly. "My darling, if you arehappy, I am more than pleased, " she said. 

Yet Dinah was puzzled, not wholly satisfied. She received Isabel's kisswith a certain wistfulness. "I feel--somehow--as if I've done wrong, " shesaid. "Yet--yet--Scott--" she halted over the name, uttering itshyly--"said he was--awfully pleased. "

"Ah! You have told Scott!" There was a sharp, almost a wrung, sound inIsabel's voice; but the next moment she controlled it, and spoke withsteady resolution. "Then, my dear, you needn't have any misgivings. Ifyou love Eustace and he loves you, it is the best thing possible for youboth. " She held Dinah to her again and kissed her; then very tenderlyreleased her. "You must run and get ready, dear child. It is gettinglate. "

Dinah went obediently, still with that bewildered feeling of havingsomehow taken a wrong turning. She was convinced in her own mind that thenews had not been welcome to Isabel, disguise it how she would. Andsuddenly through her mind there ran the memory of those words she haduttered a few weeks before. "Never prefer the tinsel to the true gold!"She had not fully understood their meaning then. Now very vividly itflashed upon her. Isabel had compared her two brothers in that briefsentence. Isabel's estimate of the one was as low as that of the otherwas high. Isabel did not love Eustace--the handsome, debonair brother whohad once been all the world to her. 

A little, sick feeling of doubt went through Dinah! Had she--by any evilchance--had she made a mistake?

And then the man's overwhelming personality swung suddenly through herconsciousness, filling all her being, possessing her, dominating her. Sheflung the doubt from her, as one flings away a poisonous insect. He washer own--her very own; her lover, the first, the best, --Apollo theMagnificent!

In Isabel's room old Biddy Maloney stood, gazing down at her mistresswith eyes of burning devotion. 

"And is it yourself that's feeling better now?" she questioned fondly. 

Isabel raised herself, smiling her sad smile. "Oh, Biddy, " she said, "for myself I feel that all is well--all will be well. The dawn drawsnearer--every hour. "

Biddy shook her head with pursed lips. "Ye shouldn't talk so, mavourneen. It's the Almighty who has the ruling. Ye wouldn't wish to go before yourtime?"

"Before my time! Oh, Biddy! When I have lingered in the prison-house solong!" Slowly Isabel rose to her feet. She looked at Biddy almostwhimsically. "I think He will take that into the reckoning, " she said. "Do you know, Biddy, this is the second summons that has come to me? AndI think--I think, " her face was glorified again as the face of one whosees a vision--"I think the third will be the last. "

Biddy's black eyes screwed up suddenly. She turned her face away. 

"Will we be getting ready to go now, Miss Isabel?" she asked after amoment, in a voice that shook. 

The glory died out of Isabel's face, though the reflection of it stilllingered in her eyes. "I am very selfish, Biddy, " she said. "Can youguess what Miss Dinah has just told me?"

"Arrah thin, I can, " said Biddy, with a touch of aggressiveness. "I'veseen it coming for a long time past. And ye didn't ought to allow it atall, Miss Isabel. It's a mistake, that's what it is. It's just a badmistake. "

"Not if he loves her, Biddy. " Isabel spoke gently, but there was a hintof reproof in her voice. 

Biddy, however, remained quite unabashed. "He love her!" she snorted. "Asif he ever loved anybody besides himself! Talk about the lion and thelamb, Miss Isabel! It's a cruel shame to let her go to such as him. Andwhat'll poor Master Scott do at all? And he worshipping the little fairyfeet of her!"

"Hush, Biddy, hush!" Isabel spoke with decision. "I hope--I trust--thathe isn't very grievously disappointed. But if he is, it is the one thingthat neither you nor I must ever seem to suspect. "

"Ah!" grumbled Biddy mutinously. "And isn't that just like Sir Eustace, with all the world to pick from, to choose the one thing--the one littlewild rose--as Master Scott had set his heart on? He's done it from hiscradle. Always the one thing someone else wanted he must grab forhimself. But is it too late, Miss Isabel darlint?" Sudden hope shone inthe old woman's eyes. "Is it really too late? Couldn't ye drop a hint tothe dear lamb? Sure and she's fond of Master Scott! Maybe she'd turn tohim after all if she knew. "

Isabel shook her head almost sternly. "Biddy, no! This is no affair ofours. If Master Scott suspected for a moment what you have just said tome, he would never forgive you. "

"May I come in?" said Scott's voice at the door. "My dear, you arelooking better. Are you well enough to start?"

"Yes, of course. " Isabel moved towards him, her hands extended in muteaffection. 

He took and held them. "Dinah has told you? I am sure you are glad. Eustace is waiting downstairs. Come and tell him how glad you are!"

His eyes, very straight and steadfast, met hers. 

Isabel tried to speak in answer, but caught her breath in a sudden sob. 

He waited a second. Then, "Isabel!" he said gently. 

Sharply she controlled herself. "Yes. Yes. Let us go!" she said. "Imust--congratulate Eustace. "

They went; and old Biddy was left alone. 

She looked after them with a piteous expression on her wrinkled face;then suddenly, with a wistful gesture, she clasped her old worn hands. 

"I pray the Almighty, " she said, with great earnestness, "to open thedear young lady's eyes, before it is too late. And if He wants anyone tohelp Him--sure it's meself that'll be only too pleased. "

It was the most impressive prayer that Biddy had ever uttered. 

PART II

CHAPTER I

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

The early dusk of February was falling, together with a fine, drenchingrain. The trees that over-hung the muddy lane were beating their starkbranches together as though in despair over the general hopelessness ofthe outlook. The west wind that raced across the brown fields had thesharpness of snow in its train. 

"We shall catch it before we've done, " said Bathurst to his hunter. 

Rupert the hunter, a dapple grey with powerful hindquarters, cocked aknowing ear in a fashion that Dinah always described as "his smile. "

It had not been a good day for either of them. The meet had been at aconsiderable distance, there had been no run worth mentioning; and nowthat it was over they were returning, thoroughly tired, from the kennels. 

Bathurst's pink coat clung to him like a sack, all streaked and darkenedwith rain. It had weathered a good many storms in its time, as its manyvarieties of tint testified; but despite this fact, its wearer neverfailed to look a sportsman and a gentleman. There was nothing of thevagabond about Bathurst, but he had the vagabond's facility for makinghimself at home wherever he went. He was never at a loss, neverembarrassed, never affronted. He took life easily, as he himself put it;and on the whole he found it good. 

Riding home at a jog-trot in that driving rain with the prospect ofhaving to feed and rub down Rupert at the end of it before he couldattend to his own needs was not a particularly entrancing prospect; buthe faced it philosophically. After today the little girl would be athome, and she could do it for him again. She loved to wait on him handand foot, and it really was a pleasure to let her. 

He whistled cheerily to himself as he wended his leisurely way throughthe dripping lane that made the shortest cut to his home. It would benice to have the little girl home again. Lydia was all very well--a goodwife, as wives went--but there was no doubt about it that Dinah'spresence made a considerable difference to his comfort. The child wasquick to forestall his wants; he sometimes thought that she was even moreuseful to him than a valet would have been. He had missed her more thanhe would have dreamed possible. 

Lydia had missed her too; he was sure of that. She had been peculiarlyshort of temper lately. Not that he ever took much notice; he was tooused to her tantrums for that. But it certainly was more comfortable whenDinah was at home to bear the brunt of them. Yes, on the whole he wasquite pleased that the little girl was coming back. It would make adifference to him in many ways. 

He wondered what time she would arrive. He had known, but he hadforgotten. He believed it was to be some time in the evening. Her grandfriends had arranged to stay at Great Mallowes, three miles, away for thenight, and one of them--the maid probably--was to bring Dinah home. Hehad smiled over this arrangement, and Lydia had openly scoffed at it. Asif a girl of Dinah's age were not capable of travelling alone! But thenof course she had been ill, very ill according to all accounts; and itwas quite decent of them to bestow so much care upon her. 

He fell to wondering if the child had got spoilt at all during her longabsence from home and the harsh discipline thereof. If so, there was ahard time before her; for Lydia was never one to stand any nonsense. Shehad always been hard on her first-born, unreasonably hard, he sometimesthought; though it was not his business to interfere. The task ofchastising the daughter of the family was surely the mother's exclusiveprerogative; and certainly Lydia had carried it out very thoroughly. Andif at times he thought her over-severe, he could not deny that the resultachieved was eminently satisfactory. Dinah was always docile and activein his service--altogether a very good child; and this was presumably dueto her mother's training. No, on the whole he had not much fault to findwith either of them. Doubtless Lydia understood her own sex best. 

He was nearing the end of the long lane; it terminated close to his home. Rupert quickened his pace. They were both splashed with mud from shoulderto heel. They had both had more than enough of the wet and the slush. 

"That's right, Rupert, my boy!" the man murmured. "Finish in style!"

They came out from beneath the over-arching trees, emerging upon thehigh road that led from Great Mallowes to Perrythorpe. The hoot of amotor-horn caused Rupert to prick his ears, and his master reined himback as two great, shining head-lights appeared round a curve. Theydrew swiftly near, flashed past, and were gone meteor-like into thegloom. 

"Whose car was that, I wonder?" mused Bathurst. 

"The de Vignes's? It didn't look like one of the Court cars, but the oldbird is always buying something new. Lucky devil!"

The thought of the Colonel renewed his thoughts of Dinah. Certain hintsthe former had dropped had made him wonder a little if the child werealways as demure as she seemed. Not that Colonel de Vigne had actuallyfound fault with her. He was plainly fond of her. But he had not spokenas if Dinah had effaced herself as completely abroad as she did at home. 

"Oh, yes, the little baggage enjoyed herself--was as gay as a lark--tillshe got ill, " he had said. "You may find her something of a handful whenshe gets back, Bathurst. She's stretched her wings a bit since she leftyou. "

Bathurst shrugged his shoulders with the comforting reflection that hewould not have the trouble of dealing with her. If she had been giddy, after all, it was but natural. Her mother had not been particularlysteady in the days of her wild youth. And anyhow he was sure her motherwould speedily break her in again. She had a will of iron before whichDinah was _always_ forced to bend. 

He rode on along the highroad. It was not more than half a mile fartherto his home on the outskirts of the village. Somewhere in the gloom aheadof him church-bells were pealing. It was practice-night, he remembered. Dinah loved the sound of the bells. She would feel that they were ringingin her honour. Funny little Dinah! The child was full of fancies of thatsort. Just as well perhaps, for it was the only form of amusement thatever came into her home life. 

The gay peal turned into a deafening clashing as at length he neared hishome. The old church stood only a stone's throw further on. They wereringing the joy-bells with a vengeance. And then very suddenly he caughtsight of the tail-lamp of a car close to his own gate. 

Dinah had returned then. They had actually chartered that car to conveyher from Great Mallowes. He pursed his lips to a whistle. The little girlhad been in clover indeed. 

"She certainly won't think much of the home crusts after this, " hemurmured to himself. 

He walked Rupert round to the tumble-down stable, and dismounted. 

For the next quarter of an hour he was busy over the animal. He thoughtit a little strange that Dinah did not spy the stable-lamp from thekitchen and come dancing out to greet him. He also wondered why the carlingered so long. It looked as if someone other than the maid hadaccompanied her, and were staying to tea. 

He never took tea after a day's hunting; hot whisky and water and a bathformed his customary programme, and then a tasty supper and bed. 

He supposed on this occasion that he would have to go in and showhimself, though he was certainly not fit to be seen. Reluctantly hepulled the bedraggled pink coat on again. After all, it did not greatlymatter. Hunting was its own excuse. No sportsman ever returned in theapple-pie order in which he started. 

Carelessly he sauntered in by way of the back premises, and was instantlystruck by the sound of a man's voice, well-bred, with a slightly haughtyintonation, speaking in one of the front rooms of the little house. 

"Dinah seemed to think that she could not keep it in till to-morrow, " itsaid, with easy assurance. "So I thought I had better come along with herto-night and get it over. "

The words reached Bathurst as he arrived in the small square hall, and hestopped dead. "Hullo! Hullo!" he murmured softly to himself. 

And then came his wife's voice, a harsh, determined voice, "Do Iunderstand that you wish to marry my daughter?"

"That's the idea, " came the suave reply. "You don't know me, of course, but I think I can satisfy you that I am not an undesirable _parti_. Myfamily is considered fairly respectable, as old families go. I am theninth baronet in direct succession; and I have a very fair amount ofworldly goods to offer my wife. "

Mrs. Bathurst broke in upon him, a tremor of eagerness in her hard voice. "If that is the case, of course I have no objection, " she said. "Dinahwon't do any better for herself than that. It seems to me that she willhave the best of the bargain. But that is your affair. She's full young. I don't suppose you want to marry her yet, do you?"

"I'd marry her to-night if I could, " said Sir Eustace, with his carelesslaugh. 

But Mrs. Bathurst did not laugh with him. "We'll have the banns publishedand everything done proper, " she said. "Hasty marriages as often as notaren't regular. Here, Dinah! Don't stand there listening! Go and see ifthe kettle boils!"

It was at this point that Bathurst deemed that the moment had arrived topresent himself. He entered, almost running into Dinah about to hurryout. 

"Hullo!" he said. "Hullo!" and taking her by the shoulders, kissed her. 

She clung to him for a moment, her sweet face burning. "Oh, Dad!" shemurmured in confusion, "Oh, Dad!"

With his arm about her, he turned her back into the room. "You come backand introduce me to your new friend!" he said. "I've got to thank him, you know, for taking such care of you. "

She yielded, but not very willingly. She was painfully embarrassed, almost incoherent, as she obeyed Bathurst's behest. 

"This--this is Dad, " she murmured. 

Sir Eustace came forward with his leisurely air of confidence. His greatbulk seemed to fill the low room. He looked even more magnificent thanusual. 

"Ah, sir, you have just come in from hunting, " he said. "I hope I don'tintrude. It's a beastly wet evening. I should think you're not sorry toget in. "

Mrs. Bathurst, tall, bony, angular, with harsh, gipsy features that werestill in a fashion boldly handsome, broke in upon her husband's answeringgreeting. 

"Ronald, this gentleman tells me he wants to marry Dinah. It is verysudden, but these things often are. You will give your consent of course. I have already given mine. "

"Easy, easy!" laughed Bathurst. "Why exceed the speed limit in thisreckless fashion? You are Sir Eustace Studley? I am very pleased to meetyou. "

He held out his hand to Sir Eustace, and gave him the grasp ofgood-fellowship. It seemed to Dinah that the very atmosphere changedmagically with the coming of her father. No difficult situation everdismayed him. He and Sir Eustace were not dissimilar in this respect. Whatever the circumstances, they both knew how to hold their own withabsolute ease. It was a faculty which she would have given much topossess. 

Sir Eustace was laughing in his careless, well-bred way. "It's rather ashame to spring the matter on you like this, " he said. "I ought to havewaited to ask your consent to the engagement, but I am afraid I am not avery patient person, and I wanted to make sure of your daughter beforewe parted. We are staying at Great Mallowes--at the Royal Stag. May Icome over to-morrow and put things on a more business-like footing?"

"Oh, don't hurry away!" said Bathurst easily. "Sit down and have some teawith us! It is something of a surprise certainly but a very agreeableone. Lydia, what about tea? Or perhaps you prefer a whisky and soda?"

"Tea, thanks, " said Sir Eustace, and seated himself with his superb airof complete assurance. 

Mrs. Bathurst turned upon her daughter. "Dinah, how many more times am Ito tell you to go and see if the kettle boils?"

Dinah started, as one rudely awakened from an entrancing dream. "I amsorry, " she murmured in confusion. "I forgot. "

She fled from the room with the words, and her mother, with dark browsdrawn, looked after her for a moment, then sat down facing Sir Eustace. 

"I should like to know, " she said aggressively, "what you are prepared todo for her. "

Sir Eustace smiled in his aloof, slightly supercilious fashion. He hadbeen more or less prepared for Dinah's mother, but the temptation toaddress her as "My good woman" was almost more than he could withstand. 

"Will you not allow me, " he said, icily courteous, "to settle thisimportant matter with Mr. Bathurst to-morrow? He will then be in aposition to explain it to you. "

Mrs. Bathurst made a movement of fierce impatience. She had been put inher place by this stranger and furiously she resented it. But the man wasa baronet, and a marvellous catch for a son-in-law; and she did not dareto put her resentment into words. 

She got up therefore, and flounced angrily to the door. Sir Eustace arosewithout haste and with a stretch of his long arm opened it for her. 

She flung him a glance, half-hostile, half-awed, as she went through. Shehad a malignant hatred for the upper class, despite the fact that her ownhusband was a member thereof. And yet she held it in unwilling respect. Sir Eustace's nonchalantly administered snub was far harder to bear thanany open rudeness from a man of her own standing would have been. 

Fiercely indignant, she entered the kitchen, and caught Dinah peeping atherself in the shining surface of the warming-pan after having removedher hat. 

"Ah, that's your game, my girl, is it?" she said. "You've come back thegrand lady, have you? You've no further, use for your mother, I daresay. She may work her fingers to the bone for all you care--or ever will careagain. "

Dinah whizzed round, scarlet and crestfallen. "Oh, Mother! How youstartled me! I only wanted to see if--if my hair was tidy. "

"And that's one of your lies, " said Mrs. Bathurst, with a heavy hand onher shoulder. "They've taught you how to juggle with the truth, that'splain. Oh yes, Lady Studley that is to be, you've learnt a lot sinceyou've been away, I can see--learnt to despise your mother, I'll lay awager. But I'll show you she's not to be despised by a prinking minx likeyou. What did I send you in here for, eh?"

"To--to see to the kettle, " faltered Dinah, shrinking before the sternregard of the black eyes that so mercilessly held her own. 

"And there it is ready to boil over, and you haven't touched it, youworthless little hussy, you! Take that--and dare to disobey me again!"

She dealt the girl a blow with her open hand as she spoke, a swinging, pitiless blow, on the cheek, and pushed her fiercely from her. 

Dinah reeled momentarily. The sudden violence of the attack bewilderedher. Actually she had almost forgotten how dreadful her mother could be. Then, recovering herself, she went to the fire and stooped over it, without a word. She had a burning sensation at the throat, and she was onthe verge of passionate tears. The memory of Isabel's parting embrace, the tender drawing of her arms only a brief half-hour before made thishome-coming almost intolerable. 

"What's that thing you're wearing?" demanded Mrs. Bathurst abruptly. 

Dinah lifted the kettle and turned. "It is a fur-lined coat that--that hebought for me in Paris. "

"Then take it off!" commanded Mrs. Bathurst. "And don't you wear it againuntil I give you leave! How dare you accept presents from the man beforeI've even seen him?"

"I couldn't help it, " murmured Dinah, as she slipped off the luxuriousgarment that Isabel had chosen for her. 

"Couldn't help it!" Bitterly Mrs. Bathurst echoed the words. "You'll sayyou couldn't help him falling in love with you next! As if you didn't setout to catch him, you little artful brown-faced monkey! Oh, I always knewyou were crafty, for all your simple ways. Mind, I don't say you haven'tdone well for yourself, you have--a deal better than you deserve. Butdon't ever say you couldn't help it to me again! For if you do, I'lltrounce you for it, do you hear? None of your coy airs for me! I won'tput up with 'em. You'll behave yourself as long as you're in this house, or I'll know the reason why. "

To all of which Dinah listened in set silence, telling herself withdesperate insistence that it would not be for long. Sir Eustace did notmean to be kept waiting, and he would deliver her finally and for alltime. 

She did not know exactly why her mother was angry. She supposed sheresented the idea of losing her slave. There seemed no other possiblereason, for love for her she had none. Dinah knew but too cruelly wellthat she had been naught but an unwelcome burden from the very earliestdays of her existence. Till she met Isabel, she had never known what realmother-love could be. 

She wondered if her _fiancé_ would notice the red mark on her cheek whenshe carried in the teapot; but he was holding a careless conversationwith her father, and only gave her a glance and a smile. 

During the meal that followed he scarcely addressed her or so much aslooked her way. He treated her mother with a freezing aloofness that madeher tremble inwardly. She wondered how he dared. 

When at length he rose to go, however, his attention returned to Dinah. He laid a dominating hand upon her shoulder. "Are you coming to see meoff?"

She glanced at her mother in involuntary appeal, but failed to catch hereye. Silently she turned to the door. 

He took leave of her parents with the indifference of one accustomed topopularity. "I shall be round in the morning, " he said to her father. "About twelve? That'll suit me very well; unless I wait till theafternoon and bring my sister. I know she hopes to come over if she iswell enough. That is, of course, if you don't object to an informalcall. "

He spoke as if in his opinion the very fact of its informality conferreda favour, and again Dinah trembled lest her mother should break forthinto open rudeness. 

But to her amazement Mrs. Bathurst seemed somewhat overawed by theprincely stranger. She even smiled in a grim way as she said, "I will beat home to her. "

Sir Eustace made her a ceremonious bow and went out sweeping Dinah alongwith him. He closed the door with a decision there was no mistaking, andthe next moment he had her in his arms. 

"You poor little frightened mouse!" he said. "No wonder--no wonder younever knew before what life, real life, could be!"

She clung to him with all her strength, burying her face in the furcollar of his coat. "Oh, do marry me, quick--quick--quick!" she besoughthim, in a muffled whisper. "And take me away!"

He gathered her close in his arms, so close that she trembled again. Hernerves were all on edge that night. 

"If they won't let me have you in a month from now, " he said, in a voicethat quivered slightly, "I swear I'll run away with you. "

There was no echo of humour in his words though she tried to laugh atthem, and ever he pressed her closer and closer to his heart, tillpanting she had to lift her face. And then he kissed her in hispassionate compelling way, holding her shy lips with his own till heactually forced them to respond. She felt as if his love burned her, but, even so, she dared not shrink from it. There was so much at stake. Hermother's lack of love was infinitely harder to endure. 

And so she bore the fierce flame of his passion unflinching even thoughher spirit clamoured wildly to be free, choosing rather to be consumed byit than left a beaten slave in her house of bondage. 

His kisses waked in her much more of fear than rapture. That untameddesire of his frightened her to the very depths of her being, but yet itwas infinitely preferable to the haughty indifference with which heregarded all the rest of the world. It meant that he would not let hergo, and that in itself was comfort unspeakable to Dinah. He meant to haveher at any price, and she was very badly in need of deliverance, eventhough she might have to pay for it, and pay heavily. 

It was at this point, actually while his fiery kisses were scorching herlips, that a very strange thought crept all unawares into herconsciousness. If she ever needed help, if she ever needed escape, shehad a friend to whom she could turn--a staunch and capable friend whowould never fail her. She was sure that Scott would find a way to easethe burden if it became too heavy. Her faith in him, his wisdom, hisstrength, was unbounded. And he helped everyone--the valiant servantGreatheart, protector of the helpless, sustainer of the vanquished. 

When her lover was gone at last, she closed the door and leaned againstit, feeling weak in every fibre. 

Bathurst, coming out a few moments later, was struck by her spent look. "Well, Dinah lass, " he said lightly, "you look as if it had costsomething of an effort to land your catch. But he's a mighty fine one, Iwill say that for him. "

She went to him, twining her arm in his, forcing herself to smile. "Oh, Dad, " she said, "he is fine, isn't he?" But--but--she uttered the wordsalmost in spite of herself--"you should see his brother. You shouldsee--Scott. "

"What? Is he finer still?" laughed Bathurst, pinching her cheek. "Haveyou got the whole family at your feet, you little baggage?"

She flushed very deeply. "Oh no! Oh no! I didn't mean that. Scott--Scottis not a bit like that. He is--he is--" And there she broke off, for whocould hope to convey any faithful impression of this good friend of hers?There were no words that could adequately describe him. With a littlesigh she turned from the subject. "I'm glad you like Eustace, " she saidshyly. 

Bathurst laughed a little, then bent unexpectedly, and kissed her. "It'sa case of Cinderella and the prince, " he said lightly. "But the luckisn't all on Cinderella's side, I'm thinking. "

She clung to him eagerly. "Oh, Daddy, thank you! Thank you! Do youknow--it's funny--Scott used to call me Cinderella!"

Bathurst crooked his brows quizzically. "How original of him! This Scottseems to be quite a wonderful person. And what was your pet name for himI wonder, eh, sly-boots?"

She laughed in evident embarrassment. There was something implied in herfather's tone that made her curiously reluctant to discuss her hero. Andyet, in justification of the man himself, she felt she must saysomething. 

"His brother and sister call him--Stumpy, " she said, "because he islittle and he limps. But I--" her face was as red as the hunting-coatagainst which it nestled--"I called him--Mr. Greatheart. He is--just likethat. "

Mr. Bathurst laughed again, tweaking her ear. "Altogether anextraordinary family!" he commented. "I must meet this Mr. StumpyGreatheart. Now suppose you run upstairs and turn on the hot water. Andwhen you've done that, you can take my boots down to the kitchen to dry. And mind you don't fall foul of your mother, for she strikes me as beinga bit on the ramp tonight!"

He kissed her again, and she clung to him very fast for a moment or two, tasting in that casual, kindly embrace all the home joy she had everknown. 

Then, hearing her mother's step, she swiftly and guiltily disengagedherself and fled up the stairs like a startled bird. As she prepared hisbath for him, the wayward thought came to her that if only he and shehad lived alone together, she would never have wanted to get married atall--even for the delight of being Lady Studley instead of "poor littleDinah Bathurst!"

CHAPTER II

WEDDING ARRANGEMENTS

It was certainly not love at first sight that prompted Mrs. Bathurst totake a fancy to Isabel Everard. 

Secretly Dinah had dreaded their meeting, fearing that innate antagonismwhich her mother invariably seemed to cherish against the upper class. But within a quarter of an hour of their meeting she was aware of achange of attitude, a quenching of the hostile element, a curious andwholly new sensation of peace. 

For though Isabel's regal carriage and low, musical voice, marked her asone of the hated species, her gentleness banished all impression ofpride. She treated Dinah's mother with an assumption of friendliness thathad in it no trace of condescension, and she was so obviously sincere inher wish to establish a cordial relation that it was impossible to remainungracious. 

"I can't feel that we are strangers, " she said, with her rare smile whenDinah had departed to fetch the tea. "Your little Dinah has done so muchfor me--more than I can ever tell you. That I am to have her for a sisterseems almost too good to be true. "

"I wonder you think she's good enough, " remarked Mrs. Bathurst in herblunt way. "She isn't much to look at. I've done my best to bring her upwell, but I never thought of her turning into a fine lady. I question ifshe's fit for it. "

"If she were a fine lady, I don't think I should think so highly of her, "Isabel said gently. "But as to her being unfit to fill a high position, she is only inexperienced and she will learn very quickly. I am willingto teach her all in my power. "

"Aye, learn to despise her mother, " commented Mrs. Bathurst, with suddenbitterness, "after all the trouble I've taken to make her respect me. "

"I should never teach her that, " Isabel answered quietly. "And I am surethat she would be quite incapable of learning it. Mrs. Bathurst, do youreally think that worldly position is a thing that greatly matters toanyone in the long run? I don't. "

It was then that a faint, half-grudging admiration awoke in the elderwoman's resentful soul, and she looked at Isabel with the first glimmerof kindliness. "You're right, " she said slowly, "it don't matter to thosewho've got it. But to those who haven't--" her eyes glowed red for amoment--"you don't know how it galls, " she said. 

And then she flushed dully, realizing that she had made a confidante ofone of the hated breed. 

But Isabel's hand was on hers in a moment; her eyes, full ofunderstanding, looked earnest friendship into hers. "Oh, I know, " shesaid. "It is the little things that gall us all, until--until somegreat--some fundamental--sorrow wrenches our very lives in twain. Andthen--and then--one can almost laugh to think one ever cared about them. "

Her voice throbbed with feeling. She had lifted the veil for a moment tosalve the other woman's bitterness. 

And Mrs. Bathurst realized it, and was touched. "Ah! You've suffered, "she said. 

Isabel bent her head. "But it is over, " she said. "I married a man who, they said, was beneath me. But--God knows--he was above me--in every way. And then--I lost him. " Her voice sank. 

Mrs. Bathurst's hand came down with a clumsy movement upon hers. "Hedied?" she said. 

"Yes. " Almost in a whisper Isabel made answer. "For years I would notface it--would not believe it. He went from me so suddenly--oh, God, sosuddenly--" a tremor of anguish sounded in the low words; but in a momentshe raised her head, and her eyes were shining with a brightness that nopain could dim. "It is over, " she said. "It is quite, quite over. Mynight is past and can never come again. I am waiting now for the fullday. And I know that I have not very long to wait. I have not seenhim--no, I have not seen him. But--twice now--I have heard his voice. "

"Poor soul! Poor soul!" said Mrs. Bathurst. 

It was all the sympathy she could express; but it came from her heart. She no longer regretted her own burst of confidence. The spontaneousanswer that it had evoked had had a magically softening effect upon her. In all her life no one had ever charmed her thus. She was astonishedherself at the melting of her hardness. 

"You've suffered worse than I have, " she said, "for I never cared for anyman like that. I was let down badly when I was a girl, and I've never hadany opinion of any of 'em since. My husband's all right, so far as hegoes. But he isn't the sort of man to worship. Precious few of 'em are. "

Whereat Isabel laughed, a soft, sad laugh. "That is why worldly positionmatters so little, " she said. "If by chance the right man really comes, nothing else counts. He is just everything. "

"Maybe you're right, " said Mrs. Bathurst, with gloomy acquiescence. "Anyhow, it isn't for me to say you're wrong. "

And this was why when Dinah brought in the tea, she found a wholly newelement in the atmosphere, and missed the customary sharp rebuke from hermother's lips when she had to go back for the sugar-tongs. 

She had been disappointed that her friend Scott had not been of theparty. Isabel's explanation that he had gone home at Eustace's wish toattend to some business had not removed an odd little hurt sense ofhaving been defrauded. She had counted upon seeing Scott that day. It wasalmost as if he had failed her when she needed him, though why she seemedto need him she could not have said, nor could he possibly have knownthat she would do so. 

Sir Eustace was in her father's den. She was sure that they were gettingon very well together from the occasional bursts of laughter with whichtheir conversation was interspersed. They were not apparently stickingexclusively to business. And now that Isabel had won her mother, deeplythough she rejoiced over the conquest, she felt a little--a verylittle--forlorn. They were all talking about her, but if Scott had beenthere he would have talked to her and made her feel at ease. She couldnot understand his going, even at his brother's behest. It seemedincredible that he should not want to see her home. 

She sat meekly in the background, thinking of him, while she drank hertea; and then, just as she finished, there came the sound of voices atthe door, and her father and Sir Eustace came in. They were laughingstill. Evidently the result of the interview was satisfactory to both. Sir Eustace greeted his hostess with lofty courtesy, and passed onstraight to her side. 

She turned and tingled at his approach; he was looking more princely thanever. Instinctively she rose. 

"What do you want to get up for?" demanded her mother sharply. 

Sir Eustace reached his little trembling _fiancée_, and took the eagerhand she stretched to him. His blue eyes flashed their fierce flame overher upturned, quivering face. "Take me into the kitchen--anywhere!" hemurmured. "I want you to myself. "

She nodded. "Don't you want any tea? All right. Dad doesn't either. I'llclear away. "

"No, you don't!" her mother said. "You sit down and behave yourself!You'll clear when I tell you to; not before. "

Sir Eustace wheeled round to her, the flame of his look turning to ice. "With your permission, madam, " he said with extreme formality, "Dinah andI are going to retire to talk things over. "

He had his way. It was obvious that he meant to have it. He motioned toDinah with an imperious gesture to precede him, and she obeyed, notdaring to glance in her mother's direction. 

Mrs. Bathurst said no more. Something in Sir Eustace's bearing seemed toquell her. She watched him go with eyes that shone with a hot resentmentunder drawn brows. It took Isabel's utmost effort to charm her back to amood less hostile. 

As for Dinah, she led her _fiancé_ back to her father's den inconsiderable trepidation. To be compelled to resist her mother's will wasa state of affairs that filled her with foreboding. 

But the moment she was alone with him she forgot all but the onetremendous fact of his presence, for with the closing of the door he hadher in his arms. 

She clung to him desperately close, feeling as one struggling in deepwaters, caught in a great current that would bear her swiftly, irresistibly, --whither?

He laughed at her trembling with careless amusement. "What, still scared, my brown elf? Where is your old daring? Aren't you allowed to have anyspirit at all in this house?"

She answered him incoherently, straining to keep her face hidden out ofreach of his upturning hand. "No, --no, it's not that. You don'tunderstand. It's all so new--so strange. Eustace, please--please, don'tkiss me yet!"

He laughed again, but he did not press her for the moment. "Your fatherand I have had no end of a talk, " he said. "Do you know what has come ofit? Would you like to know?"

"Yes, " she murmured shyly. 

He was caressing the soft dark ringlets that clustered about her neck. 

"About getting married, little sweetheart, " he said. "You want to get itover quickly and so do I. There's no reason why we shouldn't in fact. Howabout the beginning of next month? How about April?"

"Oh, Eustace!" She clung to him closer still; she had no words. But stillthat sense of being caught, of being borne against her will, possessedher, filling her with dread rather than ecstasy. Whither was she going?Ah, whither?

He went on with his easy self-assurance, speaking as if he held the wholeworld at his disposal. "We will go South for the honeymoon. I've crowdsof things to show you--Rome, Naples, Venice. After that we'll come backand go for that summer trip in the yacht I promised you. "

"And Isabel too--and Scott?" asked Dinah, in muffled accents. 

He laughed over her head, as at the naïve prattling of a child. "What! Onour honeymoon? Oh, hardly, I think. I'll see to it that you're not bored. And look here, my elf! I won't have you shy with me any more. Is thatunderstood? I'm not an ogre. "

"I think you are--rather, " murmured Dinah. 

He bent over her, his lips upon her neck. "You--midget! And youthink I'm going to devour you? Well, perhaps I shall some day if yougo on running away. There's a terrible threat! Now hold up your head, Daphne--Daphne--and let me have that kiss!"

She hesitated a while longer, and then feeling his patience ebbing shelifted her face impulsively to his. "You will be good to me? Promise!Promise!" she pleaded tremulously. 

He was laughing still, but his eyes were aflame. "That depends, " hedeclared. "I can't answer for myself when you run away. Come! When areyou going to kiss me first? Isn't it time you began?"

She slipped her arms about his neck. Her face was burning. "I will now, "she said. 

Yet the moment her lips touched his, the old wild fear came upon her. Shemade a backward movement of shrinking. 

He caught her to him. "Daphne!" he said, and kissed her quivering throat. 

She did not resist him, but her arms fell apart, and the red blushswiftly died. When he released her, she fell back a step with eyes fastclosed, and in a moment her hands went up as though to shield face andneck from the scorching of a furnace. 

He watched her, a slight frown drawing his brows. The flame stillglittered in his eyes, but his mouth was hard. "Look here, child! Don'tbe silly!" he said. "If you treat me like a monster, I shall behave likeone. I'm made that way. "

His voice was curt; it held displeasure. Dinah uncovered her face andlooked at him. 

"Oh, you're angry!" she said, in tragic accents. 

He laughed at that. "About as angry as I could get with a piece ofthistledown. But you know, you're not very wise, my Daphne. You've got itin you to madden me, but it's a risky thing to do. Now see here! I'vebrought you something to make those moss-agate eyes of yours shine. Canyou guess what it is?"

His hand was held out to her. She laid her own within it with consciousreluctance. He drew her into the circle of his arm, pressing her to him. 

She leaned her head against him with a bewildered sense of self-reproach. "I'm sorry I'm silly, Eustace, " she murmured "I expect I'm made that waytoo. Don't--don't take any notice!"

He touched her forehead lightly with his lips. "You'll get over it, sweetheart, " he said. "It won't matter so much after we're married. I cando as I like with you then. "

"Oh, I shan't like that, " said Dinah quickly. 

His arm pressed her closer. "Yes, you will. I'll give you no end of agood time. Now, sweetheart, give me that little hand of yours again! No, the left! There! I wonder if it's small enough. Rather a loose fit, eh?How do you like it?"

He was fitting a ring on to the third finger. Dinah looked and wasdazzled. "Oh, Eustace, --diamonds!" she said, in an awed whisper. 

"The best I could find, " he told her, with princely arrogance. "I huntedthrough Bond Street for it this morning. Will it do?"

"You went up on purpose? Oh, Eustace!" she laid her cheek with a winningmovement against his hand. "You are too good! You are much too good!"

He laughed carelessly. "I'm glad you're satisfied. It's a bond, remember. You must wear it always--till I give you a wedding-ring instead. "

She lifted her face and looked at him with shining eyes. "I shall love towear it, " she said. "But I expect I shall have to keep it for best. Mother wouldn't let me wear it always. "

"Never mind what your mother says!" he returned. "It's what I say thatmatters now. We're going to have you to stay at Willowmount in a fewdays. Isabel is arranging it with your mother now. "

"Your home! Oh, how lovely!" Genuine delight was in Dinah's voice. "Scottis there, isn't he?"

He frowned again. "Bother Scott! You're coming to see me--no one else. "

She flushed. "Oh yes, I know. And I shall love it--I shall love it!But--do you think I shall be allowed to come?"

"You must come, " he said imperiously. 

But Dinah looked dubious. "I expect I shall be wanted at home now. And Idon't believe we shall get married in April either. I've been away solong. "

He laughed, flicking her cheek. "Haven't I always told you that wherethere's a will there's a way? If necessary, I can run away with you. "

She shook her head. "Oh no! I'd rather not. And if--if we're really goingto be married in April, I ought to stay at home to get ready. "

"Nonsense!" he said carelessly. "You can do that from Willowmount. Isabelwill help you. It's less than an hour's run to town. "

Dinah opened her eyes wide. "But I shan't shop in town. I shall have tomake all my things. I always do. "

He laughed again easily, indulgently. "That simplifies matters. You cando that anywhere. What are you going to be married in? White cotton?"

She laughed with him. "I would love to have a real grand wedding, " shesaid, "the sort of wedding Rose de Vigne will have, with bridesmaids andflowers and crowds and crowds of people. Of course I know it can't bedone. " She gave a little sigh. "But I would love it. I would love it. "

He was laughing still. "Why can't it be done? Who's going to prevent it?"

Dinah had become serious. "Dad hasn't money enough for one thing. Andthen there's Mother. She wouldn't do it. "

"Ho! Wouldn't she? I've a notion she'd enjoy it even more than you would. If you want a smart wedding you'd better have it in town. Then the deVignes and everyone else can come. "

"Oh no! I want it to be here. " Dinah's eyes began to shine. "Dad knowslots of people round about--County people too. Those are the sort ofpeople I'd like to come. Even Mother might like that, " she addedreflectively. 

"You prefer a big splash in your own little pond to a small one in agood-sized lake, is that it?" questioned Eustace. "Well, have it your ownway, my child! But I shouldn't make many clothes if I were you. We willshop in Paris after we are married, and then you can get whatever youfancy. "

Dinah's eyes fairly danced at the thought. "I shall love that. I'll tellDaddy, shall I, to keep all his money for the wedding, and then we canbuy the clothes afterwards; that is, if you can afford it, " she addedquickly. "I ought not to let you really. "

"You can't prevent me doing anything, " he returned, his hand pressing hershoulder. "No one can. "

She leaned her head momentarily against his arm. "You--you wouldn't wantto do anything that anyone didn't like, " she murmured shyly. 

"Shouldn't I?" he said and for a moment his mouth was grim. "I am notaccustomed to being regarded as an amiable nonentity, I assure you. It'ssettled then, is it? The first week in April? And you are to come to usfor at least a fortnight beforehand. "

Dinah nodded, her head bent. "All right, --if Mother doesn't mind. "

"What would happen if she did?" he asked curiously. 

"It just wouldn't be done, " she made answer. 

"Wouldn't it? Not if you insisted?"

"I couldn't insist, " she said, her voice very low. 

"Why couldn't you? I should have thought you had a will of your own. Don't you ever assert yourself?"

"Against her? No, never!" Dinah gave a little shudder. "Don't let's talkof it!" she said. "Isn't it time to go back? I believe I ought to beclearing away. "

He detained her for a moment. "You're not going to work like a niggerwhen you are married to me, " he said. 

She smiled up at him, a merry, dimpling smile. "Oh no, I shall just enjoymyself then--like Rose de Vigne. I shall be much too grand to work. There! I really must go back. Thank you again ever so much--ever somuch--for the lovely ring. I hope you'll never find out how unworthy I amof it. "

She drew his head down with quivering courage and bestowed a butterflykiss upon his cheek. And then in a second she was gone from his hold, gone like a woodland elf with a tinkle of laughter and the skipping offairy feet. 

Sir Eustace followed her flight with his eyes only, but in those eyes wasthe leaping fire of a passion that burned around her in an ever-narrowingcircle. She knew that it was there, but she would not look back to seeit. For deep in her heart she feared that flame as she feared nothingelse on earth. 

CHAPTER III

DESPAIR

"If I had known that this was going to happen, I would never havetroubled to cultivate their acquaintance, " said Lady Grace fretfully. "Iknew of course that that artful little minx was running after the man, but that he could ever be foolish enough to let himself be caught in suchan obvious trap was a possibility that I never seriously contemplated. "

"It doesn't matter to me, " said Rose. 

She had said it many times before with the same rather forced smile. Itwas not a subject that she greatly cared to discuss. The news of Dinah'sconquest had come like a thunderbolt. In common with her mother, she hadnever seriously thought that Sir Eustace could be so foolish. But sincethe utterly unexpected had come to pass, it seemed to her futile to talkabout it. Dinah had secured the finest prize within reach for the moment, and there was no disputing the fact. 

"The wedding is to take place so soon too, " lamented Lady Grace. "That, Ihave no doubt, is the doing of that scheming mother of hers. What shallwe do about going to it, Rose? Do you want to go, dear?"

"Not in the least, but I am going all the same. " Rose was still smiling, and her eyes were fixed. "I think, you know, Mother, " she said, "that wemight do worse than ask Sir Eustace and his party to stay here for theevent. "

"My dear Rose!" Lady Grace gazed at her in amazement. 

Rose continued to stare into space. "It would be much more convenient forthem, " she said. "And really we have no reason for allowing people toimagine that we are other than pleased over the arrangement. We shall notbe going to town before Easter, so it seems to me that it would be onlyneighbourly to invite Sir Eustace to stay at the Court for the wedding. Great Mallowes is not a particularly nice place to put up in, and thiswould be far handier for him. "

Lady Grace slowly veiled her astonishment. "Of course, dear; if you thinkso, it might be managed. We will talk to your father about it, and if heapproves I will write to Sir Eustace--or get him to do so. I do notmyself consider that Sir Eustace has behaved at all nicely. He was mostcavalier about the Hunt Ball. But if you wish to overlook it--well, Ishall not put any difficulty in the way. "

"I think it would be a good thing to do, " said Rose somewhatenigmatically. 

The letter that reached Sir Eustace two days later was penned by theColonel's hand, and contained a brief but cordial invitation to him andhis following to stay at Perrythorpe Court for the wedding. 

He read it with a careless smile and tossed it over to Scott. "Here ismagnanimity, " he commented. "Shall we accept the coals of fire?"

Scott read with all gravity and laid it down. "If you want my opinion, Ishould say 'No, '" he said. 

"Why would you say No?" There was a lazy challenge in the question, aprovocative gleam in Sir Eustace's blue eyes. 

Scott smiled a little. "For one thing I shouldn't enjoy the coals offire. For another, I shouldn't care to be at too close quarters with thebeautiful Miss de Vigne again, if I had your very highly susceptibletemperament. And for a third, I believe Isabel would prefer to stay atGreat Mallowes. "

"You're mighty clever, my son, aren't you?" said Eustace with asupercilious twist of the lips. "But--as it chances--not one of thoseexcellent reasons appeals to me. "

"Very well then, " said Scott, with the utmost patience. "It is up to youto accept. "

"Why should Isabel prefer Great Mallowes?" demanded Sir Eustace. "Sheknows the de Vignes. It is far better for her to see people, and there ismore comfort in a private house than in a hotel. "

"Quite so, " said Scott. "I am sure she will fall in with your wishes inthis respect, whatever they are. Will you write to Colonel de Vigne, orshall I?"

"You can--and accept, " returned Sir Eustace imperially. 

Scott took a sheet of paper without further words. 

His brother leaned back in his chair, his black brows slightly drawn, andcontemplated him as he did it. 

"By the way, Scott, " he said, after a moment, "Dinah's staying here neednot make any difference to you in any way. She can't expect to have youat her beck and call as she had in Switzerland. You must make that clearto her. "

"Very well, old chap. " Scott spoke without raising his head. "You'regoing to meet her at the station, I suppose?"

"Almost immediately, yes. " Eustace got up with a movement of suppressedimpatience. "We shall have tea in Isabel's room. You needn't turn up. I'll tell them to send yours in here. "

"Oh, don't trouble! I'm going to turn up, " very calmly Scott maderejoinder. He had already begun to write; his hand moved steadily acrossthe sheet. 

Sir Eustace's frown deepened. "You won't catch the post with thoseletters if you do. "

Scott looked up at last, and his eyes were as steady as his hand hadbeen. "That's my business, old chap, " he said quietly. "Don't you worryyourself about that!"

There was a hint of ferocity about Sir Eustace as he met that steadfastlook. He stood motionless for a moment or two, then flung round on hisheel. Scott returned to his work with the composure characteristic ofhim, and almost immediately the banging of the door told of his brother'sdeparture. 

Then for a second his hand paused; he passed the other across his eyeswith the old gesture of weariness, and a short, hard sigh came from himere he bent again to his task. 

Sir Eustace strode across the hall with the frown still drawing hisbrows. An open car was waiting at the door, but ere he went to it heturned aside and knocked peremptorily at another door. 

He opened without waiting for a reply and entered a long, low-ceiled roomthrough which the rays of the afternoon sun were pouring. Isabel, lyingon a couch between fire and window, turned her head towards him. 

"Haven't you started yet? Surely it is getting very late, " she said inher low, rather monotonous voice. 

He came to her. "I prefer starting a bit late, " he said. "You will havetea ready when we return?"

"Certainly, " she said. 

He stood looking down at her intently. "Are you all right today?" heasked abruptly. 

A faint colour rose in her cheeks. "I am--as usual, " she said. 

"What does that mean?" Curtly he put the question. "Why don't you go outmore? Why don't you get old Lister to make you up a tonic?"

She smiled a little, but there was slight uneasiness behind her smile. Her eyes had the remote look of one who watches the far horizon. "My dearEustace, " she said, "_cui bono_?"

He stooped suddenly over her. "It is because you won't make the effort, "he said, speaking with grim emphasis. "You're letting yourself go again, I know; I've been watching you for the past week. And by heaven, Isabel, you shan't do it! Scott may be fool enough to let you, but I'm not. You've only been home a week, and you've been steadily losing ground eversince you got back. What is it? What's the matter with you? Tell me whatis the matter!"

So insistent was his tone, so almost menacing his attitude, that Isabelshrank from him with a gesture too swift to repress. The old patheticfurtive look was in her eyes as she made reply. 

"I am very sorry. I don't see how I can help it. I--I am getting old, youknow. That is the chief reason. "

"You're talking nonsense, my dear girl. " Impatiently Eustace broke in. "You are just coming into your prime. I won't have you ruin your lifelike this. Do you hear me? I won't. If you don't rouse yourself I willfind a means to rouse you. You are simply drifting now--simply drifting. "

"But into my desired haven, " whispered Isabel, with a piteous quiver ofthe lips. 

He straightened himself with a gesture of exasperation. "You are wastingyourself over a myth, an illusion. On my soul, Isabel, what a wickedwaste it is! Have you forgotten the days when you and I roamed over theworld together? Have you forgotten Egypt and all we did there? Life wasworth having then. "

"Ah! I thought so. " She met his look with eyes that did not seem to seehim. "We were children then, Eustace, " she said, "children playing on thesands. But the great tide caught us. You breasted the waves, but I wasbroken and thrown aside. I could never play on the sands again. I canonly lie and wait for the tide to come again and float me away. "

He clenched his hands. "Do you think I would let you go--like that?" hesaid. 

"It is the only kindness you can do me, " she answered in her low voice ofpleading. 

He swung round to go. "I curse the day, " he said very bitterly, "that youever met Basil Everard! I curse his memory!"

She flinched at the words as if they had been a blow. Her face turnedsuddenly grey. She clasped her hands very tightly together, saying noword. 

He went to the door and paused, his back towards her. "I came in, " hesaid then, "to tell you that the de Vignes have offered to put us up attheir place for the wedding. And I have accepted. "

He waited for some rejoinder but she made none. It was as if she had notheard. Her eyes had the impotent, stricken look of one who has searcheddim distances for some beloved object--and searched in vain. 

He did not glance round. His temper was on edge. With a fierce movementhe pulled open the door and departed. And behind him like a veil therefell the silence of a great despair. 

CHAPTER IV

THE NEW HOME

A small figure was already standing outside the station when the car SirEustace drove whirled round the corner of the station yard. He wasgreeted by the waving of a vigorous hand, as he dashed up, grinding onthe brakes in the last moment as was his impetuous custom. Everyone knewhim from afar by his driving, and the village children were wont toscatter like rabbits at his approach. 

Dinah however stood her ground with a confidence which his wildperformance hardly justified, and the moment he alighted sprang to meethim with the eagerness of a child escaped from school. 

"Oh, Eustace, it is fun coming here! I was so horribly afraid somethingwould stop me just at the last. But everything has turned out all right, and we are going to have ever such a fine wedding with crowds and crowdsof people. Did you know Isabel wrote and said she would give me mywedding dress? Isn't it dear of her? How is she now?"

"Where is your luggage?" said Eustace. 

She pointed to a diminutive dress-basket behind her. "That's all thereis. I'm not to stay more than a week as the time is getting so short Idon't feel as if I shall ever be ready as it is. I've never been sorushed before. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be almost better to putit off a few weeks. "

"Jump up!" commanded Eustace, with a curt sign to a porter to pick up his_fiancée's_ humble impediments. 

Dinah sprang up beside him and slipped a shy hand onto his knee. "Youlook more like Apollo than ever, " she whispered, awe-struck, "when youfrown like that. Is anything the matter?"

His brow cleared magically at her action. "I began to think I should haveto come down to Perrythorpe and fetch you, " he said, grasping the littlenervous fingers. "I thought you meant to give me the slip--if you could. "

"Oh no!" said Dinah, shocked at the suggestion. "I wanted to come;only--only--I couldn't be spared sooner. It wasn't my fault, " she urgedpleadingly. "Truly it wasn't!"

He smiled upon her. "All right, --Daphne. I'll forgive you this time, " hesaid. "But now I've got you, my nymph of the woods, I am not going topart with you again in a hurry. And if you talk of putting off thewedding again, I'll simply run away with you. So now you know what toexpect. "

Dinah uttered her giddy little laugh. The excitement of this visit--thefirst she had ever paid to anyone--had turned her head. "Do you knowRose is actually going to be my chief bridesmaid?" she said. "Isn'tthat--magnanimous of her? She is pretending to be pleased, but I know sheis frightfully jealous underneath. The other bridesmaid is the Vicar'sdaughter. She is quite old, nearly thirty but I couldn't think of anyoneelse, except the infant schoolmistress, and they wouldn't let me haveher. I shall feel rather small, shan't I? Even Rose is twenty-five. Iwonder if I shall feel grown up when I'm married. Do you think I shall?"

"Not till you cease to be--Daphne, " said Sir Eustace enigmatically. 

He started the car with the words, and they shot forward with asuddenness that made Dinah hold her breath. 

But in a few moments she was chattering again, for she was never quietfor long. How was Scott? Was he at home? And Isabel--he hadn't told her. She did hope dear Isabel was keeping better. Was she? Was she?

She pressed the question as he did not seem inclined to answer it, andsaw again the frown that had darkened his handsome face upon arrival. 

"Do tell me!" she begged. "Isn't she so well?"

And at last with the curtness of speech which always denoted displeasurewith him, he made reply. 

"No, she has gone back a good deal since she got home. She lies on a sofaand broods all day long. I am looking to you to wake her up. For heaven'ssake be as lively as you can!"

"Oh, poor Isabel!" Quick concern was in Dinah's voice. "What is it, doyou think? Doesn't the place suit her?"

"Heaven knows, " he answered gloomily, "I have a house down atHeath-on-Sea where we keep the yacht, but I doubt if it would do hermuch good to go there this time of the year. She and Scott might tryit later--after the wedding. "

"Couldn't we all go there?" suggested Dinah ingenuously. 

He gave her a keen glance. "For the honeymoon? No I don't think so, " hesaid. 

"Only for the first part of it, " said Dinah coaxingly; "till Isabel feltbetter. "

He uttered a brief laugh. "No, thanks, Daphne. We're going to bealone--quite alone, for the first part of our honeymoon. I am going totake you in this car to the most out-of-the-way corner in England, where--even, if you run away--there'll be nowhere to run to. And thereyou'll stay till--" he paused a moment--"you realize that you are allmine for ever and ever, till in fact, you've shed all your baby nonsenseand become a wise little married woman. "

Dinah gave a sudden sharp shiver, and pulled her coat closer about her. 

He glanced at her again. "You'll like it better than being amaid-of-all-work, " he said, with his swift, transforming smile. 

She smiled back at him with ready responsiveness. "Oh, I shall! I'm sureI shall. I've always wanted to be married--always. Only--it'll seem alittle funny, just at first. You won't get impatient with me, will you, if--if sometimes I forget how to behave?"

He laughed and abruptly slackened speed. They were running down a narrowlane bordered with bare trees through which the spring sunshine filtereddown. On a brown upland to one side of them a plough was being driven. On the other the ground sloped away to deep meadows where wound awillow-banked river. 

The car stopped. "How pretty it is!" said Dinah. 

And then very suddenly she found that it was not for the sake of the viewthat he had brought her to a standstill in that secluded place. For hecaught her to him with the hot ardour she had learned to dread and kissedwith passion the burning face she sought to hide. 

She struggled for a few seconds like a captured bird, but in the end sheyielded palpitating, as she had yielded so often before, mutely bearingthat which her whole soul clamoured inarticulately to escape. When he lether go, her cheeks were on fire. He was laughing, but she was on theverge of tears. 

He started on again without words, and in a very brief space they wereracing forward at terrific speed, seeming scarcely to touch the ground sorapid was their progress. 

Dinah sat with her two hands clutched upon her hat, thankful for the coldrush of air that gave her relief after the fiery intensity of thoseunsparing kisses. Her heart was beating in great thumps. Somehow thefierceness of him always exceeded either memory or expectation. He was soterribly strong, so disconcertingly absolute in his demands upon her. Andevery time he seemed to take more. 

She hardly noticed anything further of the country through which theypassed. Her agitation possessed her overwhelmingly. She felt exhausted, unnerved, very curiously ashamed. It was good to have so princely alover, but his tempestuous wooing was altogether too much for her. Shewondered how Rose, the sedate and composed beauty, would have met thosewild gusts of passion. They would not have disconcerted her; nothing everdid. She would probably have endured all with a smile. No form ofadoration could come amiss with her. She did not fancy that Rose's heartwas capable of beating at more than the usual speed. Her very blushessavoured of a delicate complacency that enhanced her beauty withoutdisturbing her serenity. A great wave of envy went through Dinah. "Ah, why had she not been blessed with such a temperament as that?"

His voice broke in upon her disjointed meditations. "Well, Daphne?Feeling better?"

She glanced at him with the confused consciousness that she dared notmeet his eyes. She was glad that he was laughing, but the turbulentfeeling of uncertainty that his nearness always brought to her was withher still. She was as one who had passed by a raging fire, and thescorching heat of the flame yet remained with her. Breathlessly shespoke. "I can't think--or do anything--in this wind. Are we nearlythere?"

"We are there, " he made answer. 

And she discovered that which in her distress of mind she had failed tonotice. They were running smoothly along a private avenue of fir-treestowards an old stone mansion that stood on a slope overlooking the longriver valley. 

She drew a hard breath. "But this is better--ever so much--than theCourt!" she said. 

"Your future home, my queen!" said Sir Eustace royally. 

She breathed again deeply, wonderingly. "Is it real?" she said. 

He laughed. "I almost think so. You see that other house right away inthe distance, across that further slope? That is the Dower House whereIsabel and Scott are to live when we are married. "

"Oh!" There was a quick note of disappointment in Dinah's voice. "Ithought they would live with us. "

"I don't know why, " said Sir Eustace with a touch of sharpness, and thensoftening almost immediately, "It's practically the same thing, my spriteof the woods. But I wish you to be mistress in your own home--when we dosettle down, which won't be at present. For we're not coming back fromour honeymoon till you have learnt that I am the only person in the worldthat matters. "

Again a slight shiver caught Dinah, but she repressed it instantly. "Iexpect it won't take me very long to learn that, Apollo, " she said, withher shy, fleeting smile. 

And then they glided up to the wide steps of his home and the door openedto receive them, showing Scott--Scott her friend--standing in theopening, awaiting her. 

CHAPTER V

THE WATCHER

She sprang to meet him with a cry of delight, both hands extended. 

"Oh, it is good to see you again! It is good! It is good!" she panted. "Why didn't you come to Perrythorpe? I did want you there!"

He grasped her hands very tightly. His pale eyes smiled their welcome, but--it came to her afterwards--he scarcely said a word in greeting. In asecond or two he set her free. 

"Come and see Isabel!" he said. 

She went with him eagerly, forgetful of Sir Eustace striding in her wake. As Scott opened the door of Isabel's room, she pressed forward, and thenext moment she was kneeling by Isabel's side, gathered close, close toher breast in a silence that was deeper than any speech. 

Dinah's arms clung fast about the elder woman's neck. She was consciousof a curious impulse to tears, but she conquered it, forcing herselfsomewhat brokenly to laugh. 

"Isn't it lovely to be together again?" she whispered. "You can't thinkwhat it means to me. I lay in bed last night and counted the hours andthen the minutes. I was so dreadfully afraid something might happen toprevent my coming. And, oh, Isabel, I had no idea your home was sobeautiful. "

Isabel's hold slackened. "Sit on the sofa beside me, my darling!" shesaid. "I am so glad you like Willowmount. Was Eustace in time for yourtrain?"

Dinah laughed again with more assurance. "Oh no! I got there first. Hecame swooping down as if he had dropped from the clouds. We had a veryquick run back, and I'm blown all to pieces. " She put up impetuous handsto thrust back the disordered clusters of dark hair. 

"Take off your hat!" said Scott. 

She obeyed, with shining eyes upon him. "Now, why didn't you come overto Perrythorpe? You haven't told me yet. "

"I was busy, " he answered. "I had to get home. "

His eyes were shining also. She did not need to be told that he wasglad to see her. He rang for tea and sat down somewhere near in hisusual unobtrusive fashion. Eustace occupied the place of honour in aneasy-chair drawn close to the end of the sofa on which Dinah sat. Hewas watching her, she knew but she could not meet his look as she metScott's. His very nearness made her feel again the scorching of theflame. 

She slipped her hand into Isabel's as though seeking refuge and as shedid so she heard Eustace address his brother, his tone brief andperemptory, --the voice of the employer. 

"You have finished that correspondence?"

"I shall finish it in time for the post, " Scott made answer. 

Eustace made a sound expressive of dissatisfaction. "You'll miss it sureas a gun!"

Scott said nothing further, but his silence was not without a certainmastery that sent an odd little thrill of triumph through Dinah. 

Eustace frowned heavily and turned from him. 

The entrance of Biddy with the tea made a diversion, for her greeting ofDinah was full of warmth. 

"But sure, ye're not looking like I'd like to see ye, Miss Dinah, " washer verdict. "It's meself that'll have to feed ye up. "

"But I'm always thin!" protested Dinah. "It's just the way I'm made. "

Biddy pursed her lips and shook her head. "It's not the sign of acontented mind, " she commented. 

"I never was contented before I went to Switzerland, " said Dinah; sheturned to Isabel. "Wasn't it all lovely? It's just like a dream to menow--all glitter and romance. I'd give anything to have it over again. "

"I'll show you better things than winter in the Alps, " said Eustace inhis free, imperial fashion. 

Her bright eyes glanced up to his for a moment. "Do you know I don'tbelieve you could, " she said. 

He laughed. "You won't say that six months hence. The Alps will be nomore than an episode to you then. "

"Rather an important episode, " remarked Scott. 

Her look came to him, settled upon him like a shy bird at rest. "Very, very important, " she said softly. "Do you remember that first day--thatfirst night--how you helped me dress for the ball? Eustace would neverhave thought of dancing with me if it hadn't been for you. "

"I seem to have a good deal to answer for, " said Scott, with his rathertired smile. 

"I owe you--everything, " said Dinah. 

"Stumpy has many debtors, " said Isabel. 

Eustace uttered a brief laugh. "Stumpy scores without running, " heobserved. "He always has. Saves trouble, eh, Stumpy?"

"Quite so, " said Scott with precision. "It's easy to be kind when itcosts you nothing. "

"And it pays, " said Eustace. 

Dinah's green eyes went back to him with something of a flash. "Scottwould never have thought of that, " she said. 

"I am sure he wouldn't, " said Eustace dryly. 

Her look darted about him like an angry bird seeking some vulnerablepoint whereat to strike. But before she could speak, Scott leaned forwardand intervened. 

"My thoughts are my own private property, if no one objects, " he saidwhimsically. "Judge me--if you must--by my actions! But I should prefernot to be judged at all. Have you told Dinah about the invitation to thede Vignes's, Eustace?"

"No! They haven't asked you for the wedding surely!" Dinah's thoughtswere instantly diverted. "Have they really? I never thought they would. Oh, that will be fun! I expect Rose is trying to pretend she isn't--" Shebroke off, colouring vividly. "What a pig I am!" she said apologeticallyto Scott. "Please forget I said that!"

"But you didn't say it, " said Scott. 

"A near thing!" commented Eustace. "I had no idea Miss de Vigne was sosmitten. Stumpy, you'll be best man. You'll have to console her. "

"I believe the best man has to console everybody, " said Scott. 

"You are peculiarly well fitted for the task, " said his brother, settingdown his cup and pulling out a cigarette-case. "Be quick and quench yourthirst, Dinah. I want to trot you round the place before dark. "

Dinah looked at Isabel. "You'll come too?"

Isabel shook her head. "No, dear, I can't walk much. Besides, Eustacewill want you to himself. "

But a queer little spirit of perversity had entered into Dinah. She shookher head also. "We will go round in the morning, " she said, with aresolute look at her _fiancé_. "I am going to stay with Isabel to-night. You have had quite as much of me as is good for you; now haven't you?"

There was an instant of silence that felt ominous before somewhat curtlySir Eustace yielded the point. "I won't grudge you to Isabel if she wantsyou. You can both of you come up to the picture-gallery when you havedone. There's a fine view of the river from there. "

He got up with the words and Scott rose also. They went away together, and Dinah at once nestled to Isabel's side. 

"Now we can be cosy!" she said. 

Isabel put an arm about her. "You mustn't make me monopolize you, sweetheart, " she said. "I think Eustace was a little disappointed. "

"I'll be ever so nice to him presently to make up, " said Dinah. "But I dowant you now, Isabel!"

"What is it, dearest?"

Dinah's cheek rubbed softly against her shoulder. "Isabel--darling, Inever thought that you and Scott were going to leave this place becauseEustace was marrying me. "

Isabel's arm pressed her closer. "We are not going far away, darling. Itwill be better for you to be alone. "

"I don't think so, " said Dinah. "We shall be alone quite long enough onour honeymoon. " She trembled a little in Isabel's hold. "I do wish youwere coming too, " she whispered. 

"My dear, Eustace will take care of you, " Isabel said. 

"Oh yes, I know. But he's so big. He wants such a lot, " murmured Dinah indistress. "I don't know quite how to manage him. He's never satisfied. If--if only you were coming with us, he'd have something else to thinkabout. "

"Oh no, he wouldn't, dear. When you are present, he thinks of no oneelse. You see, " Isabel spoke with something of an effort, "he's in lovewith you. "

"Yes--yes, of course. I'm very silly. " Dinah dabbed her eyes and began tosmile. "But he makes me feel all the while as if--as if he wants to eatme. I know it's all my silliness; but I wish you weren't going to theDower House all the same. Shall you be quite comfortable there?"

"It is being done up, dear. You must come round with us and see it. Weshall move in directly the wedding is over, and then this place is to bedone up too, made ready for you. I believe you are to choose wall-papersand hangings while you are here. You will enjoy that. "

"If you will help me, " said Dinah. 

"Of course I will help you, dear child. I will always help you withanything so long as it is in my power. "

Very tenderly Isabel reassured her till presently the scared feelingsubsided. 

They went up later to the picture-gallery and joined Eustace whom theyfound smoking there. His mood also had changed by that time, and heintroduced his ancestors to Dinah with complete good humour. 

Isabel remained with them, but she talked very little in her brother'spresence; and when after a time Dinah turned to her she was startled bythe deadly weariness of her face. 

"Oh, I am tiring you!" she exclaimed, with swift compunction. 

But Isabel assured her with a smile that this was not so. She was alittle tired, but that was nothing new. 

"But you generally rest before dinner!" said Dinah, full ofself-reproach, "Eustace, ought she not to rest?"

Eustace glanced at his sister half-reluctantly, and a shade of concerncrossed his face also. "Are you feeling faint?" he asked her. "Do youwant anything?"

"No, no! Of course not!" She averted her face sharply from his look. "Goon talking to Dinah! I am all right. "

She moved to a deep window-embrasure, and sat down on the cushioned seat. The spring dusk was falling. She gazed forth into it with that look ofperpetual searching that Dinah had grown to know in the earliest days oftheir acquaintance. She was watching, she was waiting, --for what? Shelonged to draw near and comfort her, but the presence of Eustace madethat impossible. She did not know how to dismiss him. 

And then to her relief the door opened, and Scott came quietly in uponthem. He seemed to take in the situation at a glance, for after a fewwords with them he passed on to Isabel, sitting aloof and silent in thetwilight. 

She greeted him with a smile, and Dinah's anxiety lifted somewhat. Sheturned to Eustace. 

"Show me your den now!" she said. "I can see the rest of the houseto-morrow. "

And with a feeling that she was doing Isabel a service she went away withhim, alone. 

CHAPTER VI

THE WRONG ROAD

When Dinah descended to breakfast the next morning, she encountered Scottin the hall. He had evidently just come in from an early ride, and he waslooking younger and more animated than his wont. 

"Ah, there you are!" he said, coming to meet her. "I've got some shockingnews for you this morning. Eustace has had to go to town to see hissolicitor. An urgent telephone message came through this morning. He hasjust gone up by the early train in the hope of getting back in good time. He charged me with all sorts of messages for you, and I have promised totake care of you in his absence, if you will allow me. "

"Oh, that will be great fun!" exclaimed Dinah ingenuously, "I hope youare not very busy. I'd like you to show me everything. "

He laughed. "No, I can't do that. We must keep that for Eustace. But Iwill take you to the Dower House, and show you that. "

"I shall love that, " said Dinah. 

He took her into a room that overlooked terrace and river-valley and thesunny southern slope that lay between. 

Breakfast was laid for two, and a cheery fire was burning. "How cosy itlooks!" said Dinah. 

"It does, doesn't it?" said Scott. "We always breakfast here in thewinter for that reason. Not that it is winter to-day. It is gloriousspring. You seem to have brought it with you. Take the coffee-pot end, won't you? What will you have to eat?"

He spoke with a lightness that Dinah found peculiarly exhilarating. Hewas evidently determined that she should not be dull. Her spirits rose. She suddenly felt like a child who has been granted an unexpectedholiday. 

She smiled up at him as he brought her a plate. "Isn't it a perfectmorning? I'm so glad to be here. Don't let us waste a single minute; willwe?"

"Not one, " said Scott. 

He went to his own place. He was plainly in a holiday mood also. She sawit in his whole bearing, and her heart rejoiced. It was so good to seehim looking happy. 

"Have you seen Isabel this morning?" he asked her presently. 

"No. I went to her door, but Biddy said she was asleep, so I didn't goin. "

"She often doesn't sleep much before morning, " Scott said. "I expect shewill be down to luncheon if you can put up with me only till then. "

He evidently did not want to discuss Isabel's health just then, and Dinahwas quite willing also to let the subject pass for the time. It was amorning for happy thoughts only. She and Scott would pretend that theyhad not a care in the world. 

They breakfasted together as if it were a picnic. She had never seen himso cheery and inconsequent. It was as if he also were engaged in somespecies of make-believe. Or was it the enchantment of spring that hadfallen upon them both? Dinah could not have said. She only knew thatshe had never felt so happy in all her life before. 

The walk to the Dower House was full of delight. It was all so exquisite, the long, grassy slopes, the dark woods, the bare trees stark against theblue. The path led through a birch copse, and here in sheltered cornerswere primroses. She gathered them eagerly, and Scott helped her, evenforgetting to smoke. 

She did not remember later what they talked about, or even if they talkedat all. But the amazing gladness of her heart on that spring morning wasto be a vivid memory to her for as long as she lived. 

They reached the Dower House. Like Willowmount, it overlooked the river, but from a different angle. Dinah was charmed with the old place. It wasfull of unexpected corners and old-fashioned contrivances. Blue patchesof violets bloomed in the garden. Again with Scott's help, she gathered agreat dewy bunch. 

There were workmen in one or two of the rooms, and she stood by orwandered at will while Scott talked to the foreman. 

They found themselves presently in the room that was to be Isabel's, --alarge and sunlit apartment that had a turret window that looked to thefar hills beyond the river. Dinah stood entranced with her eyes upon theblue distance. Finally, with a sigh, she spoke. 

"How I wish I were going to live here too!"

"What! You like it better than Willowmount?" said Scott. 

She made a little gesture of the hands, as if she pleaded forunderstanding. "I feel so small in big places. This is spacious, but it'scosy too. I--I should feel lost alone at Willowmount. "

"But you won't be alone, " he pointed out, with his kindly smile. "Youwill be very much the reverse, I can assure you. "

She gave that sharp, uncontrollable little shiver of hers. "You meanEustace--" she said haltingly. 

"Yes, Eustace, and all the people round who will want to know his bride, "said Scott. "I don't think you will have much time to be lonely. If youhave, you can always come along to us, you know. We shall be only toodelighted to see you. "

Dinah turned to him impulsively. "You are good!" she said. "I wonder youdon't look upon me as a horrid little interloper, turning you out of yourhome where you have always lived! I do hate the thought of it! Really itisn't my fault. "

She spoke with tears in her eyes; but Scott still smiled. "My dearchild, " he said, "such an idea never entered my head. Isabel and I haveoften thought we should like to make this our home. We have alwaysintended to as soon as Eustace married. "

"Did you never think of marrying?" Dinah asked him suddenly. 

There was an instant's pause, and then, as he was about to speak, shebroke in quickly. 

"Oh, please don't tell me! I was a pig to ask! I didn't mean to. It justslipped out. Do forgive me!"

"But why shouldn't you ask?" said Scott gently. "We are friends. I don'tmind answering you. I've had my dream like the rest of the world. But itwas very soon over. I never seriously deluded myself into the belief thatanyone could care to marry a shrimp like me. "

"Oh, Scott!" Almost fiercely Dinah cut him short. "How can you--you ofall people--say a thing like that?"

Scott looked at her quizzically for a moment. "I should have thought Iwas the one person who could say it, " he observed. 

Dinah turned from him sharply. Her hands were clenched. "Oh no! Oh no!"she said incoherently. "It's not right! It's not fair! You--you--Mr. Greatheart!" Quite suddenly, as if the utterance of the name were toomuch for her, she broke down, covered her face, and wept. 

"Dinah!" said Scott. 

He came to her and took her very gently by the arm. Dinah's shoulderswere shaking. She could not lift her face. 

"Why--why shouldn't your dream come true too?" she sobbed. "You--who helpeverybody--to get what they want!"

"My dear, " Scott said, "my dream is over. Don't you grieve on my account!God knows I'm not grieving for myself. " His voice was low, but verysteadfast. 

"You wouldn't!" said Dinah. 

"No; because it's futile, unnecessary, a waste of time. I've other thingsto do--plenty of other things. " Scott braced himself with the words, asone who manfully lifts a burden. "Cheer up, Dinah! I didn't mean to makeyou sad. "

"But--but--are you sure--quite sure--she didn't care?" faltered Dinah, rubbing her eyes woefully. 

"Quite sure, " said Scott, with decision. 

Dinah threw him a sudden, flashing glance of indignation. "Then she was adonkey, Scott, a fool--an idiot!" she declared, with trembling vehemence. "I'd like--oh, how I'd like--to tell her so. "

Scott was smiling, his own, whimsical smile. "Yes, wouldn't you?" hesaid. "And it's awfully nice of you to say so. But do you know, you'requite wrong. She wasn't any of those things. On the other hand, I was allthree. But where's the use of talking? It's over, and a good thing too!"

Dinah slipped a quivering hand over his. "We'll always be friends, won'twe, Scott?" she said tremulously. 

"Always, " said Scott. 

She squeezed his hand hard, and in response his fingers pressed her arm. His steady eyes looked straight into hers. 

And in the silence, there came to Dinah a queer stirring ofuncertainty, --the uncertainty of one who just begins to suspect that heis on the wrong road. 

The moment passed, and they talked again of lighter things, but the moodof irresponsible light-heartedness had gone. When they finally left theDower House, Dinah felt that she trod the earth once more. 

"I shall come and see you very often when we come back, " she said ratherwistfully. "I hope Eustace won't want to be away a very long time. "

"Aren't you looking forward to your honeymoon?" asked Scott. 

"I don't know, " said Dinah, and paused. "I really don't know. But, "brightening, "I'm sure the wedding will be great fun. "

"I hope it will, " said Scott kindly. 

It was not till they were nearing Willowmount that Dinah asked him atlength hesitatingly about Isabel. 

"Do you mind telling me? Is she worse?"

Scott also hesitated a little before he answered. Then: "In one sense sheis much better, " he said. "But physically, " he paused, "physically she islosing ground. "

"Oh, Scott!" Dinah looked at him with swift dismay. "But why--why? Cannothing be done?"

His eyes met hers unwaveringly. "No, nothing, " he said, and he spoke withthat decision which she had come to know as in some fashion a part ofhimself. His words carried conviction, and yet by some means they quietedher dismay as well. He went on after a moment with that gentle philosophyof his that seemed to soften all he said. "She is as one nearing the endof a long journey, and she is very tired, poor girl. We can't grudge herher rest--when it comes. Eustace wants to rouse her, but I think the timefor that is past. It is kinder--it is wiser--to let her alone. "

Dinah drew a little nearer to him. "Do you mean--that you think she won'tlive very long?" she whispered. 

"If you like to put it that way, " Scott answered quietly. 

"Oh, but what of you?" she said. 

She uttered the words almost involuntarily, and the next moment she wouldhave recalled them, for she saw his face change. For a second--only asecond--she read suffering in his eyes. But he answered her withouthesitation. 

"I shall just keep on, Dinah, " he said. "It's the only way. But, as Ithink I've mentioned before, it's no good meeting troubles half-way. Theday's work is all that really matters. "

They walked on for a space in silence; then as they drew near the househe changed the subject. But that brief shadow of a coming desolationdwelt in Dinah's memory with a persistence that defied all lesser things. He was brave enough, cheery enough, in the shouldering of his burden; buther heart ached when she realized how heavy that burden must be. 

A message awaited her at the house that she would go to Isabel in hersitting-room, and she went, half-eager, half-diffident. But as soon asshe was with her friend her doubts were all gone. For Isabel looked andspoke so much as usual that it seemed impossible to believe that she wasindeed nearing the end of the journey. 

She wanted to know all that Dinah had been doing, and they sat anddiscussed the decorations of the Dower House till the luncheon-hour. 

When luncheon was over they repaired to a sheltered corner of theterrace, looking down over the garden to the river, while Scott went awayto write letters; and here they talked over the serious matter of thetrousseau with regard to which neither Dinah nor her mother had made anyvery definite arrangements. 

Perhaps Mrs. Bathurst had foreseen the possibility of Isabel desiring toundertake this responsibility. Perhaps Isabel had already dropped a hintof her intention. In any case it seemed the most natural thing in theworld that Isabel should be the one to assist and advise, and when Dinahdemurred a little on the score of cost she found herself gently but quiteeffectually silenced. Sir Eustace's bride must have a suitable outfit, Isabel told her. The question of ways and means was not one which needtrouble her. 

So Dinah obediently put the matter from her, and entered into thedelightful discussion with keen zest. Isabel's ideas were so entrancing. She knew exactly what she would need. Her taste also was so simple, andso unerring. Dinah had never before pictured herself as possessing suchthings as Isabel calmly proclaimed that she must have. 

"We must go up to town to-morrow, " Isabel said, "and get things started. It will mean the whole day, I am afraid. Can you bear to be parted fromEustace for so long?"

Dinah laughed merrily at the question. "Of course--of course! What fun itwill be! I always knew I should like to be married, but I never dreamt itcould be so exciting as this. "

Isabel smiled at her with a touch of pity in her eyes. "Marriage isn'tonly new clothes and wedding presents, Dinah, " she said. 

"No, no! I know!" Dinah spoke with swift compunction. "It is far morethan that. But I've never had such lovely things before. I can't helpfeeling a little giddy about it. You do understand, don't you? I'm notlike that all through--really. "

"My darling!" Isabel answered fondly. "Of course I know it. I sometimesthink that it would be better for you if you were. "

"Isabel, why--why?" Dinah pressed close to her, half-curious, half-frightened. 

But Isabel did not answer her. She only kissed the vivid, upturned facewith all a mother's tenderness, and turned back in silence, to thefashion-book on her knee. 

CHAPTER VII

DOUBTING CASTLE

When Sir Eustace returned, he found his bride-elect awaiting him with aradiant face. She sprang to greet him with an eagerness that outwent allshyness. 

"Oh, Eustace, I have had such a lovely time!" she told him. "It has beena perfect day. "

She offered him her lips with a child's simplicity, but blushed deeplywhen she felt the hot pressure of his, turning her face aside the momenthe released her. 

He laughed a little, keeping his arm about her shoulders. "You haven'tmissed me then?" he said. 

"Oh, not a bit, " said Dinah truthfully; and then quickly, "but what ahorrid thing to say! Why did you put it like that?"

"I wanted to know, " said Sir Eustace. 

She turned back to him. "I should have missed you if I hadn't been sobusy. Isabel is going to help me with my trousseau. And oh, Eustace, I amto have such a crowd of lovely things. "

He pinched her cheek. "What should a brown elf need beyond a shift ofthistle-down? Where is Isabel?"

"She is resting now. She got so tired. Biddy said she must lie down, andwe mustn't disturb her for tea. I do hope it wasn't too much for her, Eustace. "

"Too much for her! Nonsense! It does her good to think of someone elsebesides herself, " said Eustace. "If Biddy didn't coddle her so in the daytime, she would sleep better at night. Well, where is tea? In thedrawing-room? Come along and have it!"

Dinah clung to his arm. "It--it's in a place called my lady's boudoir, "she told him shyly. 

He looked at her. "Where? Oh, I know. That inner sanctuary with the westwindow. You've taken a fancy to it, have you? Then we will call itDaphne's Bower. "

Dinah's laugh was not without a hint of restraint. "I haven't been in anyother room. Scott said you would show me everything. But I just wanderedin there, and he found me and showed me the dear little boudoir. He saidyou were going to have it done up. "

"So I am, " said Eustace. "Everything that belongs to you must be new. Have you decided what colour will suit you best?"

They were passing through the long drawing-room towards the curtaineddoorway that led into the little boudoir. The drawing-room was a palatialapartment with stately French furniture that Dinah surveyed with awe. Shecould not picture herself as hostess in so magnificent a setting. Shecould only think of Rose de Vigne. It would have suited her flawlessbeauty perfectly, and she knew that Rose's self-contained heart wouldhave revelled in such an atmosphere. 

But it made her feel a stranger, and she hastened through it to thecosier nest beyond. 

This was a far more homely spot. The furniture here was French also, andexquisitely delicate; but it was designed for comfort, and the gildedstate of the outer room was wholly absent. 

A tea-table stood near a deeply-cushioned settee, and the kettle sangmerrily over a spirit-lamp. 

Eustace dropped on to the settee and drew her suddenly and whollyunexpectedly down upon his knee. 

"Oh, Eustace!" she gasped, turning crimson. 

He wound his arms about her, holding her two hands imprisoned. "Oh, Daphne!" he mocked softly. "I've caught you--I've caught you! Here inyour own bower with no one to look on! No, you can't even flutter yourwings now. You've got to stay still and be worshipped. "

He spoke with his face against her neck. She felt the burning of hisbreath, and something;--an urgent, inner prompting--warned her to submit. She sat there in his grasp in quivering silence. 

His arms drew her nearer, nearer. It was as if he were gradually mergingher whole being into his. In a moment, with a little gasp, she gave himher trembling lips. 

He uttered a low laugh of mastery and gave his passion the rein, overwhelming her with those devouring kisses that from the very outsethad always filled her with an indefinable sense of shame. She was quitepowerless to frustrate him. The delicate barrier of her reserve wasrudely torn away. The burning blush on face and neck served but to feedthe flame. He kissed the panting throat as if he would draw the very lifeout of it. There was fierce possession in the holding of his arms. Shethought she would never be free again. 

The first fiery wave spent itself at last, but even then he did not lether go. He held her pressed to him, and she lay against his breasttrembling but wholly passive, overcome by an inexplicable longing tohide, to hide. 

After a few seconds he spoke to her, his voice oddly unsteady, very deep. "You're driving me mad, Daphne. Do you know that?"

"I--I'm sorry, " she faltered, trying to shelter her tingling face in hiscoat. 

His arms were tense about her. "I want you more and more every day, " hesaid. "I don't know how to wait for you. How long is it to our wedding?"

"Three weeks and four days, " she told him faintly. 

He gave his low, quivering laugh, "What! You are counting the days too!Daphne! My Daphne! Need we wait--all that time?"

Dinah's thumping heart gave a great start and seemed to stop. "Oh yes, "she gasped desperately. "Yes, I couldn't possibly--be ready sooner. "

He put his face down to hers, as one who breathes the essence of aflower. "You are ready now, " he said. "You will never be lovelier thanyou are to-night. "

She tried to laugh, but his lips were too near. Her voice quaveredpiteously. 

"Why do I wait for you?" he said, and in his words there beat a fierceunrest. "Why am I such a fool? I lie awake night after night consumedwith the want of you. When I sleep, I am always chasing you, youwill-o'-the-wisp; and you always manage to keep just out of reach. " Hisarms tightened. His voice suddenly sank to a deep whisper. "Daphne! ShallI tell you what I am going to do?"

"What?" panted Dinah. 

"I am going to take you right away over the hills to-morrow to a place Iknow of where it is as lonely as the Sahara, and we will have a picnicthere all to ourselves--all to ourselves, and make up for to-day. "

His lips pressed hers again, but she withdrew herself with a sharpeffort. There was nameless terror in her heart. 

"Oh, I can't, Eustace! I can't indeed!" she said, and now she wasstriving, striving impotently, for freedom. "I'm going up to town withIsabel. "

"Isabel can wait, " he said. 

"No! No! I must go. You don't understand. There are no end of things tobe done. " Dinah was as one encircled by fire, searching wildly round fora means of escape. "I must go!" she said again. "I must go!"

"You can go the next day, " he said with arrogance. "I want you to-morrowand I mean to have you. Look at me, Dinah!"

She glanced at him, compelled by the command of his tone, met the fieryintensity of his look, and sank helpless, conquered. 

He kissed her again. "There! That's settled. You silly little thing! Whydo you always beat your wings against the inevitable? Do you think youare going to get away from me now?"

She hid her face against his shoulder. She was almost in tears. "You--youhurt me! You frighten me!" she whispered. 

"Do I?" he said, and still in his voice she heard that deep note thatmade her whole being quiver. "It's your own fault, my Daphne. Youshouldn't run away. "

"I--I can't help it, " she said tremulously. "I sometimes think--I'mnot big enough for you. "

"You'll grow, " he said. 

"I don't know, " she answered in distress. "I may not. And if I do, Ifeel--I feel as if I shan't be myself any longer, but just--but just--abit of you!"

He laughed. "Daphne, --you oddity! Don't you want to be a bit of me?"

"I'd rather be myself, " she murmured shyly. 

His hold was not so close, and she longed, but did not dare, to get offhis knee and breathe. But in that moment there came the sound of ahalting step in the drawing-room beyond, and swiftly she raised her head. 

"Oh, Eustace, let me go! Here is Scott!"

He did not release her instantly. Scott was already in the doorwaybefore, like a frightened fawn, she leapt from his grasp. She heardEustace laugh again, and somehow his laugh had a note of insolence. 

"Come in, my good brother!" he said. "My lady is just about to make tea. I presume that is what you have come for. "

"The presumption is correct, " said Scott. 

He came forward in his quiet, unhurried fashion, and paused at the tableto open the tea-caddy for Dinah. 

She thanked him with trembling lips, her eyes cast down, her face onfire. 

Eustace lounged back on the settee and watched her. He frownedmomentarily when Scott sat down beside him, leaving her a low chair bythe tea-tray. 

Dinah's hands fluttered among the cups. She was painfully ill at ease. But in a second or two Scott's placid voice came into the silence, and atonce her distress began to subside. 

"Have you decided about the decoration of this room yet?" he asked. "Ialways thought this dead-white rather cold. "

"Dinah is to have her own choice, " said Sir Eustace. 

"I would like shell-pink, " said Dinah, without looking up. "Don't youthink that would be nice with those pretty water-colour sketches?"

She spoke diffidently. No one had ever deferred to her taste before. 

Sir Eustace laughed in his slightly supercilious way. "Do you know who isresponsible for those pretty sketches, my red, red rose?"

She glanced up nervously. "Not--not--are they yours, Scott?"

"They are, " said Scott, with a smile. 

She met his eyes for an instant, and was surprised by their gravity. "Oh, I do like them, " she said. "I wonder I didn't guess. They are sobeautifully finished, so--complete. "

"I am glad you like them, " said Scott. "I thought you might want to turnthem out as lumber. "

"As if I should!" she said. "I love them--every one of them. I shall lovethem better still now I know they are yours. "

"Thank you, " said Scott. 

Eustace turned his attention to him. "No one ever paid you such acompliment as that before, my good Stumpy, " he observed. "If everyone sawyou in that light, you'd be a great artist by now. "

"I wonder, " said Scott. 

Dinah sent him another swift glance. She seemed on the verge of speech, but checked herself, and there fell a brief silence. 

It was broken by the entrance of a servant. "If you please, Sir Eustace, Mr. Grey is in the library and would be glad if you could spare him a fewminutes. "

Sir Eustace uttered an impatient exclamation. "You go and see what hewants, Stumpy!" he said. 

But Scott remained seated. "I know what he wants, my dear chap, and it'ssomething that only you can give. He has come about Bob Jelf who wascaught poaching last week. He wants you to give the fellow as light asentence as possible on account of his wife. "

Sir Eustace frowned. "I never give a light sentence for poaching. He'salways at it, I'd give him the cat if I could. "

Scott raised his shoulders slightly. "Well, don't ask me to say that toMr. Grey! He's taking the whole business badly to heart, as he wasbeginning to look on Jelf as a reformed character. "

"I'll reform him!" said Sir Eustace. He turned to the servant. "Ask Mr. Grey to join us here!"

"You had better see him alone first, " said Scott. 

"Why?" His brother turned upon him almost savagely. 

Scott took up his tea-cup. "You can't refuse to give him a hearing, " heobserved. "He has come up on purpose. "

Sir Eustace murmured something under his breath and rose. His look fellupon Dinah. "It's the village padre, " he said. "I shall have to bring himin here. I hope you don't mind?"

She gave him a quick, half-startled smile. "Of course not. "

He turned to the door which the waiting servant was holding open, andstrode out with annoyed majesty. 

Dinah watched him till the door closed; then very suddenly and urgentlyshe turned to Scott. 

"Oh, please, will you help me?" she said. 

He gave her a straight, keen look that seemed to penetrate to her soul. "If it lies in my power, " he said slowly. 

She caught her breath, pierced by a sharp uncertainty. "You can. I'm sureyou can, " she said. 

He set down his cup. "Dinah, " he said gently, "don't ask me to interferein your affairs if you can by any means manage without!"

"But that's just it!" she said in distress. "I can't. "

He leaned forward. "My dear, don't be agitated!" he said. "Tell me whatis the matter!"

Dinah leaned forward also, her hands tightly clasped, and spoke in arapid whisper. 

"Scott, Eustace wants me to go for an all-day picnic alone with himto-morrow. I--don't want to go. "

He was still looking at her with that straight, almost stern regard. Anodd little quiver went through her as she met it. She felt as if she werein a fashion on her trial. 

"Why don't you want to go?" he asked. 

She hesitated. "I was to have gone up to town with Isabel to shop, " shesaid. 

"No, that isn't the reason, " he said. "Tell me the reason!"

She made a quick gesture of appeal. "I--wish you wouldn't ask, " shefaltered, and suddenly she could meet his eyes no longer. She lowered herown, and sat before him in burning confusion. 

"Have you asked yourself?" he said, his voice very low. 

She was silent; the quiet question seemed to probe her through andthrough. There was no evading it. 

Scott was still watching her very closely, very intently. He spoke atlength, just as she was beginning to feel his scrutiny to be more thanshe could bear. 

"If you are just shy with him--as I think you are--I think you ought totry and get over it, as much for his sake as for your own. You don't wantto hurt him, do you? You wouldn't like him to be disappointed?"

Dinah shook her head. "If you could come too!" she suggested, in a verysmall voice. 

"No, I can't, " said Scott firmly. 

She sent him a darting glance. "Are you angry with me?" she said. 

"I!" said Scott in amazement. 

"You--spoke as if you were, " she said. "And you looked--quite grim. "

He laughed a little. "If you are afraid of me, you must indeed be easilyfrightened. No, of course I am not angry. Dinah! Dinah! Don't be silly!"

Her lips were quivering, but in response to his admonishing tone sheforced them to smile. "I know I am silly, " she said, with an effort. "I--I'm not nearly good enough for Eustace. And I'm a dreadful littlecoward, I know. But he does frighten me. When he kisses me--I alwayswant to run away. "

"But you wouldn't like it if he didn't, " said Scott, in the voice of thephilosopher. 

"Shouldn't I?" said Dinah. "I wonder. It--wouldn't be him, would it?"

"And what are you going to do when you are married?" said Scott, pointblank. "You'll see much more of him then. "

"Oh, I expect I shall feel different then, " said Dinah. "Married peopleare different, aren't they? They are not always going off by themselvesand kissing in corners. "

"Not as a rule, " admitted Scott. "But I've been told that there isusually a good deal of that sort of thing done during the honeymoon. "

"That's different too, " Dinah's voice was slightly dubiousnotwithstanding. "But we are not on our honeymoon yet. Scott, couldn'tyou--just for once--help me to--to find an excuse not to go? It wouldbe--so dear of you. "

She spoke with earnest entreaty, her eyes frankly raised to his. 

Scott looked into them with steady searching before he finally responded. "I will speak to him if you like. I don't know that I shall besuccessful. But--if you wish it--I will try. "

"Oh, thank you, " she said. "Thank you. " And then quickly, "You're sureyou don't mind? Sure you're not afraid?"

"Oh, quite sure of that, " said Scott. 

Her eyes expressed open admiration. "I can't think how you manage not tobe, " she said. 

He smiled with a touch of sadness. "Perhaps I am not so weak as I look, "he said. 

"You--weak!" said Dinah. "Why, you are the strongest man I ever met. "

Scott smothered a sudden sigh. "Which only proves how very little youknow about me, " he said. 

But Dinah shook her head, wholly unconvinced. Here at least she wasabsolutely sure of her ground. 

"'Mr. Greatheart was a strong man, '" she quoted, "'and he was not afraidof a Lion. '"

"There are sometimes worse things than lions in the path, " said Scottgravely. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE VICTORY

The return of Sir Eustace, marshalling the Vicar before him, put an endto further confidences. 

Dinah rose nervously to receive the new-comer--a tall, thin man, elderly, with a grave, intellectual face and courteous manner, who looked at herwith a gleam of surprise as he took her shyly proffered hand. 

"It is a great privilege to meet you, " he said then, and Dinah perceivedat once that he had prepared that remark for someone much more imposingthan herself, and had not time to readjust it. 

She thanked him, and he sat down at Scott's invitation and fell into atroubled silence. 

Sir Eustace was looking decidedly formidable, and it was not difficult tosee that he had just given an unqualified refusal to his visitor'searnest request. 

It was Scott as usual who came to the rescue, breaking through theVicar's abstraction to ask for details concerning certain additions thatwere being made to the Cottage Hospital. He drew Dinah also into theconversation, taking it for granted that she would be interested; andpresently Mr. Grey brightened somewhat, launching into what was evidentlya favourite topic. 

"We are hoping, " he said, "that the new wing will be completed by the endof June, and it is expected that the Parish Council will request LadyStudley to be good enough to declare it open. "

He looked at Dinah with the words, and she realized their significancewith a sharp shock. "Oh, do you mean me?" she said. "I don't think Icould. "

"It wouldn't be a very difficult business, " said Scott reassuringly. 

"Oh, I couldn't!" she said. "Why--why, there would be crowds of people, wouldn't there?"

"I hope to get a few of the County, " said Mr. Grey, "to support you. "

"That makes it worse, " said Dinah. 

Scott laughed. "Eustace and I will come too and take care of you. Yousee, the Lady of the Manor has to do these tiresome things. "

"Oh! I'll come if you want me, " said Dinah. "But I've never done anythinglike that before and I can't think what the County will say. You see, Idon't belong. "

"Snap your fingers in its face, and it won't bite you!" said Eustace. "You will belong by that time. "

Mr. Grey smiled a very kindly smile that had in it a touch of compassion. He said nothing, but in a few minutes he rose to take his leave, andthen, with Dinah's hand held for a moment in his, he said in a low voice, "I wish I might enlist your sympathy on behalf of one of my parishioners. His wife is dying of cancer, and he is to be sent to gaol for poaching. "

"Oh!" Dinah exclaimed in distress. 

She looked quickly across at her _fiancé_, and saw that his brow wasdark. 

He said nothing whatever, and she went to him impulsively. "Eustace, mustyou send him to prison?"

He looked at her for a second, then turned, without responding, to theVicar. "That was a very unnecessary move on your part, sir, " he saidicily. "I have told you my decision in the matter, and there it mustrest. Justice is justice. "

Dinah was looking at him very pleadingly; he laid his hand upon her arm, and she felt his fingers close with a strong, restraining pressure. 

Mr. Grey turned to go. "I make no excuse, Sir Eustace, " he said. "I ambegging for mercy, not justice. My cause is urgent. If one weapon fails, I must employ another. "

He went out with Scott, and Dinah was left alone with Sir Eustace. 

He spoke at once, sternly and briefly, before she had time to open herlips. "Dinah, this is no matter for your interference. I forbid you topursue it any further. "

His tone was crushingly absolute; she saw that he was white with anger. 

She felt the colour die out of her own cheeks as she faced him. But theVicar's few words had made a deep impression upon her; she forced backher fear. 

"But, Eustace, is it true?" she said. "Is the man's wife really dying? Ifso--if so--surely you will let him off!"

His grasp upon her arm tightened. "Are you going to disobey me?" he saidwarningly. 

His look was terrible, but she braved it. "Yes--yes, I am, " she said, with desperate courage. "Eustace, I've never asked you to do anythingbefore. Couldn't you--can't you--do this one thing?"

She met the blazing wrath of his eyes though her heart felt stiff withfear. It had come so suddenly, this ordeal, but she braced herself tomeet it. Horrible though it was to withstand him, the thought came to herthat if she did not make the effort just once she would never have thestrength again. 

"You think me very impertinent, " she said, speaking quickly throughquivering lips. "But--but--I have a right to speak. If I am to be--yourwife, you must not treat me as--a servant. "

She saw his look change. The anger went out of it, but something that wasmore terrible to her took its place, something that she could not meet. 

She flinched involuntarily, and in the same moment he drew her close tohim. "Ah, Daphne, the adorable!" he said. "I've never seen you at baybefore! You claim your privileges, do you? You think I can refuse younothing?"

She shrank at his tone--the mastery of it, the confidence, the caress. 

"You needn't be afraid, " he said, and bent his face to hers. "Whateveryou wish is law. But don't forget one thing! If I refuse you nothing, Imust have everything in exchange. 'Love the gift is Love the debt, ' myDaphne. You must give me freely all that you have in return. "

She trembled in his embrace. Those passionate words of hisfrightened her anew. Was it possible--would it ever be possible--togive him--freely--all that she had?

The doubt shot through her like the stab of a dagger even while she gavehim the kiss he demanded for her audacity. Her victory over him amazedher, so appalling had seemed the odds. But in a fashion it dismayed hertoo. He was too mighty a giant to kneel at her feet for long. He wouldexact payment in full, she was sure, she was sure, for all that he gaveher now. 

She was thankful when a ceremonious knock at the door compelled him torelease her. Biddy presented herself very upright, primly correct. 

"If ye please, Miss Dinah, Mrs. Everard is awake and will be pleased tosee ye whenever it suits ye to go to her at all. "

"Oh, I'll go now, " said Dinah with relief. She glanced at Eustace. "Youdon't mind? You don't want me?"

"No, I have some business to discuss with Stumpy, " he said. "Perhaps Iwill join you presently. "

He took out a cigarette and lighted it, and Dinah turned; and went awaywith the old woman. 

"And it's to be hoped he'll do nothing of the kind, " remarked Biddy, asthey walked through the long drawing-room. "For the very thought of himis enough to drive poor Miss Isabel scranny, specially in the evening. "

"Is--is Miss Isabel so afraid of him?" asked Dinah under her breath. 

Biddy nodded darkly. "She is that, Miss Dinah, and small blame to her. "

Dinah pressed suddenly close. "Biddy, why?"

Biddy pursed her lips. "Faith, and it's meself that's afraid, ye'll findthe answer to that only too soon, Miss Dinah dear!" she said solemnly. "Ican't tell ye the straight truth. Ye wouldn't believe me if I did. Yemust watch for yourself, me jewel. Ye've got a woman's intelligence. Don't ye be afraid to use it!"

It was the soundest piece of advice that she had ever heard fromBiddy's lips, and Dinah accepted it in silence. She had known for sometime that Biddy had small love for Sir Eustace, but it was evident thatthe precise reason for this was not to be conveyed in words. She wishedshe could have persuaded her to be more explicit, but something held herback from attempting to gain the information that Biddy withheld. It wasbetter--surely it was sometimes better--not to know too much. 

They met Scott as they turned out of the drawing-room, and Biddy's grimold face softened at the sight of him. 

He paused: "Hullo! Going to Isabel? Has she had a good rest, Biddy?"

"Glory to goodness, Master Scott, she has!" said Biddy fervently. 

"That's all right. " Scott prepared to pass on. "Eustace hasn't gone, Isuppose?"

"No, he is in there, waiting for you. " Dinah detained him for a moment. "Scott, he--I think he is going to--to let that man off with a lightsentence. "

"What?" said Scott. "Dinah, you witch! How on earth did you do it?"

He looked so pleased that her heart gave a throb of triumph. It had beenwell worth while just to win that look from him. 

She smiled back at him. "I don't know. I really don't know. But, --Scott"--she became a little breathless--"if--if he really wantsme to-morrow, I think--p'raps--I'd better go. "

Scott gave her his straight, level look. There was a moment's pausebefore he said, "Wait till to-morrow comes anyway!" and with that he wasgone, limping through the great room with that steady but unobtrusivepurpose that ever, to Dinah's mind, redeemed him from insignificance. 

"Ah! He's the gentleman is Master Scott, " said Biddy's voice at her side. "Ye'll never meet his like in all the world. It's a sad life he leads, poor young gentleman, but he keeps a brave heart though never a singlejoy comes his way. May the Almighty reward him and give him his desirebefore it's too late. "

"What desire?" asked Dinah. 

Biddy shot her a lightning glance from her beady eyes ere againmysteriously she shook her head. 

"And it's the innocent lamb that ye are entirely, Miss Dinah dear, " shesaid. 

With which enigmatical answer Dinah was forced to be content. 

CHAPTER IX

THE BURDEN

Sir Eustace was standing by the window of the little boudoir when hisbrother entered, and Scott joined him there. He also lighted a cigarette, and they smoked together in silence for several seconds. 

Finally Eustace turned with his faint, supercilious smile. "What's thematter, Stumpy? Something on your mind?"

Scott met his look. "Something I've got to say to you anyway, old chap, that rather sticks in my gullet. "

Sir Eustace laughed. "You carry conscience enough for the two of us. Whatis it? Fire away!"

Scott puffed at his cigarette. "You won't like it, " he observed. "Butit's got to be said. Look here, Eustace! It's all very well to be inlove. But you're carrying it too far. The child's downright afraid ofyou. "

"Has she told you so?" demanded Eustace. A hot gleam suddenly shone inhis blue eyes. He looked down at Scott with a frown. 

Scott shook his head. "If she had, I shouldn't tell you so. But the factremains. You're a bit of an ogre, you know, always have been. Slack off abit, there's a good fellow! You'll find it's worth it. "

He spoke with the utmost gentleness, but there was determination in hisquiet eyes. Having spoken, he turned them upon the garden again andresumed his cigarette. 

There fell a brief silence between them. Sir Eustace was no longersmoking. His frown had deepened. Suddenly he laid his hand upon Scott'sshoulder. 

"It's my turn now, " he said. "I've something to say to you. "

"Well?" said Scott. He stiffened a little at the hold upon him, but hedid not attempt to frustrate it. 

"Only this. " Eustace pressed upon him as one who would convey a warning. "You've interfered with me more than once lately, and I've borne withit--more or less patiently. But I'm not going to bear with it muchlonger. You may be useful to me, but--you're not indispensable. Rememberthat!"

Scott started at the words, as a well-bred horse starts at the flicker ofthe whip. He controlled himself instantly, but his eyelids quivered alittle as he answered, "I will remember it. "

Sir Eustace's hand fell. "I think that is all that need be said, " heobserved. "We will get to business. "

He turned from the window, but in the same moment Scott wheeled also andtook him by the arm. "One moment!" he said. "Eustace, we are not going toquarrel over this. You don't imagine, do you, that I interfere with youin this way for my own pleasure?"

He spoke urgently, an odd wistfulness in voice and gesture. 

Sir Eustace paused. The sternness still lingered in his eyes though hisface softened somewhat as he said, "I haven't gone into the question ofmotives, Stumpy. I have no doubt they are--like yourself--very worthy, though it might not soothe me greatly to know what they are. "

Scott still held his arm. "Oh, man, " he said very earnestly, "don't missthe best thing in life for want of a little patience! She's such a child. She doesn't understand. For your own sake give her time!"

There was that in his tone that somehow made further offence impossible. A faint, half-grudging smile took the place of the grimness on hisbrother's face. 

"You take things so mighty seriously, " he said. "What's the matter? Whathas she been saying?"

Scott hesitated. "I can't tell you that. I imagine it is more what shedoesn't say that makes me realize the state of her mind. I can tell youone thing. She would rather go shopping with Isabel to-morrow thanpicnicking in the wilderness with you, and if you're wise, you'll give inand let her go. You'll run a very grave risk of losing her altogetherif you ask too much. "

"What do you mean?" Eustace's voice was short and stern; the question waslike a sword thrust. 

Again Scott hesitated. Then very steadily he made reply. "I meanthat--with or without reason, you know best--she is beginning not totrust you. It is more than mere shyness with her. She is genuinelyfrightened. "

His words went into silence, and in the silence he took out hishandkerchief and wiped his forehead. It had been a more difficultinterview for him than Eustace would ever realize. His powers ofendurance were considerable, but he had an almost desperate desire now toescape. 

But some instinct kept him where he was. To fail at the last moment forlack of perseverance would have been utterly uncharacteristic of him. Itwas his custom to stand his ground to the last, whatever the cost. 

And so he forced himself to wait while his brother contemplated theunpleasant truth that he had imparted. He knew that it was not in hisnature to spend long over the process, but he was still by no means sureof the final result. 

Eustace spoke at length very suddenly. "See here, Stumpy!" he said. "There may be something in what you say, and there may not. But in anycase, you and Dinah are getting altogether too intimate and confidentialto please me. It's up to you to put the brake on a bit. Understand?"

He smiled as he said it, but there was a gleam as of cold steel behindhis smile. 

Scott straightened himself. It was as if something within him leapt tomeet the steel. Spent though he was, this was a matter no man couldshirk. 

"I shall do nothing of the kind, " he said. "Do you think I'd destroy hertrust in me too? I'd sell my soul sooner. "

The words were passionate, and the man as he uttered them seemed suddenlygalvanized with a new force, a force irresistible, elemental, evensublime. The elder brother's brows went up in amazement. He did not knowStumpy in that mood. He found himself confronted with a power colossalmanifested in the meagre frame, and before that power instinctively, wholly involuntarily, he gave ground. 

"I see you mean to please yourself, " he said, and turned to go with asub-conscious feeling that if he lingered he would have the worst of it. "But I warn you if you get in my way, you'll be kicked. So look out!"

It was not a conciliatory speech, but it was the outcome of undoubteddiscomfiture. He was so accustomed to submission from Scott that he hadcome to look upon it as inevitable. His sudden self-assertion was oddlydisconcerting. 

So also was the laugh that followed his threat, a careless laugh whollydevoid of bitterness which yet in some fashion inexplicable pierced hisarmour, making him feel ashamed. 

"You know exactly what I think of that sort of thing, don't you?" Scottsaid. "That's the best of having no special physical attractions. Onedoesn't need to think of appearances. "

Sir Eustace made no rejoinder. He could think of nothing to say; for heknew that Scott's attitude was absolutely sincere. For physical sufferinghe cared not one jot. The indomitable spirit of the man lifted him aboveit. He was fashioned upon the same lines as the men who faced the lionsof Rome. No bodily pain could ever daunt him. 

He went from the room haughtily but in his heart he carried an oddmisgiving that burned and spread like a slow fire, consuming his pride. Scott had withstood him, Scott the weakling, and in so doing had made himaware of a strength that exceeded his own. 

As for Scott, the moment he was alone he drew a great breath of relief, and almost immediately after opened the French window and passed quietlyout into the garden. 

The dusk was falling, and the air smote chill; yet he moved slowly forth, closing the window behind him and so down into the desolate shrubberieswhere he paced for a long, long time.... 

When he went to Isabel's room more than an hour later, his eyes wereheavy with weariness, and he moved like a man who bears a burden. 

She was alone, and looked up at his entrance with a smile of welcome. "Come and sit down, Stumpy! I've seen nothing of you. Dinah has only justleft me. She tells me Eustace is talking of a picnic for to-morrow, butreally she ought to give her mind to her trousseau if she is ever to beready in time. Do you think Eustace can be induced to see reason?"

"I don't know, " Scott said. He seated himself by Isabel's side and leanedback against the cushions, closing his eyes. 

"You are tired, " she said gently. 

"Oh, only a little, Isabel!" He spoke without moving, making no effort toveil his weariness from her. 

"What is it, dear?" she said. 

"I am very anxious about Dinah. " He spoke the words deliberately; hisface remained absolutely still and expressionless. 

"Anxious, Stumpy!" Isabel echoed the word quickly, almost as though itgave her relief to speak. "Oh, so am I--terribly anxious. She is soyoung, so utterly unprepared for marriage. I believe she is frightened todeath when she lets herself stop to think. "

"I blame myself, " Scott said heavily. 

"My dear, why?" Isabel's hand sought and held his. "How could you be toblame?"

"I forced it on, " he said. "I--in a way--compelled Eustace to propose. Hewasn't serious till then. I made him serious. "

"Oh, Stumpy, you!" Incredulity and reproach mingled in Isabel's tone. 

She would have withdrawn her hand, but his fingers closed upon it. "Imade a mistake, " he said, with dreary conviction, "a great mistake, though God knows I meant well; and now it is out of my power to set itright. I thought her heart was involved. I know now it was not. It's hardon him too in a way, because he is very much in earnest now, whatever hewas before. I was a fool--I was a fool--not to let things take theircourse. She would have suffered, but it would have been soon over. Whereas now--" He stopped himself abruptly. "It's no good talking. There's nothing to be done. He may--after marriage--break her in toloving him, but if he does--if he does--" his hand clenched with suddenforce upon Isabel's--"it won't be Dinah any more, " he said. "It'llbe--another woman; one who is satisfied with--a very little. "

His hand relaxed as suddenly as it had closed. He lay still with a facelike marble. 

Isabel sat motionless by his side for several seconds. She was gazingstraight before her with eyes that seemed to read the future. 

"How did you compel him to propose?" she asked presently. 

He shrugged his narrow shoulders slightly. "I can do these things, Isabel, if I try. But I wish I'd killed myself now before I interfered. As I tell you, I was a fool--a fool. "

He ceased to speak and sat in the silence of a great despair. 

Isabel said nought to comfort him. Her tragic eyes still seemed to begazing into the future. 

After many minutes Scott turned his head and looked at her. "Isabel, Iwish you would try to keep her with you as much as possible. Tell Eustacewhat you have just told me! There is certainly no time to lose if she isreally to be married in three weeks from now!"

"I suppose he would never consent to put it off, " Isabel said slowly. 

"He certainly would not. " Scott rose with a restless movement that saidmore than words. "He is on fire for her. Can't you see it? There isnothing to be done unless she herself wishes to be released. And I don'tthink that is very likely to happen. "

"He would never give her up, " Isabel said with conviction. 

"If she desired it, he would, " Scott's reply held an even more absolutefinality. 

Isabel looked at him for a moment; then: "Yes, but the poor little thingwould never dare, " she said. "Besides--besides--there is the glamour ofit all. "

"Yes, there is the glamour. " Scott spoke with a kind of grim compassion. "The glamour may carry her through. If so, then--possibly--it may softenlife for her afterwards. It may even turn into romance. Who knows?But--in any case--there will probably be--compensations. "

"Ah!" Isabel said. A wonderful light shone for a moment in her eyes anddied; she turned her face aside. "Compensations don't come to everyone, Stumpy, " she said. "What if the glamour fades and they don't come to takeits place?"

Scott was standing before the fire, his eyes fixed upon its red depths. His shoulders were still bent, as though they bore a burden well-nighoverwhelming. An odd little spasm went over his face at her words. 

"Then--God help my Dinah!" he said almost under his breath. 

In the silence that followed the words, Isabel rose impulsively, came tohim, and slipped her hand through his arm. 

She neither looked at him nor spoke, and in silence the matter passed. 

CHAPTER X

THE HOURS OF DARKNESS

Dinah could not sleep that night. For the first time in all her healthyyoung life she lay awake with grim care for a bed-fellow. When in troubleshe had always wept herself to sleep before, but to-night she did notweep. She lay wide-eyed, feeling hot and cold by turns as the memory ofher lover's devouring passion and Biddy's sinister words alternated inher brain. What was the warning that Biddy had meant to convey? Andhow--oh, how--would she ever face the morrow and its fierce, prolongedcourtship, from the bare thought of which every fibre of her being shrankin shamed dismay?

"There won't be any of me left by night, " she told herself, as she soughtto cool her burning face against the pillow. "Oh, I wish he didn't loveme quite so terribly. "

It was no good attempting to bridle wish or fears. They were far tooinsistent. She was immured in the very dungeons of Doubting Castle, andno star shone in her darkness. 

Towards morning her restlessness became unendurable. She arose andtremblingly paced the room, sick with a nameless apprehension that seemedto deprive her alike of the strength to walk or to be still. 

Her whole body was in a fever as though it had been scourged with thongs;in fact, she still seemed to feel the scourge, goading her on. 

To and fro, to and fro, she wandered, scarcely knowing what she wanted, only urged by that unbearable restlessness that gave her no respite. Ofthe future ahead of her she did not definitely think. Her marriage stillseemed too intangible a matter for serious contemplation. She still inher child's heart believed that marriage would make a difference. Hewould not make such ardent love to her when they were married. They wouldboth have so many other things to think about. It was the present that soweighed upon her, her lover's almost appalling intensity of worship andher own utter inadequacy and futility. 

Again, as often before, the question arose within her, How would Rosehave met the situation? Would she have been dismayed? Would she haveshrunk from those fiery kisses? Or could she--could she possibly--haveremained calm and complacent and dignified in the midst of those surgingtempests of love? But yet again she failed completely to picture Rose somastered, so possessed, by any man; Rose the queen whom all menworshipped with reverence from afar. She wondered again how Sir Eustacehad managed to elude the subtle charm she cast upon all about her. He hadactually declared that her perfection bored him. It was evident that sheleft him cold. Dinah marvelled at the fact, so certain was she that hadhe humbled himself to ask for Rose's favour it would have been instantlyand graciously accorded to him. 

It would have saved a lot of trouble if he had fallen in love with Rose, she reflected; and then the old thrill of triumph went through her, temporarily buoying her up. She had been preferred to Rose. She hadbeaten Rose on her own ground, she the little, insignificant adjunct ofthe de Vigne party! She was glad--oh, she was very glad!--that Rose wasto have so close a view of her final conquest. 

She began to take comfort in the thought of her approaching wedding andall its attendant glories, picturing every detail with girlish zest. Tobe the queen of such a brilliant ceremony as that! To be received intothe County as one entering a new world! To belong to that Society fromwhich her mother had been excluded! To be in short--her ladyship. 

A new excitement began to urge Dinah. She picked up a towel and draped itabout her head and shoulders like a bridal veil. Her mother would haverated her for such vanity, but for the moment vanity was her onlycomfort, and the thought of her mother did not trouble her. This washow she would look on her wedding-day. There would be a wreath oforange-blossoms of course; Isabel would see to that. And--yes, Isabel hadsaid that her bouquet should be composed of lilies-of-the-valley. Sheeven began to wish it were her wedding morning. 

The glamour spread like a rosy dawning; she forgot the clouds that loomedimmediately ahead. Standing there in her night attire, poised like abrown wood-nymph on the edge of a pool, she asked herself for the firsttime if it were possible that she could have any pretensions to beauty. It was not in the least likely, of course. Her mother had always railedat her for the plainness of her looks. Did Eustace--did Scott--think herplain? She wondered. She wondered. 

A slight sound, the opening of a window, in the room next to hers, madeher start. That was Isabel's room. What was happening? It was threeo'clock in the morning. Could Isabel be ill?

Very softly she opened her own window and leaned forth. It was one ofthose warm spring nights that come in the midst of March gales. There wasa scent of violets on the air. She thought again for a fleeting second ofScott and their walk through fairyland that morning. And then she heard avoice, pitched very low but throbbing with an eagerness unutterable, andat once her thoughts were centred upon Isabel. 

"Did you call me, my beloved? I am waiting! I am waiting!" said thevoice. 

It went forth into the sighing darkness of the night, and Dinah held herbreath to listen, almost as if she expected to hear an answer. 

There fell a long, long silence, and then there came a sound that struckstraight to her warm heart. It seemed to her that Isabel was weeping. 

She left her window with the impetuosity of one actuated by an impulseirresistible; she crossed her own room, and slipped out into the darkpassage just as she was. A moment or two she fumbled feeling her way; andthen her hand found Isabel's door. Softly she turned the handle, opened, and peeped in. 

Isabel was on her knees by the low window-sill. Her head with its crownof silver hair was bowed upon her arm and they rested upon the bundle ofletters which Dinah had seen on the very first night that she had seenIsabel. Old Biddy hovered shadow-like in the background. She made a signto Dinah as she entered, but Dinah was too intent upon her friend tonotice. 

Fleet-footed she drew near, and as she approached a long bitter sighbroke from Isabel and, following it, low-toned entreaties that piercedher anew with the utter abandonment of their supplication. 

"Oh God, " she prayed brokenly. "I am so tired--so tired--of waiting. Openthe door for me! Let me out of my prison! Let me find my beloved in thedawning--in the dawning!"

Her voice sank, went into piteous sobbing. She crouched lower in thedepth of her woe. 

Dinah stooped over her with a little crooning murmur of pity, andgathered her close in her arms. 

Isabel gave a great start. "Child!" she said, and then she clasped Dinahto her, leaning her face against her bosom. 

Dinah was crying softly, but she saw that Isabel had no tears. Thatsobbing came from her broken heart, but it brought no relief. The darkeyes burned with a misery that found no vent, save possibly in thepassionate holding of her arms. 

"My darling, " she whispered presently, "did I wake you?"

"No, dearest, no!" Dinah was tenderly caressing the snowy hair; she spokewith an almost motherly fondness. "I happened to be awake, and I heardyou at the window. "

"Why were you awake, darling? Aren't you happy?"

Quick anxiety was in the words. Dinah flushed with a sense of guilt. 

"Of course I am happy, " she made answer. "What more could I have to wishfor? But, Isabel, you--you!"

"Ah, never mind me!" Isabel said. She rose with the movement of one whowould shield another from harm. "You ought to be in bed, sweetheart. Shall I come and tuck you up?"

"Come and finish the night with me!" whispered Dinah. "We shall both behappy then. "

She scarcely expected that Isabel would accede to her desire, but itseemed that Isabel could refuse her nothing. She turned, holding Dinahclosely to her. 

"My good angel!" she murmured tenderly. "What should I do without you? Itis always you who come to lift me out of my inferno. "

She left the letters forgotten on the window-sill. By the simpleoutpouring of her love, Dinah had drawn her out of her place of torment;and she led her now, leaning heavily upon her, through the passage to herown room. 

Biddy crept after them like a wise old cat alert for danger. "She'llsleep now, Miss Dinah darlint, " she murmured. "Ye won't be anxious atall, at all? It's meself that'll be within call. "

"No, no! Go to your own room and sleep, Biddy!" Isabel said. "We are bothgoing to do the same. "

She sank into the great double bed that Dinah had found almost alarminglycapacious, with a sigh of exhaustion, and Dinah slipped in beside her. They clasped each other, each with a separate sense of comfort. 

Biddy tucked up first one side, then the other, with a whispered blessingfor each. 

"Ah, the poor lambs!" she murmured, as she went away. 

But Isabel's voice had reassured her; she did not linger even outside thedoor. 

Mumbling still below her breath her inarticulate benisons, Biddy passedthrough her mistress's room into her own. She was very tired, for she hadbeen watching without intermission for nearly five hours. She almostdropped on to her bed and lay as she fell, deeply sleeping. 

The letters on the window-sill were forgotten for the rest of that night. 

CHAPTER XI

THE NET

When Dinah met her lover in the morning she found him in a surprisinglyindulgent mood. The day was showery, and he announced his intention ofaccompanying them in the car up to town. 

"An excellent opportunity for selecting the wedding-ring, " he told herlightly. "You will like that better than a picnic. "

And Dinah in her relief admitted that this was the case. 

Up to the last moment she hoped that Scott would accompany them also, butwhen she came down dressed for the expedition she found that he had goneto the library to write letters. She pursued him thither, but he wouldnot be persuaded to leave his work. 

"Besides, I should only be in the way, " he said. And when she vehementlynegatived this, he smiled and fell back upon the plea that he was busy. 

Just at the last she tried to murmur a word of thanks to him forintervening on her behalf to induce Eustace to abandon the picnic, but hegently checked her. 

"Oh, please don't thank me!" he said. "I am not a very good meddler, Iassure you. I hope you are going to have a good day. Take care ofIsabel!"

Dinah would have lingered to tell him of the night's happening, but SirEustace called her and with a smile of farewell she hastened away. 

She enjoyed that day with a zest that banished all misgivings. SirEustace insisted upon the purchase of the ring at the outset, and thenshe and Isabel went their way alone, and shopped in a fashion that raisedDinah's spirits to giddy heights. She had never seen or imagined suchexquisite things as Isabel ordered on her behalf. The hours slipped awayin one long dream of delight. Sir Eustace had desired them to join him atluncheon, but Isabel had gravely refused. There would not be time, shesaid. They would meet for tea. And somewhat to Dinah's surprise he hadyielded the point. 

They met for tea in a Bond Street restaurant and here Sir Eustace tookaway his _fiancée's_ breath by presenting her with a pearl necklace towear at her wedding. 

She was almost too overwhelmed by the gift to thank him. "Oh, it's toogood--it's too good!" she said, awestruck by its splendour. 

"Nothing is too good for my wife, " he said in his imperial fashion. 

Isabel smiled the smile that never reached her shadowed eyes. "A chain ofpearls to bind a bride!" she said. 

And the thought flashed upon Dinah that there was truth in her words. Whether with intention or not, by every gift he gave her he bound her themore closely to him. An odd little sensation of dismay accompanied it, but she put it resolutely from her. Bound or not, what did itmatter--since she had no desire to escape?

She thanked him again very earnestly that night in the conservatory, andhe pressed her to him and kissed the neck on which his pearls rested withthe hot lips of a thirsty man. But he had himself under control, and whenshe sought to draw herself away he let her go. She wondered at hisforbearance and was mutely grateful for it. 

At Isabel's suggestion she went up to her room early. She was certainlyweary, but she was radiantly happy. It had been a wonderful day. Thebeauty of the pearls dazzled her. She kissed them ere she laid them outof sight. He was good to her. He was much too good. 

There came a knock at the door just as she was getting into bed, andBiddy came softly in, her brown face full of mystery and, Dinah saw at aglance, of anxiety also. 

She put up a warning finger as she advanced. "Whisht, Miss Dinah darlint!For the love of heaven, don't ye make a noise! I just came in to ask ye aquestion, for it's worried to death I am. "

"Why what's the matter, Biddy?" Dinah questioned in surprise. 

"And ye may well ask, Miss Dinah dear!" Tragedy made itself heard inBiddy's rejoinder. "Sure it's them letters of Miss Isabel's that'sdisappeared entirely, and left no trace. And what'll I do at all when shecomes to ask for them? It's not meself that'll dare to tell her asthey've gone, and she setting such store by them. She'll go clean out ofher mind, Miss Dinah, for sure, they've been her only comfort, poor lamb, these seven years. "

"But, Biddy!" Impulsively Dinah broke in upon her, her eyes round withsurprise and consternation. "They can't be--gone! They must be somewhere!Have you hunted for them? She left them on the window-sill, didn't she?They must have got put away. "

"That they have not!" declared Biddy solemnly. "It's my belief that theold gentleman himself must have spirited them away. The window was leftopen, ye know, Miss Dinah, and it was a dark night. "

"Oh, Biddy, nonsense, nonsense! One of the servants must have moved themwhen she was doing the room. Have you asked everyone?"

"That couldn't have happened, Miss Dinah dear. " Unshakable conviction wasin Biddy's voice. "I got up late, and I had to get Miss Isabel up in ahurry to go off in the motor. But I missed the letters directly after shewas gone, and I hadn't left the room--except to call her. No one had beenin--not unless they slipped in in those few minutes while me back wasturned. And for what should anyone take such a thing as them letters, Miss Dinah? There are no thieves in the house. And them love-letters wereworth nothing to nobody saving to Miss Isabel, and they were the verybreath of life to her when the black mood was on her. Whatever she'llsay--whatever she'll do--I don't dare to think. "

Poor Biddy flourished her apron as though she would throw it over herhead. Her parchment face was working painfully. 

Dinah sat on the edge of her bed and watched her, not knowing what tosay. 

"Where is Miss Isabel?" she asked at last. 

"She's still downstairs with Master Scott, and I'm expecting her up everyminute. It's herself that ought to be in bed by now, for she's tired outafter her long day; but he'll be bringing her up directly and then she'llask for her love-letters. There's never a night goes by but what shekisses them before she lies down. When ye were ill, Miss Dinah dear, she'd forget sometimes, but ever since she's been alone again she's nevermissed, not once. "

"Have you told Master Scott?" asked Dinah. 

Biddy shook her head. "Would I add to his burdens, poor young gentleman?He'll know soon enough. "

"And are you sure you've looked everywhere--everywhere?" insisted Dinah. "If no one has taken them--"

"Miss Dinah, I've turned the whole room upside down and shaken it, "declared Biddy. "I'll take my dying oath that them letters have gone. "

"Could they--could they possibly have fallen out of the window?" hazardedDinah. 

"Miss Dinah dear, no!" A hint of impatience born of her distress wasperceptible in the old woman's tone; she turned to the door. "Well, well, it's no good talking. Don't ye fret yourself! What must be, will be. "

"But I think Scott ought to know, " said Dinah. 

"No, no, Miss Dinah! We'll not tell him before we need. He's got his owntroubles. But I wonder--I wonder--" Biddy paused with the door-handle inher bony old fingers--"how would it be now, " she said slowly, "if ye wasto get Miss Isabel to sleep with ye again? She forgot last night. It'slikely she may forget again--unless he calls her. "

"Biddy!" exclaimed Dinah, startled. 

Biddy's beady eyes gleamed mysteriously. "Arrah, but it's the truth I'mtelling ye, Miss Dinah. He does call her. I've known him call her whenshe's been lying in a deep sleep, and she'll rise up with her armsstretched out and that look in her eyes!" Biddy's face crumpledmomentarily, but was swiftly straightened again. "Will ye do it then, Miss Dinah? Ye needn't be afraid. I'll be within call. But when she's gotyou, she don't seem to be craving for anyone else. What was it she calledye only last night? Her good angel! And so ye be, me jewel; so ye be!"

Dinah stood debating the matter. Biddy's expedient was of too temporaryan order to recommend itself to her. She wondered why Scott should not beconsulted, and it was with some vague intention of laying the matterbefore him if an opportunity should occur that she finally gave hersomewhat hesitating consent. 

"I will do it of course, Biddy. I love her to sleep with me. But, youknow, it is bound to come out some time, unless you manage to find theletters again. They must be somewhere. "

Biddy shook her head. "We must just leave that to the Almighty, MissDinah dear, " she said piously. "There's nothing else we can do at all. I'll get back to her room now, and when she comes up, I'll tell her ye'refeeling lonely, and will she please to sleep with ye again. She won'tthink of anything else then ye may be sure. Why, she worships the veryground under your feet, mavourneen, like--like someone else I know. "

She was gone with the words, leaving upon Dinah a dim impression that herlast words were intended to convey something which she would havetranslated into simpler language had she been at liberty to do so. 

She did not pay much attention to them. She was too troubled over herformer revelation to think seriously of anything else. Into her mind, all unbidden, had flashed a sudden memory, and it held her like anightmare-vision. She saw Sir Eustace with that imperious frown on hisface holding out Isabel's treasure with a curt, "Take this thing away!"She saw herself leap up and seize it from his intolerant grasp. She sawIsabel's outstretched, pleading hands, and the piteous hunger in hereyes.... 

When Isabel came to her that night, her face was all softened withmother-love. She drew Dinah to her breast, kissing her very tenderly. 

"Did you want me to come and take care of you, my darling?"

Dinah's heart smote her for the deception, but she answered bravelyenough, "Oh, Isabel, yes, yes! You are so good to me, I want you always. "

"Dear heart!" Isabel said, with a sigh, and folded her closer as thoughshe would guard her against all the world. 

She was the first to fall asleep notwithstanding, while Dinah laymotionless and troubled far into the night. She wished that Biddy wouldgive her permission to tell Scott, for without that permission such astep seemed like a betrayal of confidence. But for some reason Biddyevidently thought that Scott had enough on his shoulders just then. Andso it seemed, she could only wait--only wait. 

She did not want to burden Scott unduly either, and there was somethingabout him just now, something of a repressing nature, that held her backfrom confiding in him too freely. He seemed to have raised a barrierbetween them since their return to England which no intimacy ever quitesucceeded in scaling. Full of brotherly kindness though he was, the oldfrank fellowship was gone. It was as though he had realized herdependence upon him, and were trying with the utmost gentleness to makeher stand alone. 

Dinah slept at last from sheer weariness, and forgot her troubles. Shemust not tell Scott, she could not tell Eustace, and so there was noother course but silence. But the anxiety of it weighed upon her eventhrough her slumber. Life was far more interesting than of yore. Butnever, never before had it been so full of doubts and fears. Thecomplexity of it all was like an endless net, enmeshing her howeverwarily she stepped. 

And always, and always, at the back of her mind there lurked the dreadconviction that one day the net would be drawn close, and she would findherself a helpless prisoner in the grip of a giant. 

CHAPTER XII

THE DIVINE SPARK

With the morning Dinah found her anxieties less oppressive. Isabel wasbecoming so much more like herself that she was able to put the matterfrom her and in a measure forget it. Like Biddy, she began to hope thatby postponing the evil hour they might possibly evade it altogether. Forthere was nothing abnormal about Isabel during that day or those thatsucceeded it. The time passed quickly. There was much to be done, muchto be discussed and decided, and their thoughts were fully occupied. Dinah felt as one whirled in a torrent. She could not think of the greatundercurrent. She could deal only with the things on the surface. 

How that week sped away she never afterwards fully recalled. It passedlike a fevered dream. Two more journeys to town with Isabel, the ordealof a dinner at the house of a neighbouring magnate, a much lessformidable tea at the Vicarage, on which occasion Mr. Grey drew her asideand thanked her for using her influence over Sir Eustace in the rightdirection and earnestly exhorted her to maintain and develop it as far aspossible when she was married, a few riding-lessons with Scott who alwaysseemed so much more imposing in the saddle than out of it and knew soexactly how to instruct her, a few wild races in Sir Eustace's car fromwhich she always returned in a state of almost delirious exultation, andthen night after night the sleep of utter weariness, with Isabel lying byher side. 

The last night came upon her almost with a sense of shock. It had becomea custom for her to sit in the conservatory with Sir Eustace afterdinner, and here with the lights turned low he was wont to pour out toher all the fiery worship which throughout the day he curbed. No one everdisturbed them, but they were close to Isabel's sitting-room where Scottwas wont to sit and read while his sister lay on her couch resting andlistening. The murmur of his voice was audible to Dinah, and theknowledge of his close proximity gave her a courage which surely had notbeen hers otherwise. She was learning how to receive her lover'sdemonstrations without starting away in affright. If he ever startledher, the sound of Scott's voice in the adjoining room would alwaysreassure her. She knew that Scott was at hand and would never fail her. 

But on that last night Sir Eustace was more ardent than she had everknown him. He seemed to be almost fiercely resentful of the comingseparation, brief though it was to be, and he would not suffer her out ofreach of his hand. 

Wedding presents had begun to arrive, and in some fashion they seemed toincrease his impatience. 

"I can't think what we are waiting for, " he said, with his arm about her, drawing her close. "All this pomp and circumstance is nothing but ahindrance. It's you I want, not your wedding finery. You had better bemarried first and get the finery afterwards, as it isn't to be in town. "

"Oh, but I want a big wedding, " protested Dinah. "It's going to be suchfun. "

He laughed, holding her pointed chin between his finger and thumb. "Ibelieve that's all you care about, you little heartless witch. I don'tcount at all. You'd have enjoyed this week every bit as well if I hadn'tbeen here. "

She winced a little at his words, for somehow they went home. "Therehasn't been much time for anything, has there?" she said. "But--but I'veenjoyed the motor rides, and--and I ought to thank you for being so verygood to me. "

He kissed the quivering lips, and she slipped a shy arm round his neckwith the feeling that she owed it to him. But she did not return hiskisses, for she was afraid to feed the flame that already leapt so high. 

"You've nothing to thank me for, " he said presently, when she turned herface at last abashed into his shoulder. "I may be giving more than you atthis stage, but it won't be so later. You shall have the opportunity ofpaying me back in full. How does that appeal to you, Daphne the demure?Are you going to be a good little wife to me?"

"I'll try, " she whispered. 

"And give me all I ask--always?"

"I'll try, " she whispered again more faintly, conscious of thatterrifying sense of being so merged into his overwhelming personalitythat the very breath she drew seemed not her own. 

He lifted her into his arms, holding her hard pressed against thethrobbing of his heart. "You wisp of thistledown!" he said. "You feather!How have you managed to set me on fire like this? I think of nothing butyou--the fairy wonder of you--day and night. If you were to slip out ofmy reach now, I believe I should follow and kill you. "

Dinah lay across his breast in palpitating submission to his will. Shecould hear his heart beating like a rising tempest, and the force of hispassion overcame her like a tornado. His kisses were like the flames of afiery furnace. She felt stifled, shattered by his violence. But in theroom beyond she still heard that steady voice reading aloud, and it kepther from panic. She knew that she had only to raise her own voice, and hewould be with her, --Greatheart of the golden armour, strong and fearlessin her defence. 

Sir Eustace heard that quiet voice also, as one hears the warning ofconscience. He slackened his hold upon her, with a quivering, half-shamedlaugh. 

"Only another fortnight, " he said, "and I shall have you to myself--allday and all night too. " He looked at her with sudden critical attention. "You had better go to bed, child. You look like a little tired ghost. "

She did not feel like a ghost, for she was burning from head to foot. Butas she slipped from his arms the ground seemed to be rocking all aroundher. She stretched out her hands blindly, gasping, feeling for support. 

He was up in a moment, holding her. "What is it? Aren't you well?"

She sank against him for she could not stand. He held her with atenderness that was new to her. 

"My darling, have I tired you out? What a thoughtless brute I am!"

It was the first time she had ever heard a word of self-reproach upon hislips; the first time, though she knew it not, that actual love inspiredhim, entering as it were through that breach in the wall of overbearingpride that girt him round. 

She leaned against him with more confidence than she had ever beforeknown, dizzy still, and conscious of a rush of tears behind her closedlids. For that sudden compunction of his hurt her oddly. She did not knowhow to meet it. 

He bent over her. "Getting better, little sweetheart? Oh, don't cry! Whathappened? Did I hurt you--frighten you?"

He was stroking her hair soothingly, persuasively, his dark face so closeto hers that when she opened her eyes they looked up straight into his. But she saw nought to frighten her there, and after a moment she reachedup and kissed him apologetically. 

"I'm only silly--only silly, " she murmured confusedly. "Good night--goodnight--Apollo!"

And with the words she stood up, summoning her strength, smiled upon him, and slipped free from his encircling arm. 

He did not seek to detain her. She flitted from his presence like afluttering white moth, and he was left alone. He stood quite motionlessin the semi-darkness, breathing deeply, his clenched hands pressedagainst his sides. 

That moment had been a revelation to him also. He was abruptly consciousof the spirit so dominating the body that the fierce, ungoverned heart ofhim drew back ashamed as a beast will shrink from the flare of a torch, and he felt strangely conquered, almost cowed, as though an angel with aflaming sword had suddenly intervened between him and his desire. 

The madness of his passion was yet beating in his veins, but this--thiswas another and a stronger element before which all else becamecontemptible. The soul of the man had sprung from sleep like an awakinggiant. Half in wonder and half in awe, he watched the kindling of theDivine Spark that outshineth every earthly fire. 

CHAPTER XIII

THE BROKEN HEART

The return home was to Dinah like a sudden plunge into icy depths after abrief sojourn in the tropics. The change of atmosphere was such that sheseemed actually to feel it in her bones, and her whole being, physicaland mental contracted in consequence. Her mother treated her with all hercustomary harshness, and Dinah, grown sensitive by reason of muchpetting, shrank almost with horror whenever she came in contact with theiron will that had subjugated her from babyhood. 

Before the first week was over, she was counting the days to herdeliverance; but of this fact she hinted nothing in her letters to herlover. These were carefully worded, demure little epistles that gave himnot the smallest inkling of her state of mind. She was far too muchafraid of him to betray that. 

Had she been writing to Scott she could scarcely have repressed it. Inone letter to Isabel indeed something of her yearning for the vanishedsunshine leaked out; but very strangely Isabel did not respond to thepathetic little confidence, and Dinah did not venture to repeat it. Perhaps Isabel was shocked. 

The last week came, and with it the arrival of wedding-presents from herfather and friends that lifted Dinah out of her depression and evensoftened her mother into occasional good-humour. Preparations for thewedding began in earnest. Billy, released somewhat before the holidaysfor the occasion, returned home, and everything took a more cheerfulaspect. 

Dinah could not feel that her mother's attitude towards herself hadmaterially altered. It was sullen and threatening at times, almost as ifshe resented her daughter's good fortune, and she lived in continualdread of an outbreak of the cruel temper that had so embittered her homelife. But Billy's presence made a difference even to that. His influencewas entirely wholesome, and he feared no one. 

"Why don't you stand up to her?" he said to his sister on one occasionwhen he found her weeping after an overwhelming brow-beating over somefailure in the kitchen. "She'd think something of you then. "

Dinah had no answer. She could not convince him that her spirit had beenbroken for such encounters long ago. Billy had never been tied up to abed-post and whipped till limp with exhaustion, but such treatment hadbeen her portion more times than she could number. 

But every hour brought her deliverance nearer, and so far she had managedto avoid physical violence though the dread of it always menaced her. 

"Why does she hate me so?" Over and over again she asked herself thequestion, but she never found any answer thereto; and she was fain tobelieve her father's easy-going verdict: "There's no accounting for yourmother's tantrums; they've got to be visited on somebody. "

She wondered what would happen when she was no longer at hand to act asscapegoat, and yet it seemed to her that her mother longed to be rid ofher. 

"I'll get things into good order when you're out of the way, " she saidto her on the last evening but one before the wedding-day, the eveningon which the Studleys were to arrive at the Court. "You're just a bornmuddler, and you'll never be anything else, Lady Studley or no LadyStudley. Get along upstairs and dress yourself for your preciousdinner-party, or your father will be ready first! Oh, it'll be a goodthing when it's all over and done with, but if you think you'll ever gettreated as a grand lady here, you're very much mistaken. Home broth isall you'll ever get from me, so you needn't expect anything different. If you don't like it, you can stop away. "

Dinah escaped from the rating tongue as swiftly as she dared. She knewthat her mother had been asked to dine at the Court also--for the firsttime in her life--and had tersely refused. She wasn't going to becondescended to by anybody, she had told her husband in Dinah's hearing, and he had merely shrugged his shoulders and advised her to pleaseherself. 

Billy had not been asked, somewhat to his disgust; but he looked forwardto seeing Scott again in the morning and ordered Dinah to ask him tolunch with them. 

So finally Dinah and her father set forth alone in one of the motors fromthe Court to attend the gathering of County magnates that the de Vigneshad summoned in honour of Sir Eustace Studley and his chosen bride. 

She wore one of her trousseau gowns for the occasion, a pale greengossamer-like garment that made her look more nymph-like than ever. Hermother had surveyed it with narrowed eyes and a bitter sneer. 

"Ok yes, you'll pass for one of the quality, " she had said. "No one wouldtake you for a child of mine any way. "

"That's no fault of the child's, Lydia, " her father had rejoinedgood-humouredly, and in the car he had taken her little cold hand intohis and asked her kindly enough if she were happy. 

She answered him tremulously in the affirmative, the dread of her motherstill so strong upon her that she could think of nothing but the reliefof escape. And then before she had time to prepare herself in any way forthe sudden transition she found herself back in that tropical, brilliantatmosphere in which thenceforth she was to move and have her being. 

She could not feel that she would ever shine there. There were so manybright lights, and though her father was instantly and completely at homeshe felt dazzled and strange, till all-unexpectedly someone came to herthrough the great lamp-lit hall, haltingly yet with purpose, and held herhand and asked her how she was. 

The quiet grasp steadied her, and in a moment she was radiantly happy, all her troubles and anxieties swept from her path. "Oh, Scott!" shesaid, and her eyes beamed upon him the greeting her lips somehow refusedto utter. 

He was laughing a little; his look was quizzical. "I have been on thelook-out for you, " he told her. "It's the best man's privilege, isn't it?Won't you introduce me to your father?"

She did so, and then Rose glided forward, exquisite in maize satin andpearls, and smilingly detached her from the two men and led her upstairs. 

"We are to have a little informal dance presently, " she said. "Did I tellyou in my note? No? Oh, well, no doubt it will be a pleasant littlesurprise for you. How very charming you are looking, my dear! I didn'tknow you had it in you. Did you choose that pretty frock yourself?"

Dinah, with something of her mother's bluntness of speech, explained thatthe creation in question had been Isabel's choice, and Rose smiled as onewho fully understood the situation. 

"She has been very good to you, poor soul, has she not?" she said. "Sheis not coming down to-night. The journey has fatigued her terribly. Thatfunny, old-fashioned nurse of hers has asked very particularly that shemay not be disturbed, except to see you for a few minutes later. "

"Is she worse?" asked Dinah, startled. 

Whereat Rose shook her dainty head. "Has she ever been better? No, poorthing, I am afraid her days are numbered, nor could one in kindness wishit otherwise. Still, I mustn't sadden you, dear. You have got to lookyour very best to-night, or Sir Eustace will be disappointed. There arequite a lot of pretty girls coming, and you know what he is. " Roseuttered a little self-conscious laugh. "Put on a tinge of colour, dear!"she said, as Dinah stood before the mirror in her room. "You look such alittle brown thing; just a faint glow on your cheeks would be such animprovement. "

"No, thank you, " said Dinah, and flushed suddenly and hotly at thethought of what she had once endured at her mother's hands for daring topencil the shadows under her eyes. It had been no more than a girlishtrick--an experiment to pass an idle moment. But it had been treated asan offence of immeasurable enormity, and she winced still at the memoryof all that that moment's vanity had entailed. 

Rose looked at her appraisingly. "No, perhaps you don't need it afterall, not anyhow when you blush like that. You have quite a pretty blush, Dinah, and you are wise to make the most of it. Are you ready, dear? Thenwe will go down. "

She rustled forth with Dinah beside her, shedding a soft fragrance ofsome Indian scent as she moved that somehow filled Dinah withindignation, like a resentful butterfly in search of more wholesomedelights. 

Eustace was in the hall when they descended. He came forward to meet his_fiancée_, and her heart throbbed fast and hard at the sight of him. Buthis manner was so strictly casual and impersonal that her agitationspeedily passed, and by the time they were seated side by side atdinner--for the last time in their lives, as the Colonel jocoselyremarked--she could not feel that she had ever been anything nearer tohim than a passing acquaintance. 

She was shy and very quiet. The hubbub of voices, the brilliance of itall, overwhelmed her. If Scott had been on her other side, she would havebeen much happier, but he was far away making courteous conversation forthe benefit of a deaf old lady whom no one else made the smallest effortto entertain. 

Suddenly Sir Eustace disengaged himself from the general talk and turnedto her. "Dinah!" he said. 

Her heart leapt again. She glanced at him and caught the gleam of thehunter in those rapier-bright eyes of his. 

He leaned slightly towards her, his smile like a shining cloak, hidinghis soul. "Daphne, " he said, and his voice came to her subtle, caressing, commanding, through the gay tumult all about them, "there is going to bedancing presently. Did you hear?"

"Yes, " she whispered with lowered eyes. 

"You will dance with only one to-night, " he said. "That is understood, isit?"

"Yes, " she whispered again. 

"Good!" he said. And then imperiously, "Why don't you drink some wine?"

She made a slight, startled movement. "I never do, I don't like it. "

"You need it, " he said, and made a curt sign to one of the servants. 

Wine was poured into her glass, and she drank submissively. Thediscipline of the past two weeks had made her wholly docile. And the winewarmed and cheered her in a fashion that made her think that perhaps hewas right and she had needed it. 

When the dinner came to an end she was feeling far less scared andstrange. Guests were beginning to assemble for the dance, and as theypassed out people whom she knew by sight but to whom she had never spokencame up and talked with her as though they were old friends. Several menasked her to dance, but she steadily refused them all. Her turn wouldcome later. 

"I am going up to see Mrs. Everard, " was her excuse. "She is expectingme. "

And then Scott came, and she turned to him with eager welcome. "Oh, please, will you take me to see Isabel?"

He gave her a straight, intent look, and led her out of the throng. 

His hand rested upon her arm as they mounted the stairs and she thoughthe moved with deliberate slowness. At the top he spoke. 

"Dinah, before you see her I ought to prepare you for a change. She hasbeen losing ground lately. She is not--what she was. "

Dinah stopped short. "Oh, Scott!" She said in breathless dismay. 

His hand pressed upon her, but it seemed to be imparting strength ratherthan seeking it. "I think I told you that day at the Dower House that shewas nearing the end of her journey. I don't want to sadden you. Youmustn't be sad. But you couldn't see her without knowing. It won't bequite yet; but it will be--soon. "

He spoke with the utmost quietness; his face never varied. His eyes withtheir steady comradeship looked straight into hers, stilling herdistress. 

"She is so tired, " he said gently. "I don't think it ought to grieve usthat her rest is drawing near at last. She has so longed for it, poorgirl. "

"Oh, Scott!" Dinah said again, but she said it this time withoutconsternation. His steadfast strength had given her confidence. 

"Shall we go to her?" he said. "At least, I think it would be better ifyou went alone. She is quite determined that nothing shall interfere withyour coming happiness, so you mustn't let her think you shocked orgrieved. I thought it best to prepare you, that's all. "

He led her gravely along the passage, and presently stopped outside aclosed door. He knocked three times as of old, and Dinah stood waiting asone on the threshold of a holy place. 

The door, was opened by Biddy, and he pressed her forward. "Don't staylong!" he said. "She is very tired to-night, and Eustace will be wantingyou. "

She squeezed his hand in answer and passed within. 

Biddy's wrinkled brown face smiled a brief welcome under its snowy cap. She motioned her to approach. "Ye'll not stay long, Miss Dinah dear, " shewhispered. "The poor lamb's very tired to-night. "

Dinah went forward. 

The window was wide open, and the rush of the west wind filled the room. Isabel was lying in bed with her face to the night, wide-eyed, intent, still as death. 

Noiselessly Dinah drew near. There was something in the atmosphere--aghostly, hovering presence--that awed her. In the sound of that racingwind she seemed to hear the beat of mighty wings. 

She uttered no word, she was almost afraid to speak. But when she reachedthe bed, when she bent and looked into Isabel's face, she caught herbreath in a gasping cry. For she was shocked--shocked unutterably--bywhat she saw. Shrivelled as the face of one who had come through fierytortures, ashen-grey, with eyes in which the anguish of the burnt-outflame still lingered, eyes that were dead to hope, eyes that were openonly to the darkness, such was the face upon which she looked. 

Biddy was by her side in a moment, speaking in a rapid whisper. "Arrahthin, Miss Dinah darlint, don't ye be scared at all! She'll speak to yein a minute, sure. It's only that she's tired to-night. She'll be moreherself like in the morning. "

Dinah hung over the still figure. Biddy's whispering was as the buzzingof a fly. She heard it with the outer sense alone. 

"Isabel!" she said; and again with a passionate earnestness, "Isabel--darling--my darling--what has happened to you?"

At the sound of that pleading voice Isabel moved, seeming as it were toreturn slowly from afar. 

"Why, Dinah dear!" she said. 

Her dark eyes smiled up at her in welcome, but it was a smile that cuther to the heart with its aloofness, its total lack of gladness. 

Dinah stooped to kiss her. "Are you so tired, dearest? Perhaps I hadbetter go away. "

But Isabel put up a trembling, skeleton hand and detained her. "No, dear, no! I am not so tired as that. I can't talk much; but I can listen. Sitdown and tell me about yourself!"

Dinah sat down, but she could think of nothing but the piteous, linedface upon the pillow and the hopeless suffering of the eyes that lookedforth from it. 

She held Isabel's hand very tightly, though its terrible emaciationshocked her anew, and so for a time they were silent while Isabel seemedto drift back again into the limitless spaces out of which Dinah's cominghad for a moment called her. 

It was Biddy who broke the silence at last, laying a gnarled andquivering hand upon Dinah as she sat. 

"Ye'd better come again in the morning, mavourneen, " she said. "She's toofar off to-night to heed ye. "

Dinah started. Her eyes were full of tears as she bent and kissed thepoor, wasted fingers she held, realizing with poignant certainty as shedid it the truth of the old woman's statement. Isabel was too far off toheed. 

Then, as she rose to go, a strange thing happened. The tender strains ofa waltz, _Simple Aveu_, floated softly in broken snatches in on the westwind, and again--as one who hears a voice that calls--Isabel came back. She raised herself suddenly. Her face was alight, transfigured--the faceof a woman on the threshold of Love's sanctuary. 

"Oh, my dearest!" she said, and her voice thrilled as never Dinah hadheard it thrill before. "How I have waited for this! How I have waited!"

She stretched out her arms in one second of rapture unutterable; and thenalmost in the same moment they fell. The youth went out of her, shecrumpled like a withered flower. 

"Biddy!" she said. "Oh, Biddy, tell them to stop! I can't bear it! Ican't bear it!"

Dinah went to the window and closed it, shutting out the hauntingstrains. That waltz meant something to her also, something with which forthe moment she felt she could not cope. 

Turning, she saw that Isabel was clinging convulsively to the old nurse, and she was crying, crying, crying, as one who has lost all hope. 

"But it's too late to do her any good, " mourned Biddy over the bowedhead. "It's the tears of a broken heart. "

CHAPTER XIV

THE WRATH OF THE GODS

The paroxysm did not last long, and in that fact most poignantly didDinah realize the waning strength. 

Dumbly she stood and watched Biddy lay the inanimate figure back upon thepillows. Isabel had sunk into a state of exhaustion that was almosttorpor. 

"She'll sleep now, dear lamb, " said Biddy, and tenderly covered her overas though she had been a child. 

She turned round to Dinah, looking at her with shrewd darting eyes. "Ye'dbetter be getting along to your lover, Miss Dinah, " she said. "He'll bewanting ye to dance with him. "

But Dinah stood her ground with a little shiver. The bare thought ofdancing at that moment made her feel physically sick. "Biddy! Biddy!" shewhispered, "what has happened to make her--like this?"

"And ye may well ask!" said Biddy darkly. "But it's not for me to tellye. Ye'd best run along, Miss Dinah dear, and be happy while ye can. "

"But I'm not happy!" broke from Dinah. "How can I be? Biddy, what hashappened? You must tell me if you can. She wasn't like this a fortnightago. She has never been--quite like this--before. "

Biddy pursed her lips. "Sure, we none of us travel the same road twice, Miss Dinah, " she said. 

But Dinah would not be satisfied with so vague an axiom. 

"Something has happened, " she said. "Come into the next room and tell meall about it! Please, Biddy!"

Biddy glanced at the bed. "She'll not hear ye in here, Miss Dinah, " shesaid. "And what for should I be telling ye at all? Ye'll be Sir Eustace'sbride in less than forty-eight hours from now, so it's maybe better yeshouldn't know. "

"I must know, " Dinah said, and with the words a great wave of resolutionwent through her, uplifting her, inspiring her. "I've got to know, " shesaid. "Whatever happens, I've got to know. "

Biddy left the bedside and came close to her. "If ye insist, MissDinah--" she said. 

"I do--I do insist. " Never in her life before had Dinah spoken with suchauthority, but a force within was urging her--a force irresistible; shespoke as one compelled. 

Biddy came closer still. "Ye'll not tell Master Scott--nor any of 'em--ifI tell ye?" she whispered. 

"No, no; of course--no!" Dinah's voice came breathlessly; she had not thepower to draw back. 

"Ye promise, Miss Dinah?" Biddy could be insistent too; her eyes burnedlike live coals. 

"I promise, yes. " Dinah held out an impulsive hand. "You can trust me, "she said. 

Biddy's fingers closed claw-like upon it. "Whist now, Miss Dinah!" shesaid. "If Sir Eustace was to hear me, sure, he'd wring the neck on melike as if I was an old fowl. But ye've asked me what's happened, mavourneen, and sure, I'll tell ye. For it's the pretty young lady thatye are and a cruel shame that ye should ever belong to the likes of him. It's his doing, Miss Dinah, every bit of it, and it's the truth I'mspeaking, as the Almighty Himself could tell ye if He'd a mind to. Thepoor lamb was fading away aisy like, but he came along and broke herheart. It was them letters, Miss Dinah. He took 'em. And he burned 'em, my dear, he burned 'em, and when ye were gone she missed 'em, and then hetold her what he'd done, told her brutal-like that it was time she'd donewith such litter. He said it was all damn' nonsense that she was wastingher life over 'em and over the dead. Oh, it was wicked, it was cruel. Andshe--poor innocent--she locked herself up when he'd gone and cried andcried and cried till the poor heart of her was broke entirely. She saidshe'd lost touch with her darling husband and he'd never come back to heragain. "

"Biddy!" Horror undisguised sounded in Dinah's low voice. "He never didsuch a thing as that!"

"He did that!" A queer species of triumph was apparent in Biddy'srejoinder; malice twinkled for a second in her eyes. "I've told ye! I'vetold ye!" she said. And then, with sharp anxiety. "But ye'll not tellanyone as ye know, Miss Dinah. Ye promised, now didn't ye? Miss Isabelwouldn't that any should know--not even Master Scott. He was away when ithappened, dining down at the Vicarage he was. And Miss Isabel she says tome, 'For the life of ye, don't tell Master Scott! He'd be that angry, 'she says, 'and Sir Eustace would murder him entirely if it came to aquarrel. ' She was that insistent, Miss Dinah, and I knew there was truthin what she said. Master Scott has the heart of a lion. He never knew themeaning of fear from his babyhood. And Sir Eustace is a monster ofdestruction when once his blood's up. And he minds what Master Scott saysmore than anyone. So I promised, Miss Dinah dear, the same as you have. And so he doesn't know to this day. Sir Eustace, ye see, has been in atouchy mood all along, ever since ye left. Like gunpowder he's been, andMaster Scott has had a difficult enough time with him; and Miss Isabelhas kept it from him so that he thinks it was just your going again thatmade her fret so. There, now ye know all, Miss Dinah dear, and don't yefor the love of heaven tell a soul what I've told ye! Miss Isabel wouldnever forgive me if she came to know. Ah, the saints preserve us, what'sthat?"

A brisk tap at the door had made her jump with violence. She went toparley with a guilty air. 

In a moment or two she shut the door and came back. "It's that flightyyoung French hussy, Miss Dinah; her they call Yvonne. She says SirEustace is waiting for ye downstairs. "

A great revulsion of feeling went through Dinah. It shook her like anoverwhelming tempest and passed, leaving her deadly cold. She turnedwhite to the lips. 

"I can't go to him, Biddy, " she said. "I can't dance to-night. Yvonnemust tell him. "

Biddy gave her a searching look. "Ye won't let him find out, Miss Dinah?"she urged. "Won't he guess now if ye stay up here?"

The earnest entreaty of the old bright eyes moved her. She turned to thedoor. "Oh, very well. I'll go myself and tell him. "

"Ye won't let him suspect, mavourneen--mavourneen?" pleaded Biddydesperately. 

"No, Biddy, no! Haven't I sworn it a dozen times already?" Dinah hadreached the door; she looked back for a moment and her look was steadfastnotwithstanding the deathly pallor of her face. Then she passed slowlyforth, and heard old Biddy softly turn the key behind her, makingassurance doubly sure. 

Slowly she moved along the passage. It was deserted, but the sound oflaughing voices and the tuning of violins floated up from below. Againthat feeling that was akin to physical sickness assailed Dinah. Downthere he was waiting for her, waiting to be intoxicated into headlong, devouring passion by her dancing. She seemed to feel his arms alreadyholding her, straining her to him, so that the warmth of him was as afiery atmosphere all about her, encompassing her, possessing her. Herwhole body burned at the thought, and then again was cold--cold as thoughshe had drunk a draught of poison. She stood still, feeling too sick togo on. 

And then, while she waited, she heard a step. Her heart seemed to springinto her throat, throbbing wildly like a caged bird seeking freedom. Shedrew back against the wall, trembling from head to foot. 

He came along the passage, magnificent, princely, confident, swinging hisshoulders with that semi-conscious swagger she knew so well. He spied herwhere she stood, and she heard his brief, half-mocking laugh as he strodeto her. 

"Ah, Daphne! Hiding as usual!" he said. 

He took her between his hands, and she felt the mastery of him in thatfree hold. She stood as a prisoner in his grasp. Her new-found resolutionwas gone at the first contact with that overwhelming personality of his. She hung her head in quivering distress. 

He bent down, bringing his face close to hers. He tried to look into theeyes that she kept downcast. 

And suddenly he spoke again, softly into her ear. "Why so shy, littlesweetheart? Are you getting frightened now the time is so near?"

Her breathing quickened at his tone. Possessive though it was, it heldthat tender note that was harder to bear than all his fiercest passion. She could not speak in answer. No words would come. 

He put his arm around her and held her close. "But you mustn't be afraidof me, " he said. "Don't you know I love you? Don't you know I am going tomake you the happiest little woman in the world?"

Dinah choked down some scalding tears. She longed to escape from theholding of his arm, and yet her torn spirit felt the comfort of it. Shestood silent, shaken, unnerved, piteously conscious of her utterweakness--the weakness wrought by that iron discipline that had neversuffered her to have any will of her own. 

He put up a hand and pressed her drooping head against his shoulder. "There's nothing very dreadful in being married, dear, " he told her. "I'mnot such a devouring monster as I may seem. Why, I wouldn't hurt a hairof your head. They are all precious to me. "

She quivered at his use of the word that Biddy had employed with suchvenom only a few minutes before; but still she said nothing. What couldshe say? Against this new weapon of his she was more helpless than ever. She hid her face against him and strove for self-control. 

He kissed her temple and the clustering hair above it. "There now! Youare not going to be a silly little scared fawn any more. Come along anddance it off!"

His arm encircled her shoulders; he began to lead her to the stairs. 

And Dinah went, slave-like in her submission, but hating herself the morefor every step she took. 

They went to the ballroom, and presently they danced. But the old subtlecharm was absent. Her feet moved to the rhythm of the music, her bodyswayed and pulsed to the behest of his; but her spirit stood apart, bruised and downcast and very much alone. Her gilded palace had fallenall about her in ruins. The deliverance to which she had looked forwardso eagerly was but another bondage that would prove more cruel and moreenslaving than the first. She longed with all her quivering heart to runaway and hide. 

He was very kind to her, more considerate than she had ever known him. Perhaps he missed the fairy abandonment which had so delighted him in herdancing of old; but he found no fault; and when the dance was over he didnot lead her away to some private corner as she had dreaded, but took herinstead to her father and stood with him for some time in talk. 

She saw Scott in the distance, but he did not approach her while Eustacewas with them, and when her _fiancé_ turned away at length he haddisappeared. 

They were left comparatively alone, and Dinah slipped an urgent hand intoher father's. "I want to go home, Daddy. I'm so tired. "

He looked at her in surprise, but she managed to muster a smile in reply, and he was not observant enough to note the distress that lay behind it. 

"Had enough of it, eh?" he questioned. "Well, I think you're wise. You'llbe busy to-morrow. By all means, let's go!"

It was not till the very last moment that she saw Scott again. He cameforward just as she was passing through the hall to the front door. 

He took the hand she held out to him, looking at her with those straight, steady eyes of his that there was no evading, but he made no comment ofany sort. 

"Mr. Grey is coming by a morning train to-morrow, " he said. "May I bringhim to call upon you in the afternoon? I believe he wants to run throughthe wedding-service with you beforehand. "

He smiled as he said it, but Dinah could not smile in answer. There wassomething ominous to her in that last sentence, something that made herthink of the clanking of chains. She was relieved to hear her fatheranswer for her. 

"Come by all means! Nothing like a dress rehearsal to make things gosmoothly. I'll tell my wife to expect you. "

Scott's hand relinquished hers, and she felt suddenly cold. She murmureda barely audible "Good night!" and turned away. 

From the portico she glanced back and saw Sir Eustace leading Rose deVigne to the ballroom. The light shone full upon them. They made asplendid couple. And a sudden bizarre thought smote her. This was whatthe gods had willed. This had been the weaving of destiny; andshe--she--had dared to intervene, frustrating, tearing the gilded, smooth-wrought threads apart. 

Ah well! It was done now. It was too late to draw back. But the wrath ofthe gods remained to be faced. Already it was upon her, and there was noescape. 

As one who hears a voice speaking from a far distance, she heard herselftelling her father that all was well with her and she had spent anenjoyable evening. 

Then she lay back in the car with clenched hands, and listened tremblingto the thundering wheels of Destiny. 

CHAPTER XV

THE SAPPHIRE FOR FRIENDSHIP

No girl ever worked harder in preparation for her own wedding than didDinah on the following day. 

That she had scarcely slept all night was a fact that no one suspected. Work-a-day Dinah, as her father was wont to call her, was not an objectof great solicitude to any in her home-circle, and for the first time inher life she was thankful that such was the case. 

Her mother's hard gipsy eyes watched only for delinquencies, and herrating tongue was actually a relief to Dinah after the dread solitude ofthose long hours. She was like a prisoner awaiting execution, and eventhat harsh companionship was in a measure helpful to her. 

The time passed with appalling swiftness. When the luncheon hour arrivedshe was horrified to find that the morning had gone. She could eatnothing, a fact which raised a jeering laugh from her mother and achaffing remonstrance from her father. Billy had gone riding on Rupertand had not returned. Billy always came and went exactly as he pleased. 

One or two more presents from friends of her father's had arrived by themidday post. Mrs. Bathurst unpacked them, admiring them with more than atouch of envy, assuring Dinah that she was a very lucky girl, luckierthan she deserved to be; but Dinah, though she acquiesced, had no heartfor presents. She could only see--as she had seen all through thenight--the piteous, marred face of a woman who had passed through such anintensity of suffering as she could only dimly guess at into the dark ofutter despair. She could only hear, whichever way she turned, theclanking of the chains that in so brief a time were to be weldedirrevocably about herself. 

Luncheon over, she went up to dress and to finish the packing of the newtrunks which were to accompany her upon her honeymoon. She had not evenyet begun to realize these strange belongings of hers. She could nolonger visualize herself as a bride. She looked upon all the finery asdestined for another, possibly Rose de Vigne, but emphatically not forherself. 

The wedding-dress and veil lying in their box, swathed in tissue-paper, had a gossamer unreality about them that even the sense of touch couldnot dispel. No--no! The bride of to-morrow was surely, surely, notherself!

They were to spend the first part of their honeymoon at a littleplace on the Cornish coast, very far from everywhere, as Sir Eustacesaid. She thought of that little place with a vague wonder. It was thestepping-stone between the life she now knew and that new unknown lifethat awaited her. She would go there just Dinah--work-a-day Dinah--herown ordinary self. She would leave a fortnight after, possibly less, atotally different being--a married woman, Lady Studley, part and parcelof Sir Eustace's train, his most intimate belonging, most exclusively hisown. 

She trembled afresh as this thought came home to her. Despite hisassurances, marriage seemed to her a terrible thing. It was like parting, not only with the old life, but with herself. 

She dressed mechanically, scarcely thinking of her appearance, rousedonly at length from her pre-occupation by the tread of hoofs under herwindow. She leaned forth quickly and discerned Scott on horseback, --atrim, upright figure, very confident in the saddle--and with him Billystill mounted on Rupert and evidently in the highest spirits. 

The latter spied her at once and accosted her in his cracked, cheerfulvoice. "Hi, Dinah! Come down! We're going to tea at the Court. Scott willwalk with you, and I'm going to ride his gee. "

He rolled off Rupert with the words. Scott looked up at her, faintlysmiling as he lifted his hat. "I hope that plan will suit you, " he said. "The fact is the padre has been detained and can't get here beforetea-time. So we thought--Eustace thought--you wouldn't mind coming up tothe Court to tea instead of waiting to see him here. "

It crossed her mind to wonder why Eustace had not come himself to fetchher, but she was conscious of a deep, unreasoning thankfulness that hehad not. Then, before she could reply, she heard her father's voice inthe porch, inviting Scott to enter. 

Scott accepted the invitation, and Dinah turned back into the room toprepare for the walk. 

Her hands were trembling so much that they could scarcely serve her. Shewas in a state of violent and uncontrollable agitation, longing onemoment to be gone, and the next desiring desperately to remain where shewas. The thought of facing the crowd at the Court filled her with apositive tumult of apprehension, but breathlessly she kept tellingherself that Scott would be there--Scott would be there. His shelteringpresence would be her protection. 

And then, still trembling, still unnerved, she descended to meet him. 

He was with her father in the drawing-room. The place was littered withwedding-presents. 

As she entered, he came towards her, and in a moment his quiet handclosed upon hers. Her father went out in search of her mother and theywere alone. 

"What a collection of beautiful things you have here!" he said. 

She looked at him, met his steady eyes, and suddenly some force of speechbroke loose within her; she uttered words wild and passionate, such asshe had never till that moment dreamed of uttering. 

"Oh, don't talk of them! Don't think of them! They suffocate me!"

She saw his face change, but she could not have analysed the expressionit took. He was silent for a moment, and in that moment his fingerstightened hard and close upon her hand. 

Then, "I have brought you a small offering on my own account, " he said inhis courteous, rather tired voice. "May I present it? Or would you ratherI waited a little?"

She felt the tears welling up, swiftly, swiftly, and clasped her throatto stay them. "Of course I would like it, " she murmured almostinarticulately. "That--that is different. "

He took a small, white packet from his pocket and put it into the hand hehad been holding, without a word. 

Dumbly, with quivering fingers, she opened it. There was something oftragedy in the silence, something of despair. 

The paper fluttered to the ground, leaving a leather case in her grasp. She glanced up at him. 

"Won't you look inside?" he said gently. 

She did so, in her eyes those burning tears she could not check. Andthere, gleaming on its bed of white velvet, she saw a wonderful jewel--agreat star-shaped sapphire, deep as the heart of a fathomless pool, edgedwith diamonds that flashed like the sun upon the ripples of its shores. She gazed and gazed in silence. It was the loveliest thing she had everseen. 

Scott was watching her, his eyes very still, unchangeably steadfast. "Thesapphire for friendship, " he said. 

She started as one awaking from a dream. In the passage outside thehalf-open door she heard the sound of her mother's voice approaching. With a swift movement she closed the case and hid it in her dress. 

"I can't show it to anyone yet, " she said hurriedly. 

Her tone appealed. He answered her immediately. "It is for you and no oneelse. "

His voice held nought but kindness, comprehension, comfort. 

He turned from her the next moment to meet her mother, and she heard himspeaking in his easy, leisured tones, gaining time for her, making herpath easy, as had ever been his custom. 

And again unbidden, unavoidable, there came to her the vision ofGreatheart--Greatheart the valiant--her knight of the golden armour, going before her, strong to defend, --invincible, unafraid, sure by meansof that sureness which is given only to those who draw upon a HigherPower than their own, given only to the serving-men of God. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE OPEN DOOR

Billy had already departed upon Scott's mount era he and Dinah set forthto walk to the Court. It was threatening to rain, and the ground beneaththeir feet was sodden and heavy. 

"It is rather a shame to ask you to walk, " said Scott, as they turned upthe muddy road. "They would have sent a car for you if I had thought. "

"I would much rather walk, " said Dinah. Her face was very pale. Shelooked years older than she had looked at Willowmount. After a moment sheadded, "We shall pass the church. Perhaps you would like to see it. Theywere going to decorate it this morning. "

"I should, " said Scott. 

He limped beside her, and she curbed her pace to his though the fever ofunrest that surged within her urged her forward. They went up the lanethat led to the church in almost unbroken silence. 

At the churchyard gate she paused. "I hope there is no one here, " shesaid uneasily. 

"We need not go in unless you wish, " he answered. 

But when they reached the porch, they found that the church was empty, and so they entered. 

A heavy scent of lilies pervaded the place. There was a wonderful whitearch of flowers at the top of the aisle, and the chancel was decked withthem. The space above the altar was a mass of white, perfumed splendour. They had been sent down from the Court that morning. 

Slowly Scott passed up the nave with the bride-elect by his side, straight to the chancel-steps, and there he paused. His pale face withits light eyes was absolutely composed and calm. He looked straight up tothe dim richness of the stained-glass window above him as though he sawbeyond the flowers. 

For many seconds Dinah stood beside him, awed, waiting as it were for thecoming of a revelation. Whatever it might be she knew already that shewould not leave that holy place in the state of hopeless turmoil in whichshe had entered. Something was coming to her, some new thing, that mightserve as an anchor in her distress even though it might not bring herultimate deliverance. 

Or stay! Was it a new thing? Was it not rather the unveiling of somethingwhich had always been? Her heart quickened and became audible in thestillness. She clasped her hands tightly together. And in that momentScott turned his head and looked at her. 

No word did he speak; only that straight, calm look--as of a man clean ofsoul and fearless of evil. It told her nothing, that look, it opened toher no secret chamber; neither did it probe her own quivering heart. Itwas the kindly, reassuring look of a friend ready to stand by, ready tolend a sure hand if such were needed. 

But by that look Dinah's revelation burst upon her. In that moment shesaw her own soul as never before had she seen it; and all the littlethings, the shallow things, the earthly things, faded quite away. With adeep, deep breath she opened her eyes upon the Vision of Love.... 

"Shall we go?" murmured Scott. 

She looked at him vaguely for a second, feeling stunned and blinded bythe radiance of that revelation. A black veil seemed to be descendingupon her; she put out a groping hand. 

He took it, and his hold was sustaining. He led her in silence down thelong, shadowy building to the porch. 

He would have led her further, but a sudden, heavy shower was falling, and he had to pause. She sank down trembling upon the stone seat. 

"Scott! Oh, Scott!" she said. "Help me!"

He made a slight, involuntary movement that passed unexplained. "I amhere to help you, my dear, " he said, his voice very quiet and even. "Youmustn't be scared, you know. You'll get through it all right. "

She wrung her hands together in her extremity. "It isn't that, "she told him. "I--I suppose I've got to go through it--as you say so. But--but--you'll think me very wicked, yet I must tell you--I've made--adreadful mistake. I'm marrying for money, for position, to get away fromhome, --anything but love. I don't love him. I know now that I nevershall--never can! And I'd give anything--anything--anything to escape!"

It was spoken. All the long-pent misgivings that had culminated in awfulcertainty the night before had so wrought in her that now--now that therevelation had come--she could no longer keep silence. But of thatrevelation she would sooner have died than speak. 

Scott heard that wrung confession, standing before her with a stillnessthat gave him a look of sternness. He spoke as she ended, possiblybecause he realized that she would not be able to endure the briefestsilence at that moment, possibly because he dreamed of filling up the gapere it widened to an irreparable breach. 

"But, Dinah, " he said, "don't you know he loves you?"

She flung her hands wide in a gesture of the most utter despair. "That'sjust the very worst part of it, " she said. "That's just why there is nogetting away. "

"You don't want his love?" Scott questioned, his voice very low. 

She shook her head in instant negation. "Oh no, no, no!"

He bent slightly towards her, looking into her face of quiveringagitation. "Dinah, are you sure it isn't all this pomp and circumstancethat is frightening you? Are you sure you have no love at all in yourheart for him?"

She did not shrink from his look. Though she thought his eyes were stern, she met them with the courage of desperation. "I am quite--quite--sure, "she told him brokenly. "I never loved him. I was dazzled, that's all. But now--but now--the glamour is all gone. I would give anything--oh, anything in the world--if only he would marry Rose de Vigne instead!"

Her voice failed and with it her strength. She covered her face and wepthopelessly, tragically. 

Scott stood motionless by her side. His brows were drawn as the brows ofa man in pain, but the eyes below them had the brightness of unwaveringresolution. There was something rocklike about his pose. 

The pattering of the rain mingled with the sound of Dinah's anguishedsobbing; there seemed to be no other sound in all the world. 

He moved at last, and into his eyes there came a very human look, dispelling all hardness. He bent to her again, his hand upon hershoulder. "My child, " he said gently, "don't be so distressed! It isn'ttoo late--even now. "

He felt her respond to his touch, but she could not lift her head. "I cannever face him, " she sobbed hopelessly. "I shall never, never dare!"

"You must face him, " Scott said quietly but very firmly. "You owe it tohim. Do you consider that you would be acting fairly by him if youmarried him solely for the reasons you have just given to me?"

She shrank at his words, trembling all over like a frightened child. Buthis hand was still upon her, restraining panic. 

"He will be so angry--so furious, " she faltered. 

"I will help you, " Scott said steadily. 

"Ah!" she caught at the promise with an eagerness that was piteous. "You won't leave me? You won't let me be alone with him? He can makeme do anything--anything--when I am alone with him. Oh, he is terribleenough--even when he is not angry. He told me once that--that--if I wereto slip out of his reach, he would follow--and kill me!"

The brightness returned to Scott's eyes; they shone with an almost steelygleam. "You needn't be afraid of that, " he said quietly. "Now tell me, Dinah, for I want to know; how long have you known that you didn't wantto marry him?"

But Dinah shrank at the question, as though he had probed a wound. "Oh, I can't tell you that! As long as I have realized that I was boundto him--I have been afraid! And now--now that it has come so close--" Shebroke off. "Oh, but I can't draw back now, " she said hopelessly. "Think--only think--what it will mean!"

Scott was silent for a few seconds, then: "If it would be easier for youto go on, " he said slowly, "perhaps--in the end--it may be better foryou; because he honestly loves you, and I think his love may make adifference--in the end. Possibly you are nearer to loving him even nowthan you imagine. If it is the dread of hurting him--not angeringhim--that holds you back, then I do not think you would be doing wrong tomarry him. If you are just scared by the thought of to-morrow andpossibly the day after--"

"Oh, but it isn't that! It isn't that!" Dinah cried the words outpassionately like a prisoner who sees the door of his cell closingfinally upon him. "It's because I'm not his! I don't belong tohim! I don't want to belong to him! The very thought makes mefeel--almost--sick!"

"Then there is someone else, " Scott said, with grave conviction. 

"Ah!" It was not so much a word as the sharp intake of breath thatfollows the last and keenest thrust of the probe that has reached theobject of its search. Dinah suddenly became rigid and yet vibrant asstretched wire. Her silence was the silence of the victim who dreads sounspeakably the suffering to come as to be scarcely aware of presentanguish. 

But Scott was merciful. He withdrew the probe and very pitifully heclosed the wound that he had opened. "No, no!" he said. "That has nothingto do with me--or with Eustace either. But it makes your case absolutelyplain. Come with me now--before you feel any worse about it--and ask himto give you your release!"

"Oh, Scott!" She looked up at him at last, and though there was a measureof relief in her eyes, her face was deathly. "Oh, Scott, --dare I dothat?"

"I shall be there, " he said. 

"Yes, --yes, you will be there! You won't leave me? Promise!" She claspedhis arm in entreaty. 

He looked into her eyes, and there was a great kindness in his own---thekindness of Greatheart arming himself to defend his pilgrims. "Yes, Ipromise that, " he said, adding, "unless I leave you at your own desire. "

"You will never do that, " Dinah said and smiled with quivering lips. "Youare good to me. Oh, you are good! But--but--"

"But what?" he questioned gently. 

"He may refuse to set me free, " she said desperately. "What then?"

"My dear, no one is married by force now-a-days, " he said. 

Her face changed as a sudden memory swept across her. "And my mother! Mymother!" she said. 

"Don't you think we had better deal with one difficulty at a time?"suggested Scott. 

His hand sought hers, he drew her to her feet. 

And, as one having no choice, she submitted and went with him. 

It was still raining, but the heaviest of the shower was over. A gleam ofsunshine lit the distance as they went, and a faint, faint ray of hopedawned in Dinah's heart at the sight. Though her deliverance was yet tobe achieved, though she dreaded unspeakably that which lay before her, atleast the door was open, could she but reach it to pass through. Shebreathed a purer air already. And beside her stood Greatheart thevaliant, covering her with his shield of gold. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE LION IN THE PATH

A large and merry party of guests were congregated in the great hall atPerrythorpe Court, having tea. One of them--a young soldier-cousin of theStudleys--was singing a sentimental ditty at a piano to which no one waslistening; and the hubbub was considerable. 

Dinah, admitted into the outer hall that was curtained off from the gaycrowd, shrank nearer to Scott as the cheery tumult reached her. 

"Need we--must we--go in that way?" she whispered. 

There was a door on the right of the porch. Scott turned towards it. 

"I suppose we can go in there?" he said to the man who had admitted them. 

"The gun-room, sir? Yes, if you wish, sir. Shall I bring tea?"

"No, " Scott said quietly. "Find Sir Eustace Studley if you can, and askhim to join us there! Come along, Dinah!"

His hand touched her arm. She entered the little room as one seekingrefuge. It led into a conservatory, and thence to the garden. Theapartment itself was given up entirely to weapons or instruments ofsport. Guns, fishing-rods, hunting-stocks, golf-clubs, tennis-rackets, were stored in various racks and stands. A smell of stale cigar-smokepervaded it. Colonel de Vigne was wont to retire hither at night inpreference to the less cosy and intimate smoking-room. 

But there was no one here now, and Scott laid hat and riding-whip uponthe table and drew forward a chair for his companion. 

She looked at him and tried to thank him, but she was voiceless. Her palelips moved without sound. 

Scott's eyes were very kindly. "Don't be so frightened, child!" he said;and then, a sudden thought striking him, "Look here! You go and wait inthe conservatory and let me speak to him first! Yes, that will be thebest way. Come!"

His hand touched her again. She turned as one compelled. But as he openedthe glass door, she found her voice. 

"Oh, I ought not to--to let you face him alone. I must be brave. I must. "

"Yes, you must, " Scott answered. "But I will see him alone first. It willmake it easier for everyone. "

Yet for a moment she halted still. "You really mean it? You wish it?"

"Yes, I wish it, " he said. "Wait in here till I call you!"

She took him at his word. There was no other course. He closed the doorupon her and turned back alone. 

He sat down in the chair that he had placed for her and became motionlessas a figure carved in bronze. His pale face and trim, colourless beardwere in shadow, his eyes were lowered. There was scarcely an inanimateobject in the room as insignificant and unimposing as he, and yet in hisstillness, in his utter unobtrusiveness, there lay a strength such as thestrongest knight who ever rode in armour might have envied. 

There came a careless step without, a hand upon the door. It opened, andSir Eustace, handsome, self-assured, slightly haughty, strode into theroom. 

"Hullo, Stumpy! What do you want? I can't stop. I am booked to playbilliards with Miss de Vigne. A test match to demonstrate the steadinessof my nerves!"

Scott stood up. "I have a bigger test for you than that, old chap, " hesaid. "Shut the door if you don't mind!"

Sir Eustace sent him a swift, edged glance. "I can't stop, " he saidagain. "What is it? Some mare's nest about Isabel?"

"No, nothing whatever to do with Isabel. Shut the door, man! I must bealone with you for a few minutes. " Scott spoke with unwonted vehemence. The careless notes of the piano, the merry tumult of chattering voices, seemed to affect him oddly, almost to exasperate him. 

Sir Eustace turned and swung the door shut; then with less than hiscustomary arrogance he came to Scott. "What's the matter?" he said. "Outwith it! Don't break the news if you can help it!"

His eyes belied the banter of his words. They shone as the eyes of afighter meeting odds. There was something leonine about him at themoment, something of the primitive animal roused from its lair andscenting danger. 

He looked into Scott's pale face with the dawning of a threateningexpression upon his own. 

And Scott met the threat full and square and unflinching. "I've come totell you, " he said, "about the hardest thing one man can tell another. Dinah wishes to be released from her engagement. "

His words were brief but very distinct. He stiffened as he uttered them, almost as if he expected a blow. 

But Sir Eustace stood silent and still, with only the growing menace inhis eyes to show that he had heard. 

Several seconds dragged away ere he made either sound or movement. Then, with a sudden, fierce gesture, he gripped Scott by the shoulder. "And youhave the damnable impertinence to come and tell me!" he said. 

There was violence barely restrained in voice and action. He held Scottas if he would fling him against the wall. 

But Scott remained absolutely passive, enduring the savage grip with nosign of resentment. Only into his steady eyes there came that gleam as ofsteel that leaps to steel. 

"I have told you, " he said, "because I have no choice. She wishes to beset free, and--she fears you too much to tell you so herself. "

Sir Eustace broke in upon him with a furious laugh that was in somefashion more insulting than a blow on the mouth. "And she has deputed youto do so on her behalf! Highly suitable! Or did you volunteer for thejob, most fearless knight?"

"I offered to help her--certainly. " Scott's voice was as free fromagitation as his pose. "I would help any woman under such circumstances. It's no easy thing for her to break off her engagement at this stage. Andshe is such a child. She needs help. "

"She shall have it, " said Eustace grimly. "But--since you are here--Iwill deal with you first. Do you think I am going to endure anyinterference in this matter from you? Think it over calmly. Do you?"

His hold upon Scott had become an open threat. His eyes were a red blazeof anger. In that moment the animal in him was predominant, overwhelming. He was furious with the fury of the wounded beast that is beyond allcontrol. 

Scott realized the fact, and grasped his own self-control with a firmerhand. "It's no good my telling you that I hate my job, " he said. "You'llhardly believe me if I do. But I've got to stick to it, beastly as it is. I can't stand by and see her married against her will. For that is whatit amounts to. She would give anything she has to be free. She told meso. I'm infernally sorry. Perhaps you won't believe that either. But I'vegot to see this thing through now. "

"Have you?" said Eustace, and suddenly his words came clipped and harshfrom between set teeth. "And you think I'm going to endure it--standaside tamely--while you turn an attack of stage-fright into a just causeand impediment to prevent my marriage! I should have thought you wouldhave known me better by this time. But if you don't, you shall learn. Nowlisten! I am in dead earnest. If you don't drop this foolery, give meyour word of honour here and now to leave this matter in my handsalone, --I'll thrash you to a pulp!"

He spoke with terrible intention. His whole being pulsated behind thewords. And Scott's slight frame stiffened to rigidity in answer. 

"You may grind me to powder!" he flung back, and in his voice theresounded a curiously vibrant quality as of finely-tempered steel that willbend but never break. "But you can't--and you shan't--force that childinto marrying you against her will! That I swear--by God in Heaven!"

There was amazing force in the utterance, he also had thrown off theshackles. But his strength had about it nothing of the brute. Stripped tothe soul, he stood up a man. 

And against his will Eustace recognized the fact, realized the Invinciblemanifest in the clay, and in spite of himself was influenced thereby. Thesavage in him drew back abashed, aware of mastery. 

Abruptly he released him and turned away. "You're a fool to tempt me, " hesaid. "And a still greater fool to take her seriously. As I tell you, it's nothing but stage-fright. She had a touch of it yesterday. I'll comeround presently and make it all right. "

"You can only make it right by setting her free, " Scott made answer. "There is no other course. Do you suppose I should have come to you inthis way if there had been?"

Sir Eustace was moving to the door by which he had entered. He flung abackward look that was intensely evil over his shoulder at the punyfigure of the man behind him. 

"I can imagine you playing any damned trick under the sun to serve yourown interests, " he said, his lip curling in in an intolerable sneer. "Butthe deepest strategy fails occasionally. You haven't been quite subtleenough this time. "

He was at the door as he uttered the last biting sentence, but so alsowas Scott. With a movement of incredible swiftness and impetuosity heflung himself forward. Their hands met upon the handle, and his remainedin possession, for in sheer astonishment Eustace drew back. 

They faced one another in the evening light, Scott pale to the lips, inhis eyes an electric blaze that made them almost unbearably bright, Eustace, heavy-browed, lowering, the red glare of savagery gleaming likea smouldering flame, ready to leap forth in devastating fury to meet thefierce white heat that confronted him. 

An awful silence hung between them--a silence of unutterable emotions, more poignant with passion than any strife or clash of weapons. Andthrough it like a mocking under-current there ran the distant tinkle ofthe piano, the echoes of careless laughter beyond the closed door. 

Then at last--it seemed with difficulty--Scott spoke, his voice very low, oddly jerky. "What do you mean by that? Tell me what you mean!"

Sir Eustace made an abrupt gesture, --the gesture of the swordsman onguard. He met the attack instantly and unwaveringly, but his look waswary. He did not seek to throw the lesser man from his path. As it wereinstinctively, though possibly for the first time in his life, he treatedhim as an equal. 

"You know what I mean!" he made fierce rejoinder. "Even you can hardlypretend ignorance on that point. "

"Even I!" Scott uttered a short, hard laugh that seemed to escape himagainst his will. "All the same, I will have an explanation, " he said. "I prefer a straight charge, notwithstanding my damned subtlety. You willeither explain or withdraw. "

"As you like, " Sir Eustace yielded the point, and again he actedinstinctively, not realizing that he had no choice. "I mean that from thevery beginning of things you have been influencing her against me, tryingto win her from me. You never intended me to propose to her in the firstplace. You never imagined that I would do such a thing. You only thoughtof driving me off the ground and clearing it for yourself. I saw yourgame long ago. When you lost one trick, you tried for another. I knew--Iknew all along. But the game is up now, and you've lost. " A very bittersmile curved his mouth with the words. "There is your explanation, " hesaid. "I hope you are satisfied. "

"But I am not satisfied!" Quick as lightning came the _riposte_. Scottstood upright against the closed door. His eyes, unflickering, dazzlinglybright, were fixed upon his brother's face. "I am not satisfied, " herepeated, and his words were as sternly direct as his look; he spoke asone compelled by some inner, driving force, "because what you have justsaid to me--this foul thing you believe of me--is utterly and absolutelywithout foundation. I have never tried--or dreamed of trying--to win herfrom you. I speak as before God. In this matter I have never been otherthan loyal either to you or to my own honour. If any other man insultedme in this fashion, " his face worked a little, but he controlled itsharply, "I wouldn't have stooped to answer him. But you--I suppose Imust allow you the--privilege of brotherhood. And so I ask you tobelieve--at least to make an effort to believe--that you have made amistake. "

His voice was absolutely quiet as he ended. The dignity of his utterancehad in it even a touch of the sublime, and the elder man was aware of it, felt the force of it, was humbled by it. He stood a moment or two as oneirresolute, halting at a difficult choice. Then, with an abrupt lift ofthe head as though his pride made fierce resistance, he gave ground. 

"If I have wronged you, I apologize, " he said with brevity. 

Scott smiled faintly, wryly. "If--" he said. 

"Very well, I withdraw the 'if. '" Sir Eustace spoke impatiently, not asone desiring reconciliation. "You laid yourself open to it by acceptingthe position of ambassador. I don't know how you could seriously imaginethat I would treat with you in that capacity. If Dinah has anything tosay to me, she must say it herself. "

"She will do so, " Scott spoke with steady assurance. "But before you seeher, I think I ought to tell you that her reason for wishing to be setfree is not stage-fright or any childish nonsense of that kind; butsimply the plain fact that her heart is not in the compact. She has foundout that she doesn't love you enough. "

"She told you so?" demanded Sir Eustace. 

Scott bent his head, for the first time averting his eyes from hisbrother's face. "Yes. "

"And she wished you to tell me?" There was a metallic ring in SirEustace's voice; the red glare was gone from his eyes, they were cold andhard as a winter sky. 

"Yes, " Scott said again, still not looking at him. 

"And why?" The words fell brief and imperious, compelling in theirincisiveness. 

Scott's eyes returned to his, almost in protest. "I told her you ought toknow, " he said. 

"Then she would not have told me otherwise?"

"Possibly not. "

There fell another silence. Sir Eustace looked hard and straight into thepale eyes, as though he would pierce to the soul behind. But though Scottmet the look unwavering, his soul was beyond all scrutiny. There wassomething about him that baffled all search, something colossal thatbarred the way. For the second time Sir Eustace realized himself to be ata disadvantage; haughtily he passed the matter by. 

"In that case there is nothing further to be said. You have fulfilledyour somewhat rash undertaking, and that you have come out of thebusiness with a whole skin is a bigger piece of luck than you deserved. If Dinah wishes this matter to go any further, she must come to meherself. "

"Otherwise you will take no action?" Scott's voice had its old somewhatweary intonation. The animation seemed to have died out of him. 

"Exactly. " Sir Eustace answered him with equal deliberation. "So far asyou are concerned the incident is now closed. "

Scott took his hand from the door and moved slowly away. "I have put thewhole case before you, " he said. "I think you clearly understand that ifyou are going to try and use force, I am bound--as a friend--to take herpart against you. She relies upon me for that, and--I shall notdisappoint her. You see, " a hint of compassion sounded in his voice, "shehas always been afraid of you; and she knows that I am not. "

Sir Eustace smiled cynically. "Oh, you have always been ready to rushin!" he said. "Doubtless your weakness is your strength. "

Scott met the gibe with tightened lips. He made no attempt to reply toit. "The only thing left, " he said quietly, "is for you to see her andhear what she has to say. She is waiting in the conservatory. "

"She is waiting?" Eustace wheeled swiftly. 

Scott was already half-way across the room. He strode forward, andintercepted him. 

"You can go, " he said curtly. "You have done your part. This business ismine, not yours. "

Scott stood still. "I have promised to see her through, " he said. "I mustkeep my promise. "

Sir Eustace looked for a single instant as if he would strike him down;and then abruptly, inexplicably he gave way. 

"Very well, " he said. "Fetch her in!"

CHAPTER XVIII

THE TRUTH

At Scott's quiet summons Dinah entered. What she had passed throughduring those minutes of waiting was written in her face. She lookeddeathly. 

Sir Eustace did not move to meet her. He stood by the table, veryupright, very stern, uncompromisingly silent. 

Dinah gave him one quivering glance, and turned appealingly to Scott. 

"Don't be nervous!" he said gently. "There is no need. I have told himyour wish. "

She was terrified, but the ordeal had to be faced. She summoned all herstrength, and went forward. 

"Oh, Eustace, " she said piteously, "I am so dreadfully sorry. "

He looked down at her, his face like a marble mask. "So, " he said, "youwant to throw me over!"

She clasped her hands very tightly before her. "Oh, I know it's hatefulof me, " she said. 

He made a slight, disdainful gesture. "Did you make up your mind or didScott make it up for you?"

"No, no!" she cried in distress. "It was not his doing. I--I just toldhim, that was all. "

"And you now desire him for a witness, " suggested Sir Eustace cynically. 

Dinah looked again towards Scott. He stood against the mantelpiece, asgrimly upright as his brother and again oddly she was struck by thesimilarity between them. She could not have said wherein it lay, but shehad never seen it more marked. 

He spoke very quietly in answer to her look. "I have promised to stay foras long as you want me, but if you wish to be alone with Eustace for afew minutes, I will wait in the conservatory. "

"Yes, let him do that!" Imperiously Eustace accepted the suggestion. "Weshall not keep him long. "

Dinah stood hesitating. Scott was looking at her very steadily andreassuringly. His eyes seemed to be telling her that she had nothing tofear. But he would not move without her word, and in the end reluctantlyshe gave in. 

"Very well, " she said, in a low voice. "If--if you will wait!"

"I will, " Scott said. 

He limped across the room to the open door, passed through, closed itsoftly behind him. And Dinah was left to face her monster alone. 

She did not look at Sir Eustace in the first dreadful moments thatfollowed Scott's exit. She was horribly afraid. There was to hersomething inexpressibly ruthless in his very silence. She longed yetdreaded to hear him speak. 

He did not do so for many seconds, and she thought by his utter stillnessthat he must be listening to the wild throbbing of her heart. 

Then at last, just as the tension of waiting was becoming unbearable andshe was on the verge of piteous entreaty, he seated himself on the edgeof the table and spoke. 

"Well, " he said, "we have got to get at the root of this trouble somehow. You don't propose to throw me over without telling me why, I suppose?"

His voice was perfectly calm. She even fancied that he was faintlysmiling as he uttered the words, but she could not look at him to see. She found it difficult enough to speak in answer. 

"I know I am treating you very badly, " she said, wringing her claspedhands in her agitation. "You--of course you can make me marry you. I've promised myself to you. You have the right. But if you willonly--only let me go, I am sure it will be much better for you too. Because--because--I've found out--I've found out--that I don't love you. "

It was the greatest effort she had ever made in her life. She wonderedafterwards how she had ever brought herself to accomplish it. It was sohard--so hideously hard--to face him, this man who loved her sooverwhelmingly, and tell him that he had failed to win her love inreturn. And at the eleventh hour--to treat him thus! If he had taken herby the throat and wrung her neck, she would have considered him justifiedand herself but righteously punished. 

But he did nothing of a violent nature. He only sat there looking at her, and though she could not bring herself to meet his look she knew that itheld no anger. 

He did not speak, and she went on with a species of desperate pleading, because silence was so intolerable. "It wouldn't be right of me to--tomarry you and not tell you, would it? It wouldn't be fair. It would belike marrying you under false pretences. I only wish--oh, I do wish--thatI had known sooner, when you first asked me. I might have known. I oughtto have known! But--but--somehow--" she began to falter badly and finallyconcluded in a piteous whisper--"I didn't. "

"How did you find out?" he said. His tone was still perfectly quiet; buthe spoke judicially, as one who meant to have an answer. 

But Dinah had no answer for him. It was the very question to which therecould be no reply. Her fingers interlaced and strained against eachother. She stood mute. 

"I think you can tell me that, " Eustace said. 

She made a small but vehement gesture of negation. "I can't!" she said. "It's--it's--private. "

"You mean you won't?" he questioned. 

She nodded silently, too distressed for speech. 

He got to his feet with finality. "That ends the case then, " he said. "The appeal is dismissed. You can give me no adequate reason forreleasing you. Therefore, I keep you to your engagement. "

Dinah uttered a gasp. She had not expected this. For the first time shemet his look fully, met the blue, dominant eyes, the faint, supercilioussmile. And dismay struck through and through her as she realized that hehad made her captive again with scarcely a struggle. 

"Oh, but you can't--you can't!" she said. 

He raised his brows. "We shall see, " he said. "Mean-time--" He paused, looking at her, and suddenly the old hot glitter flashed forth, dazzlingher, hypnotizing her; he uttered a low laugh and took her in his arms. "Daphne, you will-o'-the-wisp, you witch, how dare you?"

She made no outcry or resistance, realizing in a single stunning secondthe mastery that would not be denied; only ere his lips reached her, shesank down in his hold, hiding her face and praying him brokenly, imploringly, to let her go. 

"Oh, please--oh, please--if you love me--do be kind--do be generous! Ican't go on--indeed--indeed! Oh, Eustace, --Eustace--do forgive me--andlet me go!"

"I will not!" he said. "I will not!"

She heard the rising passion in his voice, and her heart died within her;she sank lower, till but for his upholding arms she would have beenkneeling at his feet. And then quite suddenly her strength went from her;she hung powerless, almost fainting in his grasp. 

She scarcely knew what happened next, save that the fierceness went outof his hold like the passing of an evil dream. He lifted and held herwhile the darkness surged around.... And then presently she heard hisvoice, very low, amazingly tender, speaking into her ear. "Dinah! Dinah!What has come to you? Don't you know that I love you? Didn't I tell youso only last night?"

She leaned against him palpitating, unstrung, piteously distressed. "That's what makes it--so dreadful, " she whispered. "I wish I were dead!Oh, I do wish I were dead!"

"Nonsense!" he said. "Nonsense!" He put his hand upon her head, pressingit against his breast. "Little sweetheart, what has happened to you? Tellme what is the matter!"

That was the hardest to face of all, that he should subdue himself, restrain his passion to pour out to her that which was infinitely greaterthan passion; she made a little sound that seemed to come straight fromher heart. 

"Oh, I can't tell you!" she sobbed into his shoulder. "I can't think howI ever made such a terrible mistake. But if only--oh, if only--you couldmarry Rose instead! It would be so very much better for everybody. "

"Marry Rose!" he said. "What on earth made you think of that at thisstage?"

"I always thought you would--in Switzerland, " she explained ratherincoherently. "I--never really thought--I could cut her out. "

"Is that what you did it for?" An odd note sounded in Sir Eustace'svoice, as though some irony of circumstance had forced his sense ofhumour. 

"Just at first, " whispered Dinah. "Oh, don't be angry! Please don't beangry! You--you weren't in earnest either just at first. "

He considered the matter in silence for a few moments. Thenhalf-quizzically, "I don't see that that is any reason for throwing meover now, " he said. "If you don't love me to-day, you will to-morrow. "

She shook her head. 

"Quite sure?" he said. 

"Quite, " she answered faintly. 

His hand was still upon her head, and it remained there. He held herclosely pressed to him. 

For a space again he was silent, his dark face bent over her, his lipsactually touching her hair. Of what was passing in his mind she had nonotion, and she dared not lift her head to look. She dreaded each momenta return of that tornado-like passion that had so often appalled her. But it did not come. His arms held her indeed, but without violence, andin his stillness there was no tension to denote its presence. 

He spoke at length, almost whispering. "Dinah, who is the lucky fellow?Tell me!"

She started away from him. She almost cried out in her dismay. But hestopped her. He took her face between his hands with an insistence thatwould not be denied. He looked closely, searchingly, into her eyes. 

"Is it Scott?" he said. 

She did not answer him. She stood as one paralysed, and up over face andneck and all her trembling body, enwrapping her like a flame, there rosea scorching, agonizing blush. 

He held her there before him and watched it, and she saw that his eyeswere piercingly bright, with the brightness of burnished steel. She couldnot turn her own away from them, though her whole soul shrank from thatstark scrutiny. In anguish of mind she faced him, helpless, unutterablyashamed, while that burning blush throbbed fiercely through every veinand gradually died away. 

He let her go at last very slowly. "I--see, " he said. 

She put her hands up over her face with a childish, piteous gesture. Shefelt as if he had ruthlessly torn from her the one secret treasure thatshe cherished. She was free--she knew she was free. But at what a cost!

"So, " Eustace said, "that's it, is it? We've got at the truth at last!"

She quivered at the words. Her whole being seemed to be shrivelled asthough it had passed through the fire. He had wrenched her secret fromher, and she had nothing more to hide. 

Sir Eustace walked to the end of the room and back. He halted close toher, but he did not touch her. He spoke, briefly and sternly. 

"How long has this been going on?"

She looked up at him, her face pathetically pinched and small. "It hasn'tbeen going on. I--only realized it to-day. He doesn't know. He never mustknow!" A sudden sharp note of anxiety sounded in her voice. "He nevermust know!" she reiterated with emphasis. 

"He hasn't made love to you then?" Sir Eustace spoke in the same curttone; his mouth was merciless. 

She started as if stung. "Oh no! Oh no! Of course he hasn't! He--hedoesn't care for me--like that. Why should he?"

Eustace's grim lips twitched a little. "Why indeed? Well, it's lucky forhim he hasn't. If he had, I'd have half killed him for it!"

There was concentrated savagery in his tone. His eyes shone with a firethat made her shrink. And then very suddenly he put his hand upon hershoulder. 

"Do you mean to tell me that you want to throw me over solely because youimagine you care for a man who doesn't care for you?" he asked. 

She looked up at him piteously, "Oh, please don't ask me any more!" shesaid. 

"But I want to know, " he said stubbornly. "Is that your only reason?"

With difficulty she answered him. "No. "

"Then what more?" he demanded. 

It was inevitable. She made a desperate effort to be brave. "I couldn'tbe happy with you. I am afraid of you. And--and--you are not kind to--toIsabel. "

"Who says I am not kind to Isabel?" His hand pressed upon her ominously;his look was implacably stern. 

But the effort to be brave had given her strength. She stiffened in hishold. "I know it, " she said. "I have seen it. She is always miserablewhen you are there. "

He frowned upon her heavily. "You don't understand. Isabel is veryhysterical. She needs a firm hand. "

"You are more than firm, " Dinah said. "You are--cruel. "

Never in her wildest moments had she imagined herself making such anindictment. She marvelled at herself even as it left her lips. Butsomething seemed to have entered into her, taking away her fear. Not tilllong afterwards did she realize that it was her new-found womanhood thathad come upon her all unawares during that poignant interview. 

She faced him without a tremor as she uttered the words, and he receivedthem in a silence so absolute that she went on with scarcely a pause. "Not only to Isabel, but to everyone; to Scott, to that poor poacher, tome. You don't believe it, because it is your nature. But it is true allthe same. And I think cruelty is a most dreadful thing. It's a vice thatnot all the virtues put together could counter-balance. "

"When have I been cruel to you?" he said. 

His tone was quiet, his face mask-like; but she thought that fury ragedbehind his calm. And still she knew no fear, felt no faintest dread ofconsequence. 

"All your love-making has been cruel, " she said. "Only once--no, twicenow--have you been the least bit kind to me. It's no good talking. You'dnever understand. I've lain awake often in the night with the dread ofyou. But"--her voice shook slightly--"I didn't know what I wanted, soI kept on. Now that I do know--though I shall never have it--it's made adifference, and I can't go on. You don't want me any more now I've toldyou, so it won't hurt you so very badly to let me go. "

"You are wrong, " he said, and suddenly she knew that out of his silenceor her speech had developed something that was strange and new. His voicewas quick and low, utterly devoid of its customary arrogance. "I want youmore than ever! Dinah--Dinah, I may have been a brute to you. You'reright. I often am a brute. But marry me--only marry me--and I swear toyou that I will be kind!"

His calm was gone. He leaned towards her urgently, his dark face aglowwith a light that was not passion. She had deemed him furious, andbehold, she had him at her feet! Her ogre was gone for ever. He hadcrumbled at a touch. She saw before her a man, a man who loved her, aman whom she might eventually have come to love but for--

She caught her breath in a sharp sob, and put forth a hand in pleading. "Eustace, don't! Please don't! I can't bear it. You--you must set mefree!"

"You are free as air, " he said. 

"Am I? Then don't--don't ask me to bind myself again! For I can't--Ican't. I want to go away. I want to be quiet. " She broke down suddenly. The strain was past, the battle over. She had vanquished him, how shescarcely knew; but her own brief strength was tottering now. "Let me gohome!" she begged. "Tell Scott I've gone! Tell everyone there won't be awedding after all! Say I'm dreadfully sorry! It's my fault--all my fault!I ought to have known!" Her tears blinded her, silenced her. She turnedtowards the door. 

"Won't you say good-bye to me?" Eustace said. 

Her voice was low and very steady. The glow was gone. He was calm again, absolutely calm. With the failure of that one urgent appeal, he seemed tohave withdrawn his forces, accepting defeat. 

She turned back gropingly. "Good-bye--good-bye--" shewhispered, "and--thank you!"

He put his arm around her, and bending kissed her forehead. "Don't cry, dear!" he said. 

His manner was perfectly kind, supremely gentle. She hardly knew himthus. Again her heart smote her in overwhelming self-reproach. "Oh, Eustace, forgive me for hurting you so--forgive me--for all I've said!"

"For telling me the truth?" he said. "No, I don't forgive you for that. "

She broke down utterly and sobbed aloud. "I wish--I wish I hadn't! Howcould I do it? I hate myself!"

"No--no, " he said. "It's all right. You've done nothing wrong. Run home, child! Don't cry! Don't cry!"

His hand touched her hair under the soft cap, touched and lingered. Buthe did not hold her to him. 

"Run home!" he said again. 

"And--and--you won't--won't--tell--Scott?" she whispered through hertears. 

"But I don't think even I am such a bounder as that!" he said gently. "Doyou?"

She lifted her face impulsively. She kissed him with quivering lips. "No--no. I didn't mean it. Good-bye Oh, good-bye!"

He kissed her in return. "Good-bye!" he said. 

And so they parted. 

CHAPTER XIX

THE FURNACE

The bridal dress with its filmy veil still lay in its white box--a fairygarment that had survived the catastrophe. Dinah sat and looked at itdully. The light of her single candle shimmered upon the soft folds. Howbeautiful it was!

She had been sitting there for hours, after a terrible scene with hermother downstairs, and from acute distress she had passed into a state oftorpid misery that enveloped her like a black cloud. She felt almost tooexhausted, too numbed, to think. Her thoughts wandered drearily back andforth. She was sure she had been very greatly to blame, yet she could notfix upon any definite juncture at which she had begun to go wrong. Herengagement had been such a whirlwind of Fate. She had been carried offher feet from the very beginning. And the deliverance from the homebondage had seemed so fair a prospect. Now she was plunged, back againinto that bondage, and she was firmly convinced that no chance of freedomwould ever be offered to her again. Yet she knew that she had done rightto draw back. Regret it though she might again and again in the bitterdays to come, she knew--and she would always know--that at the eleventhhour she had done right. 

She had been true to the greatest impulse that had ever stirredher soul. It had been at a frightful cost. She had sacrificedeverything--everything--to a vision that she might never realize. Shehad cast away all the glitter and the wealth for this far greater thingwhich yet could never be more to her than a golden dream. She had evencast away love, and her heart still bled at the memory. But she had beentrue--she had been true. 

Not yet was the sacrifice ended. She knew that a cruel ordeal yet awaitedher. There was the morrow to be faced, the morrow with its renewal ofdisgrace and punishment. Her mother was furious with her, so furious thatfor the first time in her life her father had intervened on her behalfand temporarily restrained the flow of wrath. Perhaps he had seen herutter weariness, for he had advised her, not unkindly, to go to bed. Shehad gone to her room, thankful to escape, but neither tea nor supper hadfollowed her thither. Billy had come to bid her good night long ago, but, though he had not said so, he also, it seemed, was secretly disgustedwith her, and he had not lingered. It would be the same with everyone, she thought to herself wearily. No one would ever realize how terriblyhard it had all been. No one would dream of extending any pity to her. And of course she had done wrong. She knew it, was quite ready to admitit. But the wrong had lain in accepting that overweaning lover of hers, not in giving him up. Also, she ought to have found out long ago. Shewondered how it was she hadn't. It had never been a happy engagement. 

Again her eyes wandered to the exquisite folds of that dress which shewas never to wear. How she had loved the thought of it and all the lovelythings that Isabel had procured for her! What would become of them all, she wondered? All the presents downstairs would have to go back. Yes, andEustace's ring! She had forgotten that. She slipped it off her fingerwith a little dry sob, and put it aside. And the necklace of pearls thatshe had always thought so much too good for her, but which would havelooked so beautiful on the wedding-dress; that must be returned. Verystrangely that thought pierced the dull ache of her heart with a merepoignant pain. And following it came another, stabbing her like a knife. The sapphire for friendship--his sapphire--that would have to go too. There would be nothing left when it was all over. 

And she would never see any of them any more. She would drop out of theirlives and be forgotten. Even Isabel would not want her now that she hadbehaved so badly. She had made Sir Eustace the talk of the County. Solong as they remembered her they would never forgive her for that. 

Sir Eustace might forgive. He had been extraordinarily generous. A lumprose in her throat as she thought of him. But the de Vignes, all thosewedding guests who were to have honoured the occasion, they would alllook upon her with contumely for evermore. No wonder her mother wasenraged against her! No wonder! No wonder! She would never have anotherchance of holding up her head in such society again. 

A great sigh escaped her. What was the good of sitting there thinking?She had undressed long ago, and she was cold from head to foot. Yetsomehow she had forgotten or been too miserable to go to bed. Shesupposed she had been waiting for the soothing tears that did not come. Or had she meant to pray? She could not remember, and in any case prayerseemed out of the question. Her life had been filled with delight for afew delirious weeks, but it had all drained away. She did not want itback again. She scarcely knew what she wanted, save the great Impossiblefor which she lacked the heart to pray. And no doubt God was angry withher too, or she could not feel like this! So what was the good ofattempting it?

Wearily she turned to put out her candle. But ere her hand reached it, she paused in swift apprehension. 

The next instant sharply she started round to see the door open, and hermother entered the room. 

Gaunt, forbidding, full of purpose, she walked in, and set her candledown beside the one that Dinah had been about to extinguish. 

"Get up!" she said to the startled girl. "Don't sit there gaping at me!I've come here to give you a lesson, and it will be a pretty severe one Ican tell you if you attempt to disobey me. "

"What do you want me to do?" breathed Dinah. 

She stood up at the harsh behest, but she was trembling so much that herknees would scarcely support her. Her heart was throbbing violently, andeach throb seemed as if it would choke her. She had seen that inflexiblygrim look often before upon her mother's face, and she knew from bitterexperience that it portended merciless treatment. 

Mrs. Bathurst did not reply immediately. She went to a little table in acorner which Dinah used for writing purposes, and opened a blotter thatlay upon it. From this she took a sheet of note-paper and laid it inreadiness, found Dinah's pen, opened the ink-pot. Then, over hershoulder, she flung a curt command: "Come here!"

Dinah went, every nerve in her body tingling, her face and hands cold asice. 

Mrs. Bathurst glanced at her with a contemptuous smile. "Sit down, youlittle fool!" she said. "Now, you take that pen and write at mydictation!"

Dinah shrank at the rough words. She felt like a child about to receivecorporal punishment. The vindictive force of the woman seemed to beat herdown. Writhe and strain as she might, she was bound to suffer both thepain and the indignity to the uttermost limit; for she lacked thestrength to break free. 

She did not sit down however. She remained standing by the little table. 

"Mother, " she said through her white lips, "what do you want me to do?"

She could scarcely keep her teeth from chattering, and Mrs. Bathurstnoted the fact with another grim smile. 

"What am I going to make you do would be more to the purpose, my girl, wouldn't it?" she said. "Sit down there, and you'll find out!"

Dinah leaned upon the little table to steady herself. "Tell me what it isI am to do!" she said. 

"Ah! That's better. " A note of bitter humour sounded in Mrs. Bathurst'svoice. "Sit down!"

She thrust out a bony hand, and gripped her by the shoulder, forcing herdownwards. 

Dinah dropped into the chair, and sat motionless. 

"Take your pen!" Mrs. Bathurst commanded. 

She hesitated; and instantly, with a violent movement, her mothersnatched it up and held it in front of her. 

"Take it!"

Dinah took it with fingers so numb that they were almost powerless. 

"Now, " said Mrs. Bathurst, "I will tell you what you are going to do. Youare going to write to Sir Eustace at my dictation, and tell him that youare very sorry, you have made a mistake, and beg him to forget it andmarry you to-morrow as arranged. "

"Mother! No!" Dinah started as if at a blow; the pen dropped from herfingers. "Oh no! I can't indeed--indeed!"

"You will!" said Mrs. Bathurst. 

Her hand gripped the slender shoulder with cruel force. She bent, bringing her harsh features close to her daughter's blanched face. 

"Just you remember one thing!" she said, her voice low and menacing. "You've never succeeded in defying me yet, and you won't do it now. I'llconquer you--I'll break you--if it takes me all night to do it!"

Dinah recoiled before the unshackled fury that suddenly blazed in thegipsy eyes that looked into hers. Sheer horror sprang into her own. 

"Oh, but I can't--I can't!" she reiterated in an agony. "I don't lovehim. He knows it. I ought to have found out before, but I didn't. Mother--Mother--" piteously she began to plead--"you--you can't want tomake me marry a man I don't love? You--you would never--surely--have donesuch a thing yourself!"

Mrs. Bathurst made a sharp gesture as if something had pierced her. Sheshook the shoulder she grasped. "Love!" she said. "Oh, don't talk to meof love! Do you imagine--have you ever imagined--that I married thatfox-hunting booby--for love?"

A great and terrible bitterness that was like the hunger of a famishedanimal looked out of her eyes. Dinah gazed at her aghast. What new andhorrible revelation was this? She felt suddenly sick and giddy. 

Her mother shook her again roughly, savagely. "None of that!" she said. "Don't think I'll put up with it, my fine lady, for I won't! What haslove to do with such a chance as this? Tell me that, you little fool! Doyou suppose that either you or I have ever been in a position tomarry--for love?"

Her face was darkly passionate. Dinah felt as if she were in the clutchesof a tigress. "What--what do you mean?" she faltered through herquivering lips. 

"What do I mean?" Mrs. Bathurst broke into a sudden brutal laugh. "Ha!What do I mean?" she said. "I'll tell you, shall I? Yes, I'll tell you!I'll show you the shame that I've covered all these years. I mean that Imarried because of you--for no other reason. I married because I'd beenbetrayed--and left. Now do you understand why it isn't for you to pickand choose--you who have been the plague-spot of my life, the thorn in myside ever since you first stirred there--a perpetual reminder of what Iwould have given my very soul to forget? Do you understand, I say? Do youunderstand? Or must I put it plainer still? You--the child of myshame--to dare to set yourself up against me!"

She ended upon what was almost a note of loathing, and Dinah shudderedfrom head to foot. It was to her as if she had been rolled in pitch. Shefelt overwhelmed with the cruel degradation of it, the unspeakable shame. 

Mrs. Bathurst watched her anguished distress with a species of bittersatisfaction. "That'll take the fight out of you, my girl, " she said. "Orif it doesn't, I've another sort of remedy yet to try. Now, you start onthat letter, do you hear? It'll be a bit shaky, but none the worse forthat. Write and tell him you've changed your mind! Beg him humble-like totake you back!"

But Dinah only bowed her head upon her hands and sat crushed. 

Mrs. Bathurst gave her a few seconds to recover her balance. Then againmercilessly she shook her by the shoulder. 

"Come, Dinah! I'm not going to be defied. Are you going to write thatletter at once? Or must I take stronger measures?"

And then a species of wild courage entered into Dinah. She turned at lastat bay. "I will not write it! I would sooner die! If--if this thing istrue, it would be far easier to die! I couldn't marry any man now who hadany pride of birth. "

She was terribly white, but she faced her tormentor unflinching, her eyeslike stars. And it came to Mrs. Bathurst with unpleasant force that shehad taken a false step which it was impossible to retrace. It was thenthat the evil spirit that had been goading her entered in and took fullpossession. 

She gripped Dinah's shoulder till she winced with pain. "Mother, you--youare hurting me!"

"Yes, and I will hurt you, " she made answer. "I'll hurt you as I've neverhurt you yet if you dare to disobey me! I'll crush you to the earthbefore I will endure that from you. Now! For the last time! Will youwrite that letter? Think well before you refuse again!"

She towered over Dinah with awful determination, wrought up to a pitch offury by her resistance that almost bordered upon insanity. 

Dinah's boldness waned swiftly before the iron force that countered it. But her resolution remained unshaken, a resolution from which no power onearth could move her. 

"I can't do it--possibly, " she said. 

"You mean you won't?" said Mrs. Bathurst. 

Dinah nodded, and gripped the table hard to endure what should follow. 

"You--mean--you won't?" Mrs. Bathurst said again very slowly. 

"I will not. " The white lips spoke the words, and closed upon them. Dinahsat rigid with apprehension. 

Mrs. Bathurst took her hand from her shoulder and turned from her. Thecandle that had been burning all the evening was low in its socket. Shelifted it out and went to the fireplace. There were some shavings in thegrate. She pushed the lighted candle end in among them; then, as the fireroared up the chimney, she turned. 

An open trunk was close to her with the dainty pale green dress thatDinah had worn the previous evening lying on the top. She took it up, andbundled the soft folds together. Then violently she flung it on to theflames. 

Dinah gave a cry of dismay, and started to her feet. "Mother! What areyou doing? Mother! Are you mad?"

Mrs. Bathurst looked at her with eyes of blazing vindictiveness. "If youare not going to be married, you won't need a trousseau, " she saidgrimly. "These things are quite unfit for a girl in your station. ForLady Studley they would of course have been suitable, but not for such asyou. "

She turned back to the open trunk with the words, and began to sweeptogether every article of clothing it contained. Dinah watched her inhorror-stricken silence. She remembered with odd irrelevance how once inher childhood for some petty offence her mother had burnt a favouritedoll, and then had whipped her soundly for crying over her loss. 

She did not cry now. Her tears seemed frozen. She did not feel as if shecould ever cry again. The cold that enwrapped her was beginning to reachher heart. She thought she was getting past all feeling. 

So in mute despair she watched the sacrifice of all that Isabel's lovingcare had provided. So much thought had been spent upon the delicatefinery. They had discussed and settled each dainty garment together. Shehad revelled in the thought of all the good things which she was towear--she who had never worn anything that was beautiful before. Andnow--and now--they shrivelled in the roaring flame and dropped into greyash in the fender. 

It was over at last. Only the wedding-dress remained. But as Mrs. Bathurst laid merciless hands upon this also, Dinah uttered a bitter cry. 

"Oh, not that! Not that!"

Her mother paused. "Will you wear it to-morrow if Sir Eustace will haveyou?" she demanded. 

"No! Oh no!" Dinah tottered back against her bed and covered her eyes. 

She could not watch the destruction of that fairy thing. But it went soquickly, so quickly. When she looked up again, it had crumbled away likethe rest, and the shimmering veil with it. Nothing, nothing was left ofall the splendour that had been hers. 

She sank down on the foot of the bed. Surely her mother would besatisfied now! Surely her lust for vengeance could devise no furtherpunishment!

She was nearing the end of her strength, and she was beginning to knowit. The room swam before her dizzy sight. Her mother's figure loomedgigantic, scarcely human. 

She saw her poke down the last of the cinders and turn to the door. Therewas a pungent smell of smoke in the room. She wondered if she would everbe able to cross that swaying, seething floor to open the window. Sheclosed her eyes and listened with straining ears for the closing of thedoor. 

It came, and following it, a sharp click as of the turning of a key. Shelooked up at the sound, and saw her mother come back to her. She wascarrying something in one hand, something that dangled and east asnake-like shadow. 

She came to the cowering girl and caught her by the arm. "Now get up!"she ordered brutally. "And take the rest of your punishment!"

Truly Dinah drank the cup of bitterness to the dregs that night. Mentallyshe had suffered till she had almost ceased to feel. But physically herpowers of endurance had not been so sorely tried. But her nerves werestrung to a pitch when even a sudden movement made her tingle, and uponthis highly-tempered sensitiveness the punishment now inflicted upon herwas acute agony. It broke her even more completely than it had broken herin childhood. Before many seconds had passed the last shred of herself-control was gone. 

Guy Bathurst, lying comfortably in bed, was aroused from his firstslumber by a succession of sharp sounds like the lashing of a loosenedcreeper against the window, but each sound was followed by an anguishedcry that sank and rose again like the wailing of a hurt child. 

He turned his head and listened. "By Jove! That's too bad of Lydia, " hesaid. "I suppose she won't be satisfied till she's had her turn, but Ishall have to interfere if it goes on. "

It did not go on for long; quite suddenly the cries ceased. The othersounds continued for a few seconds more, then ceased also, and he turnedupon his pillow with a sigh of relief. 

A minute later he was roused again by the somewhat abrupt entrance of hiswife. She did not speak to him, but stood by the door and rummaged in thepockets of his shooting-coat that hung there. 

Bathurst endured in silence for a few moments; then, "Oh, what on earthare you looking for?" he said with sleepy irritation. "I wish you'd go. "

"I want your brandy flask, " she said, and her words came clipped andsharp. "Where is it?"

"On the dressing-table, " he said. "What have you been doing to thechild?"

"I've given her as much as she can stand, " his wife retorted grimly. "Butyou leave her to me! I'll manage her. "

She departed with a haste that seemed to denote a certain anxietynotwithstanding her words. 

She left the door ajar, and the man turned again on his pillow andlistened uneasily. He was afraid Lydia had gone too far. 

For a space he heard nothing. Then came the splashing of water, and againthat piteous, gasping cry. He caught the sound of his wife's voice, butwhat she said he could not hear. Then there were movements, and Dinahspoke in broken supplication that went into hysterical sobbing. Finallyhe heard his wife come out of the room and close the door behind her. 

She came back again with the brandy flask. "She's had a lesson, " sheobserved, "that I rather fancy she'll never forget as long as she lives. "

"Then I hope you're satisfied, " said Bathurst, and turned upon his side. 

Yes, Dinah had had a lesson. She had passed through a sevenfold furnacethat had melted the frozen fountain of her tears till it seemed thattheir flow would never be stayed again. She wept for hours, wept till shewas sick and blind with weeping, and still she wept on. And bitter shameand humiliation watched beside her all through that dreadful night, giving her no rest. 

For she had gone through this fiery torture, this cruel chastisement ofmind and body, all for what? For love of a man who felt nought butkindness for her, --for the dear memory of a golden vision that wouldnever be hers again. 

CHAPTER XX

THE COMING OF GREATHEART

It was soon after nine on the following morning that Scott presentedhimself on horseback at the gate of Dinah's home. It had been hisintention to tie up his animal and enter, but he was met in the entranceby Billy coming out on a bicycle, and the boy at once frustrated hisintention. 

"Good morning, sir! Pleased to see you, but it's no good your coming in. The pater's still in bed, and the mater's doing the house-work. "

"And Dinah?" said Scott. The question leapt from him almostinvoluntarily. He had not meant to display any eagerness, and he soughtto cover it by his next words which were uttered with his usual carefuldeliberation. "It's Dinah I have come to see. I have a message for herfrom my sister. "

Billy's freckled face crumpled into troubled lines. "Dinah has clearedout, " he said briefly. "I'm just off to the station to try and get newsof her. "

"What?" Scott said, startled. 

The boy looked at him, his green eyes shrewdly confiding. "There's beenthe devil of a row, " he said. "The mater is furious with her. She gaveher a fearful licking last night to judge by the sounds. Dinah wassquealing like a rat. Of course girls always do squeal when they're hurt, but I fancy the mater must have hit a bit harder than usual. And she'sburnt the whole of the trousseau too. Dinah was so mighty proud of allher fine things. She'd feel that, you know, pretty badly. "

"Damnation!" Scott said, and for the second time he spoke without his ownvolition. He looked at Billy with that intense hot light in his eyes thathad in it the whiteness of molten metal. "Do you mean that?" he said. "Do you actually mean that your mother flogged her--flogged Dinah?"

Billy nodded. "It's just her way, " he explained half-apologetically. "The mater is like that. She's rough and ready. She's always done it toDinah, had a sort of down on her for some reason. I guessed she meantbusiness last night when I saw the dog-whip had gone out of the hall. Iwished afterwards I'd thought to hide it, for it's rather a beastlyimplement. But the mater's a difficult woman to baulk. And when she's inthat mood, it's almost better to let her have her own way. She's sure toget it sooner or later, and a thing of that sort doesn't improve withkeeping. "

So spoke Billy with the philosophy of middle-aged youth, while the manbeside him sat with clenched hands and faced the hateful vision of Dinah, the fairy-footed and gay of heart, writhing under that horrible andhumiliating punishment. 

He spoke at length, and some electricity within him made the animal underhim fidget and prance, for he stirred neither hand nor foot. "And youtell me Dinah has run away?"

"Yes, cleared out, " said Billy tersely. "It was an idiotic thing to do, for the mater is downright savage this morning, and she'll only give heranother hiding for her pains. She stayed away all day once before, yearsago when she was a little kid, and, my eye, didn't she catch it when shecame back! She never did it again--till now. "

"And you are going to the station to look for her?" Scott's voice wasdead level. He calmed the restive horse with a firm hand. 

"Yes; just to find out if she's gone by train. I don't believe she has, you know. She's nowhere to go to. I expect she's hiding up in the woodssomewhere. I shall scour the country afterwards; for the longer she staysaway the worse it'll be for her. I'm sure of that, " said Billy uneasily. "When the mater lays hands on her again, she'll simply flay her. "

"She will not do anything of the sort, " said Scott, and turned hishorse's head with resolution. "Come along and find her first! I will dealwith your mother afterwards. "

Billy mounted his bicycle and accompanied him. Though he did not see howScott was to prevent any further vengeance on his mother's part, it was aconsiderable relief to feel that he had enlisted a champion on hissister's behalf. For he was genuinely troubled about her, although thecruel discipline to which she had been subjected all her life had soaccustomed him to seeing her in trouble that it affected him less than ifit had been a matter of less frequent occurrence. 

Scott's reception of his information had somewhat awed him. Like Dinah, he had long ceased to look upon this man as insignificant. He rode besidehim in respectful silence. 

The country lane they followed crossed the railway by a bridge ere it raninto the station road. There was a steep embankment on each side of theline surmounted by woods, and as they reached the bridge Billy dismountedto gaze searchingly into the trees. 

"She might be anywhere" he said. "This is a favourite place of hersbecause the wind-flowers grow here. Somehow I've got a sort offeeling--" He stopped short. "Why, there she is!" he exclaimed. 

Scott looked sharply in the same direction. Had he been alone, he wouldnot have perceived her, for she was crouched low against a thicket ofbrambles and stunted trees midway down the embankment. She was clad in anold brown mackintosh that so toned with her surroundings as to render heralmost invisible. Her chin was resting on her knees, and her face wasturned from them. She seemed to be gazing up the line. 

As they watched her, a signal near the bridge went down with a thud, andit seemed to Scott that the little huddled figure started and stiffenedlike a frightened doe. But she did not change her position, and shecontinued to gaze up the long stretch of line as though waiting forsomething. 

"What on earth is she doing?" whispered Billy. "There are no wind-flowersthere. "

Scott slipped quietly to the ground. "You wait here!" he said. "Hold myanimal, will you?"

He left the bridge, retracing his steps, and climbed a railing thatfenced the wood. In a moment he disappeared among the trees, and Billywas left to watch and listen in unaccountable suspense. 

The morning was dull, and a desolate wind moaned among the baretree-tops. He shivered a little. There was something uncanny in theatmosphere, something that was evil. He kept his eyes upon Dinah, but shewas a considerable distance away, and he could not see that she stirredso much as a finger. He wondered how long it would take Scott to reachher, and began to wish ardently that he had been allowed to go instead. The man was lame and he was sure that he could have covered the distancein half the time. 

And then while he waited and watched, suddenly there came a distantdrumming that told of an approaching train. 

"The Northern express!" he said aloud. 

Many a time had he stood on the bridge to see it flash and thunder belowhim. The sound of its approach had always filled him with a kind ofecstasy before, but now--to-day--it sent another feeling through him, --asudden, wild dart of unutterable dread. 

"What rot!" he told himself, with an angry shake. "Oh, what rot!"

But the dread remained coiled like a snake about his heart. 

The animal he held became restless, and he backed it off the bridge, buthe could not bring himself to go out of sight of that small, tragicfigure in the old mackintosh that sat so still, so still, there upon thegrassy slope. He watched it with a terrible fascination. Would Scottnever make his appearance?

A white tuft of smoke showed against the grey of the sky. The throbbingof the engine grew louder, grew insistent. A couple of seconds more andit was within sight, still far away but rapidly drawing near. Where onearth was Scott? Did he realize the danger? Ought he to shout? Butsomething seemed to grip his throat, holding him silent. He was powerlessto do anything but watch. 

Nearer came the train and nearer. Billy's eyes were starting out of hishead. He had never been so scared in all his life before. There wassomething fateful in the pose of that waiting figure. 

The rush of the oncoming express dinned in his ears. It was close now, and suddenly--suddenly as a darting bird--Dinah was on her feet. Billyfound his voice in a hoarse, croaking cry, but almost ere it left hislips he saw Scott leap into view and run down the bank. 

By what force of will he made his presence known Billy never afterwardscould conjecture. No sound could have been audible above the clamour ofthe train. Yet by some means--some electric battery of the mind--he madethe girl below aware of him. On the very verge of the precipice shestopped, stood poised for a moment, then turned herself back and sawhim.... 

The train thundered by, shaking the ground beneath their feet, and rushedunder the bridge. The whole embankment was blotted out in white smoke, and Billy reeled back against the horse he held. 

"By Jove!" he whispered shakily. "By--Jove! What a ghastly fright!"

He wiped his forehead with a trembling hand, and led the animal away fromthe bridge. Somehow he was feeling very sick--too sick to look anylonger, albeit the danger was past. 

The smoke cleared from the embankment, and two figures were left facingone another on the grassy slope. Neither of them spoke a word. It was asif they were waiting for some sign. Scott was panting, but Dinah did notseem to be breathing at all. She stood there tense and silent, terriblywhite, her eyes burning like stars. 

The last sound of the train died away in the distance, and then, such wastheir utter stillness, from the thorn-bush close to them a thrushsuddenly thrilled into song. The soft notes fell balmlike into that awfulsilence and turned it into sweetest music. 

Scott moved at last, and at once the bird ceased. It was as if an angelhad flown across the heaven with a silver flute of purest melody andpassed again into the unknown. 

He came to Dinah. "My dear, " he said, and his voice was slightly shaky, "you shouldn't be here. "

She stood before him, pillar-like, her two hands clenched against hersides. Her lips were quite livid. They moved soundlessly for severalseconds before she spoke. "I--was waiting--for the express. "

Her voice was flat and emotionless. It sounded almost as if she weretalking in her sleep. And strangely it was that that shocked Scott evenmore than her appearance. Dinah's voice had always held countlessinflections, little notes gay or sad like the trill of a robin. This wasthe voice of a woman in whom the very last spark of hope was quenched. 

It pierced him with an intolerable pain. "Dinah--Dinah!" he said. "ForGod's sake, child, you don't mean--that!"

Her white, pinched face twisted in a dreadful smile. "Why not?" she said. "There was no other way. " And then a sudden quiver as of returning lifewent through her. "Why did you stop me?" she said. "If you hadn't, itwould have been--all over by now. "

He put out a quick hand. "Don't say it, --in heaven's name! You are notyourself. Come--come into the wood, and we will talk!"

She did not take his hand. "Can't we talk here?" she said. 

He composed himself with an effort. "No, certainly not. Come into thewood!"

He spoke with quiet insistence. She gave him an inscrutable look. 

"You think you are going to help me, --Mr. Greatheart, " she said, "but Iam past help. Nothing you can do will make any difference to me now. "

"Come with me nevertheless!" he said. 

He laid a gentle hand upon her shoulder, and she winced with a sharpnessthat tore his heart. But in a moment she turned beside him and began theascent, slowly, labouringly, as if every step gave her pain. He movedbeside her, supporting her elbow when she faltered, steadily helping heron. 

They entered the wood, and the desolate sighing of the wind encompassedthem. Dinah looked at her companion with the first sign of feeling shehad shown. 

"I must sit down, " she said. 

"There is a fallen tree over there, " he said, and guided her towards it. 

She leaned upon him, very near to collapse. He spread his coat upon thetree and helped her down. 

"Now how long is it since you had anything to eat?" he said. 

She shook her head slightly. "I don't remember. But it doesn't matter. I'm not hungry. "

He took one of her icy hands and began to rub it. "Poor child!" he said. "You ought to be given some hot bread and milk and tucked up in bed withhot bottles. "

Her face began to work. "That, " she said, "is the last thing that willhappen to me. "

"Haven't you been to bed at all?" he questioned. 

Her throat was moving spasmodically; she bowed her head to hide her facefrom him. "Yes, " she said in a whisper. "My mother--my mother put methere. " And then as if the words burst from her against her will, "Shethrashed me first with a dog-whip; but dogs have got hair to protectthem, and I--had nothing. She only stopped because--I fainted. She hasn'tfinished with me now. When I go back--when I go back--" She broke off. "But I'm not going, " she said, and her voice was flat and hard again. "Even you can't make me do that. There'll be another express thisafternoon. "

Scott knelt down beside her, and took her bowed head on to his shoulder. "Listen to me, Dinah!" he said. "I am going to help you, and you mustn'ttry to prevent me. If you had only allowed me, I would have gone homeagain with you yesterday, and this might have been avoided. My dear, don't draw yourself away from me! Don't you know I am a friend you cantrust?"

The pitiful tenderness of his voice reached her, overwhelming her firstinstinctive effort to draw back. She leaned against him with painful, long-drawn sobs. 

He held her closely to him with all a woman's understanding. "Oh, don'tcry any more, child!" he said. "You're worn out with crying. "

"I feel--so bad--so bad!" sobbed Dinah. 

"Yes, yes. I know. Of course you do. But it's over, it's over. No oneshall hurt you any more. "

"You don't--understand, " breathed Dinah. "It never will be over--while Ilive. I'm hurt inside--inside. "

"I know, " he said again. "But it will get better presently. Isabel and Iare going to take you away from it all. "

"Oh no!" she said quickly. "No--no--no!" She lifted her head from hisshoulder and turned her poor, stained face upwards. "I couldn't do that!"she said. "I couldn't! I couldn't!"

"Wait!" he said gently. "Let me do what I can to help you now--before wetalk of that! Will you sit here quietly for a little, while I go and getyou some milk from that farm down the road?"

"I don't want it, " she said. 

"But I want you to have it, " he made grave reply. "You will stay here?Promise me!"

"Very well, " she assented miserably. 

He got up. "I shan't be gone long. Sit quite still till I come back!"

He touched her dark head comfortingly and turned away. 

When he had gone a little distance he looked back, and saw that she wascrouched upon the ground again and crying with bitter, straining sobsthat convulsed her as though they would rend her from head to foot. Withtightened lips he hastened on his way. 

She had suffered a cruel punishment it was evident, and she was utterlyworn out in body and spirit. But was it only the ordeal of yesterday andthe physical penalty that she had been made to pay that had broken herthus?

He could not tell, but his heart bled for her misery and desolation. 

"Who is the other fellow?" he asked himself. "I wonder if Billy knows. "

He found Billy awaiting him in the road, anxious and somewhatreproachful. "You've been such a deuce of a time, " he said. "Is she allright?"

"She is very upset, " he made answer. "And she is faint too for want offood. "

"That's not surprising, " commented Billy. "She can't have had anythingsince lunch yesterday. What shall I do? Run home and get something? Themater can't want her to starve. "

"No. " Scott's voice rang on a hard note. "She probably doesn't. But youneedn't go home for it. Run back to that farm we passed just now, and seeif you can get some hot milk! Be quick like a good chap! Here's themoney! I'll wait here. "

Billy seized his bicycle and departed on his errand. 

Scott began to walk his horse up and down, for inactivity was unbearable. Every moment he spent away from poor, broken Dinah was torturing. Thosedreadful, hopeless tears of hers filled him with foreboding. He yearnedto return. 

Billy's absence lasted for nearly a quarter of an hour, and he wasbeginning to get desperate over the delay when at last the boy returnedcarrying a can of milk and a mug. 

"I had rather a bother to get it, " he explained. "People are so mightydifficult to stir, and I didn't want to tell 'em too much. I've promisedto take these things back again. I say, can't I come along with you now?"

"I'd rather you didn't, " Scott said. "I can manage best alone. Besides, I'm going to ask you to do something more. "

"Anything!" said Billy readily. 

"Thanks. Well, will you ride this animal into Great Mallowes, hire aclosed car, and send it to the bridge here to pick me up? Then take himback to the Court, and if anyone asks any questions, say I've met afriend and I'm coming back on foot, but I may not be in to luncheon. Yes, that'll do, I think. I'll see about returning these things. Much obliged, Billy. Good-bye!"

Billy looked somewhat disappointed at this dismissal, but the prospect ofa ride was dear to his boyish heart, and in a moment he nodded cheerily. "All right, I'll do that. I'll hide my bicycle in the wood and fetch itafterwards. But where are you going to take her to?"

Scott smiled also faintly and enigmatically. "Leave that to me, my goodfellow! I shan't run away with her. "

"But I shall see her again some time?" urged Billy, as he dumped hislong-suffering machine over the railing and propped it out of sightbehind the hedge. 

"No doubt you will. " Scott's tone was kindly and reassuring. "But I thinkI can help her better just now than you can, so I'll be getting back toher. Good-bye, boy! And thanks again!"

"So long!" said Billy, vaulting back and thrusting his foot into thestirrup. "You might let me hear how you get on. "

"I will, " promised Scott. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE VALLEY OF HUMILIATION

When Scott reached the fallen tree again, Dinah's fit of weeping wasover. She was lying exhausted and barely conscious against his coat. 

She opened her eyes as he knelt down beside her. "You are--good, " shewhispered faintly. 

He poured out some milk and held it to her. "Try to drink some!" he saidgently. 

She put out a trembling hand. 

"No; let me!" he said. 

She submitted in silence, and he lifted the glass to her lips and held itvery steadily while slowly she drank. 

Her eyes were swollen and burning with the shedding of many scaldingtears. Now and then a sharp sob rose in her throat so that she could notswallow. 

"Take your time!" he said. "Don't hurry it!"

But ere she finished, the tears were running down her face again. He setdown the glass, and with his own handkerchief he wiped them away. Then hesat upon the low tree-trunk, and drew her to lean against him. 

"When you're feeling better, we'll have a talk, " he said. 

She hid her face with a piteous gesture against his knee. "I don'tsee--the good of talking, " she said, in muffled accents. "It can't makethings--any better. "

"I'm not so sure of that, " he said. "Anyhow we can't leave things as theyare. You will admit that. "

Dinah was silent. 

He went on with the utmost gentleness. "I want to get you away from here. Isabel is going down to Heath-on-Sea and she wants you to come too. It'sa tiny place. We have a cottage there with the most wonderful garden forflowers you ever saw. It isn't more than thirty yards square, and thereis a cliff path down to the beach. Isabel loves the place. The yacht isthere too, and we go for cruises on calm days. I am hoping Isabel maypick up a little there, and she is always more herself when you are withher. You won't disappoint her, will you?"

A great-shiver went through Dinah. "I can't come, " she said, almost underher breath. "It just--isn't possible. "

"What is there to prevent?" he asked. 

She moved a little, and lifted her head from its resting-place. "Ever somany things, " she said. 

"You are thinking of Eustace?" he questioned. "He has gone already--goneto town. He will probably go abroad; but in any case he will not get inyour way. "

"I wasn't thinking of him, " Dinah said. 

"Then of what?" he questioned. "Your mother? I will see her, and makethat all right. "

She started and lifted her face. "Oh no! Oh no! You must never dream ofdoing that!" she declared, with sudden fevered urgency. "I couldn't bearyou to see her. You mustn't think of it, indeed--indeed! Why I wouldeven--even sooner go back myself. "

"Then I must write to her, " he said, gently ceding the point. "It is notessential that I should see her. Possibly even, a letter would bepreferable. "

Dinah's face had flushed fiery red. She did not meet his eyes. "I don'tsee why you should have anything to do with her, " she said. "You wouldnever get her to consent. "

"Then I propose that we act first, " said Scott. "Isabel is leavingto-day. You can join her at Great Mallowes and go on together. I shallfollow in a couple of days. There are several matters to be attended tofirst. But Isabel and Biddy will take care of you. Come, my dear, youwon't dislike that so very badly!"

"Dislike it!" Dinah caught back another sob. "I should love it above allthings if it were possible. But it isn't--it isn't. "

"Why not?" he questioned. "Surely your father would not raise anyobjection?"

She shook her head. "No--no! He doesn't care what happens to me. I usedto think he did; but he doesn't--he doesn't. "

"Then what is the difficulty?" asked Scott. 

She was silent, and he saw the hot colour spreading over her neck as sheturned her face away. 

"Won't you tell me?" he urged gently. "Is there some particular reasonwhy you want to stay?"

"Oh no! I'm not going to stay. " Quickly she made answer. "I am nevergoing back. I couldn't after--after--" She broke off in quiveringdistress. 

"I think your mother will be sorry presently, " he said. "People withviolent tempers generally repent very deeply afterwards. "

Dinah turned upon him suddenly and hotly. "She will never repent!" shedeclared. "She hates me. She has always hated me. And I hate her--hateher--hate her!"

The concentrated passion of her made her vibrate from head to foot. Hereyes glittered like emeralds. She was possessed by such a fury of hatredas made her scarcely recognizable. 

Scott looked at her steadily for a moment or two. Then: "But it does youmore harm than good to say so, " he said. "And it doesn't answer myquestion, does it? Dinah, if you don't feel that you can do this thingfor your own sake, won't you do it for Isabel's? She is needing you badlyjust now. "

The vindictive look went out of Dinah's face. Her eyes softened, and hesaw the hopeless tears well up again. "But I couldn't help her any more, "she said. 

"The very fact of having you to care for would help her, " Scott said. 

Dinah shook her head. She was sitting on the ground with her handsclasped round her knees. As the tears splashed down again, she turned herface away. 

"It wouldn't help her, it wouldn't help anybody, to have me as I am now, "she said. "I can't tell you--I can't explain. But--I am not fit toassociate with anyone good. "

Scott leaned towards her. "Dinah, my dear, you are torturing yourself, "he said. "It's natural, I know. You have had no sleep, and you have criedyourself ill. But I am not going to give in to you. I am not going totake No for an answer. You have no plans for yourself, and I doubt if inyour present state you are capable of forming any. Isabel wants you, andit would be cruel to disappoint her. So you and I will join her at GreatMallowes this afternoon. I will deal with your people in the matter, butI do not anticipate any great difficulty in that direction. Now that issettled, and you need not weary yourself with any further discussion. Iam responsible, and I will bear my responsibility. "

His tone was kind but it held unmistakable finality. 

Dinah uttered a heavy sigh, and said no more. She lacked the strength forprolonged opposition. 

He persuaded her to drink some more of the milk, and made a cushion ofhis coat for her against the tree. 

"Perhaps you will get a little sleep, " he said, as she suffered herselfto relax somewhat. "Will it disturb you if I smoke?"

"No, " she said. 

He took out his case. "Shut your eyes!" he said practically. 

But Dinah's eyes remained open, watching him. He began to smoke as ifunaware of her scrutiny. 

After several moments she spoke. "Scott!"

He turned to her. "Yes? What is it?"

The piteous, shamed colour rose up under his eyes. Again she turned herface away. "That--that sapphire pendant!" she murmured. "I brought itwith me. Of course--I know--the presents will have to be returned. Ididn't mean to--to run away with it. But--but--I loved it so. I couldn'thave borne my mother to touch it. Shall I--shall I give it you now?"

"No, dear, " he answered firmly. "Neither now nor at any time. I gave itto you as a token of friendship, and I would like you to keep it alwaysfor that reason. "

"Always?" questioned Dinah. "Even if--if I never marry at all?"

"Certainly, " he said. 

"Because I never shall marry now, " she said, speaking with difficulty. "I--have quite given up that idea. "

"I should like you to keep it in any case, " Scott said. 

"You are very good, " she said earnestly. "I--I wonder you will haveanything to do with me now that you know how--how wicked I am. "

"I don't think you wicked, " he said. 

"Don't you?" She opened her heavy eyes a little. "You don't blame mefor--for--" She broke off shuddering, and as she did so, there came againthe rumble and roar of a distant train. "Then why did you stop me?" shewhispered tensely. 

Scott was silent for a moment or two. He was gazing straight before him. At length, "I stopped you, " he said, "because I had to. It doesn't matterwhy. You would have done the same in my place. But I don't blame you, partly because it is not my business, and partly because I know quitewell that you didn't realize what you were doing. "

"I did realize, " Dinah said. "If it weren't for you--because you are sogood--nothing would have stopped me. Even now--even now--" again the hottears came--"I've nothing to live for, and--and--God--doesn't--care. "She turned her face into her arm and wept silently. 

Scott made a sudden movement, and threw his cigarette away. Then swiftlyhe bent over her. 

"Dinah, " he said, "stop crying! You're making a big mistake. "

His tone was arresting, imperative. She looked up at him almost in spiteof herself. His eyes gazed straight into hers, and it seemed to her thatthere was something magnetic, something that was even unearthly, in theirclose regard. 

"You are making a mistake, " he repeated. "God always cares. He caredenough to send a friend to look after you. Do you want any stronger proofthan that?"

"I--don't--know, " Dinah said, awe-struck. 

"Think about it!" Scott insisted. "Do you seriously imagine that it wasjust chance that brought me along at that particular moment? Do you thinkit was chance that made you draw back yesterday from giving yourself to aman you don't love? Was it chance that sent you to Switzerland in thefirst place? Don't you know in your heart that God has been guiding youall through?"

"I don't know, " Dinah said again, but there was less of hopelessness inher voice. The shining certainty in Scott's eyes was warring with herdoubt. "But then, why has He let me suffer so?"

"Why did He suffer so Himself?" Scott said. "Except that He might learnobedience? It's a bitter lesson to all of us, Dinah; but it's got to belearnt. "

"You have learnt it!" she said, with a touch of her own impulsiveness. 

He smiled a little--smiled and sighed. "I wonder. I've learnt anyhow tobelieve in the goodness of God, and to know that though we can't see Himin all things, it's not because He isn't there. Even those who know Himbest can't realize Him always. "

"But still you are sure He is there?" Dinah questioned. 

"I am quite sure, " he said, with a conviction so absolute that it placedfurther questioning beyond the bounds of possibility. "Life is full ofproblems which it is out of any man's power to solve. But to anyone whowill take the trouble to see them the signs are unmistakable. There isnot a single soul that is left unaccounted for in the reckoning of God. He cares for all. "

There was no contradicting him; Dinah was too weary for discussion in anycase. But he had successfully checked her tears at last; he had even in ameasure managed to comfort her torn soul. She lay for a space ponderingthe matter. 

"I am afraid I am one of those who don't take the trouble, " she said atlength. "But I shall try to now. Thank you for all your goodness to me, Mr. Greatheart. " She smiled at him wanly. "I don't deserve it--not aquarter of it. But I'm grateful all the same. Please won't you have yoursmoke now, and forget me and my troubles?"

That smile cheered Scott more than any words. He recognized moreover thatthe delicate touch of reserve that characterized her speech was the firstevidence of returning self-control that she had manifested. 

He took out his cigarette-case again. "I hope you haven't found meover-presumptuous, " he said. 

Dinah reached up a trembling hand. "Presumptuous for helping me in theValley of Humiliation?" she said. 

He took the hand and held it firmly. "I am so used to it myself, " hesaid, in a low voice. "I ought to know a little about it. "

"Perhaps, " said Dinah thoughtfully, "that is what makes you great. "

He raised his shoulders slightly. "You have always seen me through amagnifying-glass, " he said whimsically. "Some day the fates will reversethat glass and then you will be unutterably shocked. "

Dinah smiled again and shook her head. "I know you, " she said. 

He lighted his cigarette, and then brought out a pocket-book. "I want towrite a note to Isabel, " he said. "You don't mind?"

"About me?" questioned Dinah. 

"About the arrangements I am making. She is motoring to Great Mallowes inany case to catch the afternoon express. "

"Oh!" said Dinah, and coloured vividly, painfully. 

Scott did not see. "I can get someone at the farm to take the message, "he said. "And when once you are with Isabel I shall feel easy about you. "

"And--and--my--mother?" faltered Dinah. 

"I shall write to her this afternoon while we are waiting for Isabel, "said Scott quietly. 

"What--shall you say?" whispered Dinah. 

"Do you mind leaving that entirely to me?" he said. 

"She will be--furious, " she murmured. "She might--out of revenge comeafter us. What then?"

"She will certainly not do that, " said Scott, "as she will not know youraddress. Besides, people do not remain furious, you know. They cool down, and then they are generally ashamed of themselves. Don't let us talkabout your mother!"

"The de Vignes then, " said Dinah, turning from the subject with relief. "Tell me what happened! Was the Colonel very angry?"

Scott's mouth twitched slightly. "Not in the least, " he said. 

"Not really!" Dinah looked incredulous for a moment; then: "Perhaps hethinks there is a fresh chance for Rose, " she said. 

"Perhaps he does, " agreed Scott dryly. "In any case, he is more disposedto smile than frown, and as Eustace wasn't there to see it, it didn'tgreatly matter. "

"Oh, poor Eustace!" she whispered. "It--was dreadful to hurt him so. "

"I think he will get over it, " Scott said. 

"He was much--kinder--than--than I deserved, " she murmured. 

Scott's faint smile reappeared. "Perhaps he found it difficult to beanything else, " he said. 

She shook her head. "I wonder--how I came to make--such a dreadfulmistake. "

"It wasn't your fault, " said Scott. 

She looked at him quickly. "What makes you say that?"

He met her look gravely. "Because I know just how it happened, " he said. "You were neither of you in earnest in the first place. I am afraid I hada hand in making Eustace propose to you. I was afraid--and so wasIsabel--you would be hurt by his trifling. "

"And you interfered?" breathed Dinah. 

He nodded. "Yes, I told him it must be one thing or the other. I wantedyou to be happy. But instead of helping you, I landed you in this mess. "

Something in his tone touched her. She laid a small shy hand upon hisknee. "It was--dear of you, Scott, " she said very earnestly. "Thankyou--ever so much--for what you did. "

He put his hand on hers. "My dear, I would have given all I had to haveundone it afterwards. It is very generous of you to take it like that. Ihave often wanted to kick myself since. "

"Then you must never want to again, " she said. "Do you know I'm so gladyou've told me? It was so--fine of you--to do that for me. I'm sure youcouldn't have wanted me for a sister-in-law even then. "

"I wanted you to be happy, " Scott reiterated. 

She uttered a quick sigh. "Happiness isn't everything, is it?"

"Not everything, no, " he said. 

She grasped his hand hard. "I'm going to try to be good instead, " shesaid. "Will you help me?"

He smiled at her somewhat sadly. "If you think my help worth having, " hesaid. 

"But of course it is, " she made warm answer. "You are the strong man whohelps everyone. You are--Greatheart. "

He looked at her still smiling and slowly shook his head. "Now, if youdon't mind, " he said, "I will write my note to Isabel. "

CHAPTER XXII

SPOKEN IN JEST

The afternoon was well advanced when Scott returned to Perrythorpe Court. No sounds of revelry greeted him as he entered. A blazing fire wasburning in the hall, but no one was there to enjoy the warmth. The gaycrowd that had clustered before the great hearth only yesterday had alldispersed. The place was empty. 

"Can I get you anything, sir?" enquired the man who admitted him. 

His voice was sepulchral. Scott smiled a little. "Yes, please. A whiskyand soda. Where is everybody?"

"The Colonel and Miss Rose went out riding, sir, after the guests had allgone, and they have not yet returned. Her ladyship is resting in herroom. "

"Everyone gone but me?" questioned Scott, with a whimsical lift of theeyebrows. 

The man bent his head decorously. "I believe so, sir. There was a generalfeeling that it would be more fitting as the marriage was not to takeplace as arranged. I understand, sir, that the family will shortlymigrate to town. "

"Really?" said Scott. 

He bent over the fire, for the evening was chilly, and he was tired tothe soul. The man coughed and withdrew. Again the silence fell. 

A face he knew began to look up at Scott out of the leapingflames--a face that was laughing and provocative one moment, wistfuland tear-stained the next. 

He heaved a sigh as he followed the fleeting vision. "Will she ever behappy again?" he asked himself. 

The last sight he had had of her had cut him to the heart. She hadconquered her tears at last, but her smile was the saddest thing he hadever seen. It was as though her vanished childhood had suddenly lookedforth at him and bidden him farewell. He felt that he would never seethe child Dinah again. 

The return of the servant with his drink brought him back to hisimmediate surroundings. He sat down in an easy-chair before the fire tomix it. 

The man turned to go, but he had not reached the end of the hall when thefront-door bell rang again. He went soft-footed to answer it. 

Scott glanced over his shoulder as the door opened, and heard his ownname. 

"Is Mr. Studley here?" a man's voice asked. 

"Yes, sir. Just here, sir, " came the answer, and Scott rose with a wearygesture. 

"Oh, here you are!" Airily Guy Bathurst advanced to meet him. "Don't letme interrupt your drink! I only want a few words with you. "

"I'll fetch another glass, sir" murmured the discreet man-servant, andvanished. 

Scott stood, stiff and uncompromising, by his chair. There was a hint ofhostility in his bearing. "What can I do for you?" he asked. 

Bathurst ignored his attitude with that ease of manner of which he was apast-master. "Well I thought perhaps you could give me news of Dinah" hesaid. "Billy tells me he left you with her this morning. "

"I see" said Scott. He looked at the other man with level, unblinkingeyes. "You are beginning to feel a little anxious about her?" hequestioned. 

"Well, I think it's about time she came home, " said Bathurst. He took outa cigarette and lighted it. "Her mother is wondering what has become ofher, " he added, between the puffs. 

"I posted a letter to Mrs. Bathurst about an hour ago, " said Scott. "Shewill get it in the morning. "

"Indeed!" Bathurst glanced at him. "And is her whereabouts to remain amystery until then?"

"That letter will reassure you as to her safety, " Scott returned quietly. "But it will not enlighten you as to her whereabouts. She is in goodhands, and it is not her intention to return home--at least for thepresent. Under the circumstances you could scarcely compel her to do so. "

"I never compel her to do anything, " said Bathurst comfortably. "Hermother keeps her in order, I have nothing to do with it. "

"Evidently not. " A sudden sharp quiver of scorn ran through Scott'swords. "Her mother may make her life a positive hell, but it's nobusiness of yours!"

A flicker of temper shone for a second in Bathurst's eyes. The scorn hadpenetrated even his thick skin. "None whatever, " he said deliberately. "Nor of yours either, so far as I can see. "

"There you are wrong. " Hotly Scott took him up. "It is the duty of everyman to prevent cruelty. Dinah has been treated like a bond-slave all herlife. What were you about to allow it?"

He flung the question fiercely. The man's careless repudiation of allresponsibility aroused in him a perfect storm of indignation. He wasprobably more angry at that moment than he had ever been before. 

Guy Bathurst stared at him for a second or two, his own resentmentquenched in amazement. Finally he laughed. 

"If you were married to my wife, you'd know, " he said. "Personally I likea quiet life. Besides, discipline is good for youngsters. I think Lydiais disposed to carry it rather far, I admit. But after all, a woman can'tdo much damage to her own daughter. And anyhow it isn't a man's businessto interfere. "

He broke off as the servant reappeared, and seated himself in a chair onthe other side of the fire. He drank some whisky and water in large, appreciative gulps, and resumed his cigarette. 

"If Dinah had seriously wanted to get away from it, she should havemarried your brother, " he said then. "It was her own doing entirely, thislast affair. A girl shouldn't jilt her lover at the last moment if sheisn't prepared to face the consequences. She knows her mother's temper bythis time, I should imagine. She might have guessed what was in store forher. " He looked across at Scott as one seeking sympathy. "You'll admit itwas a tomfool thing to do, " he said. "I don't wonder at her motherwanting to make her smart for it. I really don't. Dinah ought to haveknown her own mind. "

"She knows it now, " said Scott grimly. 

"Yes. So it appears. By the way, have you any idea what induced her tothrow your brother over in that way just at the last minute? It would beinteresting to know. "

"Did she give you no reason?" said Scott. He hated parleying with theman, but something impelled him thereto. 

Guy Bathurst leaning back at his ease with his cigarette between hislips, uttered a careless laugh. "She seemed to think she wasn't in lovewith him. We couldn't get any more out of her than that. As a matter offact her mother was too furious to attempt it. But there must have beensome other reason. I wondered if you knew what it was. "

"I shouldn't have thought it essential that there should have been anyother reason, " Scott said deliberately. "If there is--I am not in herconfidence. "

He was still on his feet as if he wished it to be clearly understood thathe did not intend their conversation to develop into anything of thenature of friendly intercourse. 

Bathurst continued to smoke, but a faint air of insolence was apparent inhis attitude. He was not accustomed to being treated with contempt, andthe desire awoke within him to find some means of disconcerting thisundersized whippersnapper who had almost succeeded in making him feelcheap. 

"You haven't been making love to her on your own account by any chance, Isuppose?" he enquired lazily. 

Scott's eyes flashed upon him a swift and hawk-like regard, and thehauteur that so often characterized his brother suddenly descended uponhim and clothed him as a mantle. 

"I have not, " he said. 

"Quite sure?" persisted Bathurst, still amiably smiling. "It's my beliefshe's smitten with you, you know. I've thought so all along. Funny idea, isn't it? Never occurred to you of course?"

Scott made no reply, but his silence was more scathing than speech. Itserved to arouse all the rancour of which Bathurst's indolent nature wascapable. 

"No accounting for women's preference, is there?" he said. "You ought tofeel vastly flattered, my good sir. It isn't many women would put youbefore that handsome brother of yours. How did you work it, eh? Come, you're caught! So you may as well own up. "

Scott shrugged his shoulders abruptly, disdainfully, and turned from him. "If you choose to amuse yourself at your daughter's expense, I cannotprevent you, " he said. "But there is not a grain of truth in yourinsinuation. I repudiate it absolutely. "

"My dear fellow, that's a bit thick, " laughed Bathurst; he had foundthe vulnerable spot, and he meant to make the most of it. "Do youactually expect me to believe that you won her away from your brotherwithout knowing it? That's rather a tough proposition, too tough for mymiddle-aged digestion. You've been trifling with her young affections, but you are not man enough to own it. "

"You are wrong, utterly wrong, " Scott said. He restrained himself withdifficulty; for still something was at work within him urging him to betemperate. "Dinah has never dreamed of falling in love with me. As yousay, the bare idea is manifestly absurd. "

"Then who is she in love with?" demanded Bathurst, with lazy insistence. "You're the only other man she knows, and there's certainly someone. Nogirl would throw up such a catch as your brother for the mere sentimentof the thing. It stands to reason there must be someone else. And thereis no one but you. She doesn't know anyone else, I tell you. She has noopportunities. Her mother sees to that. "

Scott was bending over the fire, his face to the flame. His indignationhad died down. He was very still, as one deep in thought. Could it be thetrue word spoken in ill-timed jest which he had just heard? He wondered;he wondered. 

A golden radiance was spreading forth to him from the heart of thoseleaping flames, like the coming of the dawnlight over the dark earth. Hewatched it spell-bound, utterly unmindful of the man behind him. If thisthing were true! Ah, if this thing were true!

A sudden sound made him turn to see Colonel de Vigne and his daughterenter. 

They came forward to greet him and Bathurst. Rose was smiling; her eyeswere softly bright. 

"How happy she looks!" was the thought that occurred to him, but it wasonly a passing thought. It vanished in a moment as he heard her accostBathurst. 

"How is our poor little Dinah by this time?"

"You had better ask this gentleman, " airily responded Bathurst. "He haselected to make himself responsible for her welfare. "

Rose's delicate brows went up, but very strangely Scott no longer felt inthe least disconcerted. He replied to her unspoken query withoutdifficulty. 

"Dinah felt that she could not face the gossips, " he said, "and as Isabelwas badly wanting her, they have gone away together. Except for oldBiddy, they will be quite alone, and it will do them both all the good inthe world. "

Rose's brow cleared. "What an excellent arrangement!" she murmuredsympathetically. "And--your brother?"

Scott smiled. "Needless to say, he is not of the party. His plans aresomewhat uncertain. He may go abroad for a time, but I doubt if hebanishes himself for long when the London season is in full swing. "

Rose's smile answered his. "I think he is very wise, " she said. "WhenEaster is over, we shall probably follow his example. I hope we shallhave the pleasure of meeting you when we are all in town. "

"Ha! So do I, " said the Colonel. "You must look me up at the Club--anytime. I shall be delighted. "

"You are very kind, " Scott said. "But I go to town very rarely, and Inever stay there. My brother is far more of a society man than I am. "

"You will have to come out of your shell, " smiled Rose. 

"Quite so--quite so, " agreed the Colonel. "It isn't fair to cheatsociety, you know. If we can't dance at your brother's wedding, you mightgive us the pleasure of dancing at yours. "

Bathurst uttered a careless laugh. "I've just been accusing him ofcutting his brother out, " he said lightly. "But he denies all knowledgeof the transaction. "

"Oh, but what a shame!" interposed Rose quickly. "Mr. Studley, we won'tlisten to this gossip. Will you come up to my sitting-room, and show methat new game of Patience you were talking about yesterday? Bring yourdrink with you!"

He went with her almost in silence. 

In her own room she turned upon him with a wonderful, illumined smile, and held out her hand. 

"I won't have you badgered, " she said. "But--it is true, is it not?"

He took her hand, looking straight into her beautiful eyes. There wasmore life in her face at that moment than he had ever seen before. Shewas as one suddenly awakened. "What is true, Miss de Vigne?" hequestioned. 

"That you care for her, " she answered, "that she cares for you. "

His look remained full upon her. "In a friendly sense, yes, " he said. 

"In no other sense?" she insisted. Her eyes were shining, as if her wholesoul were suddenly alight with animation. "Tell me, " she said, as he didnot speak immediately, "have you ever cared for her merely as a friend?"

There was no evading the question, neither for some reason could heresent it. He hesitated for a second or two; then, "You have guessedright, " he said quietly. "But she has never suspected it, and--she neverwill. "

To his surprise Rose frowned. "But why not tell her?" she said. "Surelyshe has a right to know!"

He smiled and shook his head. "Pardon me! No one has the smallest rightto know. Would you say that of yourself if you cared for someone who didnot care for you?"

She blushed under his eyes suddenly and very vividly, and in a momentturned from him. "Ah, but that is different!" she said. "A woman isdifferent! If she gives her heart where it is not wanted, that is heraffair alone. "

He did not pursue his advantage; he liked her for the blush. 

"Isn't it rather an unprofitable discussion?" he said gently. "Suppose weget to our game of Patience!"

And Rose acquiesced in silence. 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE KNIGHT IN DISGUISE

A long, curling wave ran up the shingle and broke in a snow-white sheetof foam just below Dinah's feet. She was perched on a higher ridge ofshingle, bareheaded, full in the glare of the mid-June sunlight. Herbrown hands were locked tightly around her knees. Her small, pointed facelooked wistfully over the sea. 

She had been sitting in that position for a long time, her green eyesunblinking but swimming in the heat and glare. The dark ringlets on herforehead danced in the soft breeze that came over the water. There wastension in her attitude, the tension of deep and concentrated thought. 

Into the midst of her meditations, there came a slow, halting step. Itfell on the shingle behind her, reaching her above the roar of thebreakers, and instantly a flood of colour rushed up over her face andneck. 

Sharply she turned. "Scott!"

She was on her feet in a second with hand outstretched in welcome. 

"Oh, how you startled me! How good of you to come so soon! I--shouldn'thave left the house if I had known. "

"I came at once, " he said simply. "But I have only just got here. I sawyou sitting on the shore and came straight to you. What news?"

His quiet, deliberate voice was in striking contrast to her agitatedutterance. The hand that held hers was absolutely steady. 

She met his look with confidence. "Scott, she is going. You knewit--didn't you?--when you were here last Sunday? She knew it too. Shedidn't want you to go really. And so--directly I realized she wasworse--I sent for you. But--they say--even now she may linger for alittle. But you'll stay, won't you? You won't go again?"

His grave eyes looked into hers. "Of course I will stay, " he said. 

She drew a quick sigh of relief. "She scarcely slept last night. Herbreathing was so bad. It was very hot, you know. The nurse or I werefanning her nearly all the time, till the morning breeze came at last. And then she got quieter. She is asleep now. They say she will sleepfor hours. And so I slipped out just for a little, so as to be quitefresh again when she wakes. "

"Don't you sleep at all?" Scott asked gently. 

The colour was fading from her face; it returned at his question. "Ohyes, any time. It doesn't matter for me. I am so strong. And I cansleep--afterwards. "

He looked down at the thin little hand he still held. "You mustn't wearyourself out, Dinah, " he said. 

Her lip quivered suddenly, "What does it matter?" she said. "I've nothingelse to live for. "

"I don't think we can any of us say that, " he answered. "There is alwayssomething left. "

She turned her face and looked over the sea. "I'm sure I don't knowwhat, " she said, with a catch in her voice. "If--Isabel--were going tolive, if--if I could only have her always, I should be quite happy. Ishouldn't want anything else. But without her--life without her--afterthese two months, --" her voice broke and ceased. 

"I know, " Scott said. "I should have felt the same myself not so longago. I have let you slip into my place, you see; and it comes hard on younow. But don't forget our friendship, Dinah! Don't forget I'm here!"

She turned back, swallowing her tears with difficulty and gave him aquivering smile. "Oh, I know. You are so good. And it was dear of youto--to let me take your place with her. None but you would have done sucha thing. "

"My dear, it was far better for her, and she wished it, " he interposed. "Besides, with Eustace away, I had plenty to do. You mustn't twist thatinto a virtue. It was the only course open to me. I knew that it wouldlift her out of misery to have you, and--naturally--I wished it too. "

She nodded. "It was just like you. And I--I ought to have remembered thatit couldn't last. It has been such a comfort to--to have my darling tolove and care for. But oh, the blank when she is gone!"

Scott was silent. 

"It's wrong to want to keep her, I know, " Dinah went on wistfully. "Shehas got so wonderfully happy of late; and I know it is the thought ofnearing the end of the journey that makes her so. And when I am with her, I feel happy too for her sake. But when I am away from her--it--it'sall so dreary. I--feel so frightened and--alone. "

"Don't be frightened!" Scott said gently. "You never are alone. "

"Ah, but life is so difficult, " she whispered. 

"It would be, " he answered, "if we had to face it all at once. But, thankGod, that is not so. We can only see a little way ahead. We can only do alittle at a time. "

"Do you think that is a help?" she said. "I would giveanything--sometimes--to look into the future. "

"I think the burden would be greater than we could bear, " Scott said. 

"Oh, do you? I think it would be such a relief to know. " Dinah uttered asharp sigh. "It's no good talking, " she said. "Only one thing is certain. I'm not going to break with Billy of course, but I'll never go back toPerrythorpe again, never as long as I live!"

There was a quiver of passion in her voice. She looked at Scott with whatwas almost a challenge in her eyes. 

He did not answer it. His face wore a look of perplexity. But, "If I werein your place, " he said quietly, "I think I should say the same. "

"I am sure you would, " she said warmly. "I only tolerated it so longbecause I didn't know what freedom was like. When I went to Switzerland, I found out; and when I came back, it just wasn't endurable any longer. But I wish I knew--I do wish I knew--what I were going to do. "

The words were out before she could stop them, but the moment they wereuttered she made a sharp gesture as though she would recall them. 

"I'm silly to talk like this, " she said. "Please forget it!"

He smiled a little. "Not silly, Dinah, " he said, "but mistaken. Believeme, the future is already provided for. "

Her brows contracted slightly. "Ah, you are good, " she said. "You believein God. "

"So do you, " he said, with quiet conviction. 

Her lip quivered. "I believe He would help anyone like you, but--but Hewouldn't bother Himself about me. There are too many others of the samesort. "

Scott looked at her in genuine astonishment. "What a curious idea!" hesaid. "You don't really think that, do you?"

She nodded. "I can't help it. Life is such a maze of difficulties, andone has to face them all alone. "

"You won't face yours alone, " he said quickly. 

She smiled rather piteously. "I've faced all the worst bits alone sofar. "

"I know, " Scott said. "But you are through the worst now. "

She shook her head doubtfully. "I'm afraid of life, " she said. 

He saw that she did not wish to pursue the subject and put it gentlyaside. "Shall we go in?" he said. "I should like to be at hand whenIsabel wakes. "

She turned beside him at once. Their talk went back to Isabel. They spokeof her tenderly, as one nearing the end of a long and wearisome journey, and as they approached the little white house on the heath above the sea, Dinah gave somewhat hesitating utterance to a thought that had beenpersistently in her mind of late. 

"Do you, " she said, speaking with evident effort, "think that--Eustaceshould be sent for?"

"Does she want him?" said Scott. 

"I don't know. She never speaks of him. But then--that may be--for mysake. " Dinah's voice was very low and not wholly free from distress. "Andagain--it may be on my account he is keeping away. She hasn't seen himfor these two months--not since we left Perrythorpe. "

"No, " Scott said gravely. "I know. "

Dinah was silent for a brief space; then she braced herself for anothereffort. "Scott, I--don't want to be--in anyone's way. If--if she wouldlike to see him, and if he--doesn't want to come--because of me, I--mustgo, that's all. "

She spoke with resolution, and pausing at the gate that led off the heathinto the garden looked him straight in the face. 

"I want you, " she said rather breathlessly, "to find out if--that is so. And if it is--if it is--"

"My dear, you needn't be afraid, " Scott said. "I am quite sure thatEustace wouldn't wish to drive you away. He might be doubtful as towhether you would care to meet him again so soon, but if you had noobjection to his coming, he wouldn't deliberately stay away on his ownaccount. You know--I don't think you've ever realized it--he lovesIsabel. "

"Then he must want to come, " she said quickly. "Oh, Scott, do you know--Isaid a dreadful--a cruel--thing to him--that last day. If he really lovesher, it must have hurt him--terribly. "

"What did you say?" Scott asked. 

"I said--" the quick tears sprang to her eyes--"I said that he was unkindto her, and that--that she was always miserable when he was there. Scott, what made me say it? It was hateful of me! It was hateful!"

"It was the truth, " Scott said. He looked at her thoughtfully for a fewseconds, then very kindly he patted her hand as it rested on the gate. "Don't be so distressed!" he said. "It probably did him good--even if itdid hurt. But I think you are right. If Isabel has the smallest wish tosee him, he must come. I will see what I can do. "

Dinah gave him a difficult smile. "You always put things right, " shesaid. 

He lifted his shoulders with a whimsical expression. "Themagnifying-glass again!" he said. 

"No, " she protested. "No. I see you as you are. "

"Then you see a very ordinary citizen, " he said. 

But Dinah shook her head. "A knight in disguise, " she said. 

CHAPTER XXIV

THE MOUNTAIN SIDE

When Isabel opened her eyes after a slumber that had lasted for thegreater part of the day, it was to find Scott seated beside her quietlywatching her. 

She reached a feeble hand to him with a smile of welcome. "Dear Stumpy, when did you come?"

"An hour or two ago, " he said, and put the weak hand to his lips. "Youhave had a good sleep, dear?"

"Yes, " she said. "Yes. It has done me good. " She lay looking at him witha smile still in her eyes. "I hope little Dinah is resting, " she said. "She was with me nearly all night. I didn't wish it, Stumpy, but the dearchild wouldn't leave till I was more comfortable. "

"She is resting for a little now, " he said. "I am so sorry you had a badtime last night. "

"Oh, don't be sorry for me!" she said softly. "My bad times are so nearlyover now. It is a waste of time to talk about them. She sent for you, didshe?"

He bent his head. "She knew I would wish to be sent for. She fancied youmight be wanting me. "

"I do want you, " she said, and into her wasted face there came a look ofunutterable tenderness. "Oh, Stumpy darling, need you leave me again?"

He was still holding her hand; his fingers closed upon it at her words. 

"I think the last part may be--a little steep, " she said wistfully. "Iwould like to feel that you are near at hand. You have helped me sooften--so often. And then too--there is--my little Dinah. I want you tohelp her too. "

"God knows I will do my best, dear, " he said. 

Her fingers returned his pressure. "She has been so much to me--so muchto me, " she whispered. "When I came here, I had no hope. But the care ofher, the comforting of her, opened the dungeon-door for me. And now noGiant Despair will ever hold me captive again. But I am anxious abouther, Stumpy. There is some trouble in the background of which she hasnever spoken--of which she can never bear to speak. Have you any ideawhat it is?"

He moved with an unwonted touch of restlessness. "I think she worriesabout the future, " he said. 

"That isn't all, " Isabel said with conviction. "There is more than that. It hangs over her like a cloud. It weighs her down. "

"She hasn't confided in me, " he said. 

"Ah! But perhaps she will, " Isabel's eyes still dwelt upon him with agreat tenderness. "Stumpy, " she murmured under her breath, "forgive mefor asking! I must ask! Stumpy, why don't you win her for yourself, dear?The way is open. I know--I know you can. "

He moved again, moved with a gesture of protest. "You are mistaken, Isabel, " he said. "The way is not open. " He spoke wearily. He was lookingstraight before him. "If I were to attempt what you suggest, " he saidslowly, "I should deprive her of the only friend to whom she can turnwith any confidence besides yourself. She trusts me now implicitly. Shebelieves my friendship for her to be absolutely simple and disinterested. And I would rather die than fail her. "

"Then you think she doesn't care?" Isabel said. 

Scott turned his eyes upon her. "Personally, I came to that conclusionlong ago, " he said. "No woman could ever hang a serious romance aroundme, Isabel. I am not the right sort. If Dinah imagined for a moment thatI were capable of making love in the ordinary way, our friendship wouldgo to the bottom forthwith. No, my dear; put the thought out of yourmind! The Stumpys of this world must be resigned to go unpaired. Theymust content themselves with the outer husk. It's that or nothing. "

Isabel's smile was full of tenderness. "You talk as one who knows, " shesaid. "But I wonder if you do. "

"Oh yes, " Scott said. "I've learned my lesson. I've been given anordinary soul in an extraordinary body, and I've got to make the best ofit. You can't ignore the body, you know, Isabel. It plays a mighty bigpart in this mortal life. The idea of any woman falling in love with mein my present human tenement is ridiculous, and I have put it out of mymind for good. "

Isabel's eyes were shining. She clasped his hand closer. "I think you arequite wrong, Stumpy dear, " she said. "If your soul matched your body, then there might be something in your argument. But it doesn't. And--ifyou don't mind my saying so--your soul is far the most extraordinarypart of your personality. Little Dinah found out long ago that youwere--greathearted. "

Scott smiled a little. "Oh yes, I know she views me through amagnifying-glass and reveres me accordingly. Hence our friendship. But, my dear, that isn't being in love. I believe that somewhere there is ashadowy person whom she cherishes in the very inner secrecy of her heart. Who he is or what he is, I don't know. He is probably something verydifferent from the dream-being she worships. We all are. But I feel thathe is there. Probably I have never met the actual man. I have only seenhis shadow and that by inadvertence. I once penetrated the secret chamberfor one moment only, and then I was driven forth and the door securelylocked. I am not good at trespassing, you know, for all my greatness. Ihave never been near the secret chamber since. "

"Do you mean that she admitted to you that--she cared for someone?"Isabel asked. 

Scott's pale eyes had a quizzical look. "I had the consideration to backout before she had time to do anything so unmaidenly, " he said. "Possiblythe shadowman may never materialize. In fact it seems more than possible. In which case the least said is soonest mended. "

"That may be what is troubling her, " Isabel said thoughtfully. 

She lay still for a while, and Scott leaned back in his chair and watchedthe little pleasure-boats that skimmed the waters of the bay. The merrycries of bathers came up to the quiet room. The world was full to thebrim of gaiety and sunshine on that hot June day. 

"Stumpy, " gently his sister's voice recalled him, "do you never mean tomarry, dear? I wish you would. You will be so lonely. "

He lifted his shoulders. "What can I say Isabel? If the right woman comesalong and proposes, I will marry her with pleasure. I would never dare topropose on my own, --being what I am. "

"Being a very perfect knight whom any woman might be proud to marry, "Isabel said. "That is only a pose of yours, Stumpy, and it doesn't becomeyou. I wonder--how I wonder!--if you are right about Dinah. "

"Yes, I am right, " he said with conviction. "But Isabel, you willremember--it was spoken in confidence. "

She gave a sharp sigh. "I shall remember dear, " she said. 

Again a brief silence fell between them; but Scott's eye no longer soughtthe sparkling water. They dwelt upon his sister's face. Pale asalabaster, clear-cut as though carven with a chisel, it rested upon thewhite pillow, and the stamp of a great peace lay upon the calm foreheadand in the quiet of the deeply-sunken eyes. There were lines of sufferingthat yet lingered about the mouth, lines of weariness and of sorrow, butthe old piteous look of craving had faded quite away. The bitter despairthat had so haunted Dinah had passed into the stillness of a greatpatience. There was about her at that time the sacred hush that fallsbefore the dawn. 

After a little she became aware of his quiet regard, and turned her headwith a smile. "Well, Stumpy? What is it?"

"I was just wondering what had happened to you, " he made answer. 

Her smile deepened. "I will tell you, dear, " she said. "I have comewithin sight of the mountain-top at last. "

"And you are satisfied?" he said, in a low voice. 

Her eyes shone with a soft brightness that seemed to illumine her wholeface. "Satisfied that my beloved is waiting for me and that I shall meethim in the dawning?" she said. "Oh yes, I have known that in my heart fora long time. It troubled me terribly when I lost his letters. They hadbeen such a link, and for a while I was in outer darkness. And then--bydegrees, after little Dinah came back to me--I began to find that afterall there were other links. Helping her in her trouble helped me to bearmy own. And I came to see that ministering to a need outside one's own isthe surest means of finding comfort in sorrow for oneself. I have beenvery selfish Stumpy. I have been gradually waking to that fact for a longwhile. I used to immerse myself in those letters to try and get thefeeling of his dear presence. Very, very often I didn't succeed. And Iknow now that it was because I was forcing myself to look back and notforward. I think material things are apt to make one do that. But whenmaterial things are taken quite away, then one is forced upon thespiritual. And that is what has happened to me. No one can take anythingfrom me now because what I possess is laid up in store for me. I ammoving forward towards it every day. "

She ceased to speak, and again for the space of seconds the silence fell. 

Scott broke it, speaking slowly, as if not wholly certain of the wisdomof speech. "I did not know, " he said, "that you had lost those letters. "

Her face contracted momentarily with the memory of a past pain. "Eustacedestroyed them, " she stated simply. 

His brows drew sharply together. "Isabel! Do you mean that?"

She pressed his hand. "Yes, dear. I knew you would feel it badly so Ididn't tell you before. He acted for the best. I see that quite clearlynow. And--in a sense--the best has come of it. "

Scott got to his feet with the gesture of a man who can barely restrainhimself. "He did--that?" he said. 

She reached up a soothing hand. "My dear, it doesn't matter now. Don't beangry with him. I know that he meant well. "

Scott's eyes looked down into hers, intensely bright, burningly alive. "No wonder, " he said, breathing deeply, "that you never want to see himagain!"

"No, Stumpy; that is not so. " Gently she made answer; her hand held hisalmost pleadingly. "For a long time I felt like that, it is true. But nowit is all over. There is no bitterness left in my heart at all. We havegrown away from each other, he and I. But we were very close friendsonce, and because of that I would give much--oh, very much--to be friendswith him again. It was in a very great measure my selfishness that camebetween us, my pride too. I had influence with him, Stumpy, and I didn'ttry to use it. I simply threw him off because he disapproved of myhusband. I might have won him, I feel that I could have won him if I hadtried. But I wouldn't. And afterwards, when my mind was clouded, myinfluence was all gone. I wish I could get it back again. I feel as if Imight. But he is keeping away now because of Dinah. And I am afraid toothat he feels I do not want him--" her eyes were suddenly dim with tears. "That is not so, Stumpy. I do want him. Sometimes--in the night--I longfor him. But, for little Dinah's sake--"

She paused, for Scott had suddenly turned and was pacing the roomrapidly, unevenly, as if inaction had become unendurable. 

She lay and watched him while the great tears gathered and ran down herwasted face. 

He came back to her at length and saw them. He stood a moment lookingdownwards, then knelt beside her and very tenderly wiped them away. 

"My dear, " he said softly, "you mustn't ever cry again. It breaks myheart to see you. If you want Eustace, he shall come to you. Dinah wasspeaking to me about it only a short time ago. She will not stand in theway of his coming. In fact, I gathered that if you wish it, she wishes italso. "

"That is so like little Dinah, " whispered Isabel. "But, Stumpy, do youthink we ought to let her face that?"

"I shall be here, " he said. 

"Oh, yes, dear. You will be here. " She regarded him wistfully. "Stumpy, don't'--don't let yourself get bitter against Eustace!" she pleaded. "Youhave always been so splendid, so forbearing, till now. "

Scott's lips were stern. "Some things are hard to forgive, Isabel, " hesaid. 

"But if I forgive--" she said. 

His face changed; he bowed his head suddenly down upon her pillow. "Nothing will give you back to me--when you are gone, " he whispered. 

Her hand was on his head in a moment. "Oh, my dear, are you grievingbecause of that? And I have been such a burden to you!"

"A burden beloved, " he said, speaking with difficulty. "And you weregetting better. You were better. He--threw you back again. He broughtyou--to this. "

Her fingers pressed his forehead. "Not entirely, Stumpy. Be generous, dear! It may have hastened matters a little--only a very little. And evenso, what of it, if the journey has been shortened? Perhaps the way hasbeen a little steeper, but it has brought me more quickly to my goal. Stumpy, Stumpy, if it weren't for leaving you, I would go as gladly--asgladly--as a happy bride--to her wedding. "

She broke off, breathing fast. 

He lifted his head swiftly, and saw the shadow of mortal pain gatheringin her eyes. He commanded himself on the instant and rose. Self-containedand steady, he found and administered the remedy that was always kept athand. 

Then, as the spasm passed, he stooped and quietly kissed the whiteforehead. "Don't trouble about me, dear!" he said. "God knows I would notkeep you from your rest. "

And with that calmly he turned and left her. 

But Biddy, whom he sought a few moments later to send her to hermistress, saw in him notwithstanding his composure, an intensity ofsuffering that struck dismay to her honest heart. "The Lord preserve us!"she said. "But Master Scott has the look of a man with a sword in hissoul!" She wiped her own tears away with a trembling hand. "And what'llhe do at all when Miss Isabel's gone, " she said, "unless Miss Dinah doesthe comforting of him?"

CHAPTER XXV

THE TRUSTY FRIEND

The trains from the junction to Heath-on-Sea were few and invariablylate. Scott had been pacing the platform for half an hour on the eveningof the day that followed his own arrival ere a line of distant smoke toldof the coming of the train he was awaiting. 

His movements were slow and weary, but there was about him the strainedlook of a man who cannot rest. There was no gladness of welcome in hiseyes as the train drew near. It was rather as if he braced himself for acoming ordeal. 

He searched the carriages intently as they ran past him, and a flicker ofrecognition came into his face at the sight of a tall figure leaning fromone of them. He lifted a hand in salutation, and limped along theplatform to meet the newcomer. 

Sir Eustace was out of the train before anyone else. He met his brotherwith the impetuosity of one who cannot stop for greeting. 

"Ah, Stumpy! I'm not too late?"

There was strain upon his face also as he flung the question, and in aninstant Scott's look had changed. He grasped the outflung hand. 

"No, no, old fellow! It's all right. She is looking forward to seeingyou. "

Sir Eustace drew a sharp breath. His dark face relaxed a little. "I'vehad a hell of a time, " he said. 

"My dear chap, I'm sorry, " impulsively Scott made answer. "I'd have metyou at the junction, only it was difficult to get away for so long. Doyou mind walking up? They'll see to fetching your traps along presently. "

"Oh, all right. Yes, let us walk by all means!" Eustace expanded hischest, and breathed again, deeply. He put his hand on Scott's shoulder asthey passed through the barrier. "What's the matter with you, my lad?" hesaid. 

Scott glanced up at him--a swift, surprised glance. "With me? Nothing. Iam--as usual. "

Eustace's hawk-eyes scanned him closely. "I've never seen you lookworse, " he said. 

Scott raised his shoulder slightly under his hand, and said nothing. Thefirst involuntary kindliness of greeting passed wholly away, as if it hadnot been. 

Eustace linked the hand in his arm as they walked. "Tell me about her!"he said. 

"About Isabel?" Scott spoke with very obvious constraint. "There isn'tmuch to tell. She is just--going. These breathless attacks come veryfrequently, and she is weaker after each one. The doctor says it wouldnot be surprising if she went in her sleep, or in fact at any time. "

"And she asked for me?" The question fell curtly; Eustace was lookingstraight ahead up the white, dusty road as he uttered it. 

"Yes; she wanted you. " Equally curtly came Scott's reply. He ignored thehand on his arm, limping forward at his own pace and leaving his brotherto accommodate himself to it as best he could. 

Sir Eustace sauntered beside him in silence for a space. They wereapproaching the heath-clad common that gave the place its name, when hespoke again. 

"And Dinah?" he said then. 

Again Scott glanced upwards, his pale eyes very resolute. "Yes, Dinah isstill here. Her people seem quite indifferent as to what becomes of her, and Isabel wishes to keep her with her. I hope--" he hesitatedmomentarily--"I hope you will bear in mind the extreme difficulty of hersituation. "

Sir Eustace passed over the low words. "And what is going to happen toher--afterwards?" he said. 

"Heaven knows!" Scott spoke as one compelled. 

Sir Eustace continued to gaze straight before him. "Haven't you thoughtof any solution to the difficulty?" he asked. 

"What do you mean?" Scott's voice rang suddenly stern. 

A faint smile touched his brother's face; it was like the shadow of hisold, supercilious sneer. "It occurred to me that you, being a chivalrousknight, might be moved to offer her your protection, " he explainedcoolly. "You are quite at liberty to do so, so far as I am concerned. Igive you my free consent. "

Scott started, as if he had been stung. "Man, don't sneer at me!" he saidin a voice that quivered. "I've a good many things against you, and I'mdamned if I can stand any more!"

There was desperation in his words. Sir Eustace's brows went up, and hissmile departed. But there came no answering anger in his eyes. 

He was silent for several moments, pacing forward, his hand no longerlinked in Scott's arm. Then at last very quietly he spoke. "You're right. You have a good many things against me. But this is not one of them. Iwas not sneering at you. "

There was a note of most unwonted sincerity in his voice that gaveconviction to his words. Scott turned and regarded him in open amazement. 

The steel-blue eyes met his with an odd, half-shamed expression. "Youmustn't bully me, you know, Stumpy!" he said. "Remember, I can't hitback. "

Scott stood still. He had never in his life been more astounded. Eventhen, with the direct evidence before him, he could hardly believe thatthe old haughty dominance had given place to something different. 

"Why--can't you--hit back?" he said, almost stammering in hisuncertainty. 

Sir Eustace smiled again with rueful irony. "Because I've nothing to hitwith, my son. Because you can break through my defence every time. If Iwere to kick you from here to the sea, you'd still have the best of me. Haven't you realized that yet?"

"I hadn't--no!" Scott's eyes still regarded him with a puzzled, half-suspicious expression. 

Sir Eustace turned from their scrutiny, and began to walk on. "You willpresently, " he said. "The man who masters himself is always the man tomaster the rest of the world in the end. I never thought I should live toenvy you, my boy. But I do. "

"Envy me! Why? Why on earth?" Embarrassment mingled with the curiosity inScott's voice. His hostility had gone down utterly before theunaccustomed humility of his brother's attitude. 

Sir Eustace glanced at him sideways. "I'll tell you another time, " hesaid. "Now look here, Stumpy! You're in command, and I shan't interferewith you so long as you take reasonable care of yourself. But you must dothat. It is the one thing I am going to insist upon. That's understood, is it?"

Scott smiled, his tired, gentle smile. "Oh, certainly, my dear chap. Don't you worry yourself about that! It isn't of the first importance inany case. "

"It's got to be done, " Sir Eustace insisted. "So keep it in mind!"

"I haven't been doing anything, you know, " Scott protested mildly. "Ionly came down yesterday. "

"That may be. But you haven't been sleeping for some time. You needn'ttrouble to deny it. I know the signs. What have you been doing atWillowmount?"

It was a welcome change of subject, and Scott was not slow to availhimself of it. They began to talk upon matters connected with the estate, and the personal element passed completely out of the conversation. 

When they reached the white house on the cliff they almost seemed to haveslipped into the old casual relations; but the younger brother was wellaware that this was not so. The change that had so amazed him wasapparent to him at every turn. The overbearing mastery to which he hadbeen accustomed all his life had turned in some miraculous fashion intosomething that was oddly like deference. It was fully evident thatEustace meant to keep his word and leave him in command. 

Dinah met them in the rose-twined portico. There was a deep flush in hercheeks; her eyes were very bright, resolutely unafraid. She shook handswith Eustace, and he alone was aware of the tremor that ran through herwhole being as she did so. 

"Isabel is asleep, " she said. "She often gets a sleep in the afternoon, and she is always the stronger for it when she wakes. Will you have sometea before you go to her?"

They had tea in the sunny verandah overlooking the sea. Sir Eustace wasvery quiet and grave, and it was Scott who gently conversed with thegirl, smoothing away all difficulties. She was plainly determined toconquer her nervousness, and she succeeded to a great extent before theordeal was over. But there was obvious relief in her eyes when SirEustace set down his cup and rose to go. 

"I think I will go to her now, " he said. "I shall not wake her. "

He went, and a great stillness fell behind him. Scott dropped intosilence, and they sat together, he smoking, she leaning back in her chairidle, with wistful eyes upon the silvery sea. 

Up in Isabel's room overhead there was neither sound nor movement, butpresently there fell a soft footfall upon the stairs and the nurse camequietly through and spoke to Dinah. 

"Mrs. Everard is still asleep. Her brother is watching her and Biddy iswithin call. I thought I would take a little walk on the shore, as Ishall not be wanted just at present. "

"Oh, of course, " Dinah said. "Don't hurry back!"

The nurse smiled and flitted away into the golden evening sunlight. 

Dinah turned her head towards her silent companion. "I wonder, " she said, "if I could learn to be a nurse. "

He blew a cloud of smoke into the air. "Are you still worrying about thefuture?" he said. 

"I don't know that I am exactly worrying, " she made low reply. "But Ishall have to decide about it very soon. "

Scott was silent for a space while he finished his cigarette. Then atlast slowly, haltingly, he spoke. "Dinah, --I have been thinking about thefuture too. If I touch upon anything that hurts you, you must stop me, and I will not say another word. But, child, it seems to me that we shallboth be--rather lost--when Isabel is gone. I wonder--would it shock youvery much--if I suggested to you--as a solution of the difficulty--thatwe should some day in the future enter into partnership together?"

He spoke with obvious effort; his hands were gripped upon the arms of hischair. The wicker creaked in the strain of his grasp, but he himselfremained lying back with eyes half-closed in compulsory inaction. 

Dinah also sat absolutely still. If his words amazed her, she gave nosign. Only the wistfulness about her mouth deepened as she made answerbelow her breath. "It--is just like you to suggest such a thing;but--it is quite impossible. "

He opened his eyes and looked at her very steadily and kindly. "Quite?"he said. 

She bent her head, swiftly lowering her own. "Yes--thank you a milliontimes--quite. "

"Even if I promise never to make love to you?" he said, his voicehalf-quizzical, half-tender. 

She put out a trembling hand and laid it on his arm. "Oh, Scott, --it--isn't that!"

He took the hand and held it. "My dear, don't cry!" he urged gently. "Iknew you wouldn't have me really. I only thought I would just placemyself completely at your disposal in case--some day--you might bewilling to give me the chance to serve you in any capacity whatever. There! It is over. We are as we were--friends. "

He smiled at her with the words, and after a moment stooped and lightlytouched her fingers with his lips. 

"Come!" he said gently. "I haven't frightened you anyway. Have I?"

"No, " she whispered. 

His hand clasped hers for a second or two longer, then quietly let it go. "Don't be distressed!" he said, "I will never do it again. I am now--andalways--your trusty friend. "

And with that he rose in his slow way, paused to light another cigarette, smiled again upon her, and softly went indoors. 

CHAPTER XXVI

THE LAST SUMMONS

There is nought in life more solemn than the waiting hush that fallsbefore the coming of that great Change which men call Death. And it is tothe watchers rather than to the passing soul itself that the wonder seemsto draw most close. To stand before the veil, to know that very soon itmust be lifted for the loved one to pass beyond, to wait for the glimpseof that spirit-world from which only the frail wall of mortality divideseven the least spiritual, to watch as it were for the Gate of Death toopen and the great Revelation to flash for one blinding moment upon thedazzled eyes that may not grasp the meaning of what they see; this is tostand for a space within the very Sanctuary of God. 

The awe of it and the wonder hung night and day over the littlerose-covered house on the heath above the sea where Isabel was breathingforth the last of her broken earthly life. Dinah moved in that strangeatmosphere as one in a dream. She spent most of her time with Scott in asilent companionship in which no worldly thoughts seemed to have anypart. The things of earth, all worry, all distress, were in abeyance, hadsunk to such infinitesimal proportions that she was scarcely aware ofthem at all. It was as though they had climbed the steep mountain withIsabel, and not till they turned again to descend could they be aware ofthose things which lay so far below. 

Without Scott, both doubts and fears would have been her portion, butwith him all terrors fell shadow-like away before her. She hardlyrealized all that his presence meant to her during those days of waiting, but she leaned upon him instinctively as upon a sure support. He neverfailed her. 

Of Eustace she saw but little. From the very first it was evident thathis place was nearer to Isabel than Scott's had ever been. He did notshoulder Scott aside, but somehow as a matter of course he occupied theposition that the younger brother had sought to fill for the past sevenyears. It was natural, it was inevitable. Dinah could have resented thissuperseding at the outset had she not seen how gladly Scott gave place. Later she realized that the ground on which they stood was too holy forsuch considerations to have any weight with either brother. They wereunited in the one supreme effort to make the way smooth for the sisterwho meant so much to them both; and during all those days of waitingDinah never heard a harsh or impatient word upon the elder's lips. Allarrogance, all hardness, seemed to have fallen away from him as he trodwith them that mountain-path. Even old Biddy realized the change andrelented somewhat towards him though she never wholly brought herself tolook upon him as an ally. 

It was on a stormy evening at the beginning of July that Dinah wassitting alone in the little creeper-grown verandah watching the wonderfulgreens and purples of the sea when Eustace came soft-footed through thewindow behind her and sat down in a chair close by, which Scott hadvacated a few minutes before. 

Scott had just gone to the village post-office with some letters, but she had refused to accompany him, for it was the hour when sheusually sat with Isabel. She glanced at Eustace swiftly as he sat down, half-expecting a message from the sick-room. But he said nothing, merelyleaning back in the wicker-chair, and fixing his eyes upon the sombresplendour of endless waters upon which hers had been resting. There was amassive look about him, as of a strong man deliberately bent to somegigantic task. A little tremor went through her as furtively she watchedhim. His silence, unlike the silences of Scott, was disquieting. Shecould never feel wholly at ease in his presence. 

He turned his head towards her after a few seconds of absolute stillness, and in a moment her eyes sank. She sat in palpitating silence, as onecaught in some disgraceful act. 

But still he did not speak, and the painful colour flooded her face underhis mute scrutiny till in sheer distress she found herself forced to takethe initiative. 

"Is--Isabel expecting me?" she faltered. "Ought I to go?"

"No, " he said quietly. "She is dozing. Old Biddy is with her. "

It seemed as if the intolerable silence were about to fall again. Shecast about desperately for a means of escape. "Biddy was up and downduring the night. I think I will relieve her for a little while and lether rest. "

She would have risen with the words, but unexpectedly he reached forth adetaining hand. "Do you mind waiting a minute?" he said. "I will notsay--or do--anything to frighten you. "

He spoke with a faint smile that somehow hurt her almost unbearably. Sheremained as she was, leaning forward in her chair. "I--am not afraid, "she murmured almost inaudibly. 

His hand seemed to plead for hers, and in a moment she laid her ownwithin it. "That's right, " he said. "Dinah, will you try and treat me asif I were a friend--just for a few minutes?"

The tone of his voice--like his smile--pierced her with a poignancy thatsent the quick tears to her eyes. She forced them back with all herstrength. 

"I would like to--always, " she whispered. 

"Thank you, " he said. "You are kinder than I deserve. I have done nothingto win your confidence, so it is all the more generous of you to bestowit. On the strength of your generosity I am going to ask you a questionwhich only a friend could ask. Dinah, is there any understanding of anysort--apart from friendship--between you and Scott?"

She started slightly at the question, and in a moment firmly, with acertain authority, his hand closed upon hers. 

"You needn't be afraid to speak on Scott's account, " he said, with thatrather grim humility that seemed so foreign to his proud nature thatevery sign of it stabbed her afresh. "I am not such a dog in the mangeras that and he knows it. "

"Oh no!" Dinah said, and her words came with a rush. "But--I told youbefore, didn't I?--he doesn't care for me like that. He never has--neverwill. "

"I wonder why you say that, " Eustace said. 

"Because it's true!" With a species of feverish insistence she answeredhim. "How could I help knowing? Of course I know! Oh, please don't let ustalk about it! It--it hurts me. "

"I want you to bear with me, " he said gently, "just for a few minutes. Dinah, what if you are making a mistake? Mistakes happen, you know. Scottis a shy sort of chap, and immensely reserved. Doesn't it occur to youthat he may care for you and yet be afraid--just as you are afraid--tolet you know?"

"No, " Dinah said. "He doesn't. I know he doesn't!"

She spoke with her eyes upon the ground, her voice sunk very low. Shefelt as if she were being drawn down from the heights she desired totread. She did not want to contemplate the problems that she knew verysurely awaited her upon the lower level. She did not want to quit hersanctuary before the time. 

Sir Eustace received her assurance in silence, but he kept her hand inhis, and the power of his personality seemed to penetrate to the verycentre of her being. 

He spoke at last almost under his breath, still closely watching herdowncast face. "Are you quite sure you still care for him--in that way?"

She made a quick, appealing gesture. "Oh, need I answer that? I feelso--ashamed. "

"No, you needn't answer, " he made steady reply. "But you've nothing to beashamed about. Stumpy's an awful ass, you know, --always has been. He'sbeen head over heels in love with you ever since he met you. No, youneedn't let that shock you. He's such a bashful knight he'll never tellyou so. You'll have to do that part of it. " He smiled with faint irony. "But you may take my word for it, it is so. He has thought of nothing butyou and your happiness from the very beginning of things. And--unlikesomeone else we know--he has had the decency always to put your happinessfirst. "

He paused. Dinah's eyes had flashed up to his, green, eager, intenselyalive, and behind those eyes her soul seemed to be straining like a thingin leash. "Oh, I knew he had cared for someone, " she breathed, "But itcouldn't--it couldn't have been me!"

"Yes, " Sir Eustace said slowly. "You and none other. You wonder if it'strue--how I know. He's an awful ass, as I said before, one of the fewsupreme fools who never think of themselves. I knew that he was caughtall right ages back in Switzerland, and--being a low hound of meaninstincts--I set to work to cut him out. "

"Oh!" murmured Dinah. "That was just what I did with Rose de Vigne. "

His mouth twisted a little. "It's a funny world, Dinah, " he said. "Ourlittle game has cost us both something. I got too near the candle myself, and the scorch was pretty sharp while it lasted. Well, to get back to mystory. Scott saw that I was beginning to give you indigestion, and--beingas I mentioned before several sorts of a fool--he tackled me upon thesubject and swore that if I didn't put an end to the game, he would putyou on your guard against me, tell you in fact the precise species ofrotter that I chanced to be. I was naturally annoyed by his interference. Anyone would have been. I gave him the kicking he deserved. That was lowof me, wasn't it?" as she made a quick movement of shrinking. "You won'tforgive me for that, or for what came after. The very next day--to spitethe little beast--I proposed to you. "

Dinah's eyes were fiercely bright. "I wish I'd known!" she said. 

"I wish to heaven you had, my dear, " Eustace spoke with a grim hint ofhumour. "It would have saved us both a good deal of unnecessary troubleand humiliation. However, Scott was too big a fool to tell you. There isa martyrlike sort of cussedness about him that is several degrees worsethan any pride. So he let things be, still cheating himself into thebelief that the arrangement was for your happiness, till, as you areaware, it turned out so manifestly otherwise that he found himselfobliged once more to come to the rescue of his lady love. But hisexasperating humility was such that he never suspected the real reasonfor your change of mind, and when I accused him of cutting me out, he wasas scandalized as only a righteous man knows how to be. You can't do muchwith a fellow like that, you know, --a fool who won't believe the evidenceof his own senses. Besides, it was not for me to enlighten him, particularly as you didn't want him to know the real state of things justthen. So I left him alone. The next day--only the next day, mind you--thesilent knight opened his heart; to whom, do you think? You'll be horriblyfurious when I tell you. "

He looked into the hot eyes with an expression half-tender in his own. 

"Tell me!" breathed Dinah. 

"Really? Well, prepare for a nasty shock! To Rose de Vigne!"

"To Rose!" Indignation gave place to bewilderment in Dinah's eyes. 

"Even so; to Rose. She guessed the truth, and he frankly admitted she wasright, but gave her to understand that as he hadn't a chance in theworld, you were never to know. I am telling you the truth, Dinah. Youneedn't look so incredulous. She naturally considered that he was nottreating you very fairly and said so. But--" he raised his shouldersslightly--"you know Scott. Mules can't compete with him when he has madeup his mind to a thing. He gracefully put an end to the discussion anddoubtless he has buried the whole subject in a neat little corner of hisheart where no one can ever tumble over it, and resigned himself to alonely old age. Now, Dinah, I am going to give you the soundest piece ofadvice I have ever given anyone. If you are wise, you will dig it upbefore the moss grows, bring it into the air and call it back to life. Itis the greatest desire of Isabel's heart to see you two happy together. She told me so only to-day. And I am beginning to think that I wish ittoo. "

His look was wholly kind as he uttered the last words. He held her handin the close grip of a friend. 

"Don't let that insane humility of his be his ruin!" he urged. "He's afool. I've always said so. But his foolishness is the sort that attacksonly the great. Once let him know you care, and he'll be falling overhimself to propose. "

"Oh, don't!" Dinah begged, and her voice sounded chill and yet somehowpiteous. "I couldn't--ever--marry him. I told him so--only the otherday. "

"What? He proposed, did he?" Sheer amazement sounded in Eustace's voice. 

Dinah was not looking at him any longer. She sat rather huddled in herchair, as if a cold wind had caught her. 

"Yes, " she said in the same small, uneven voice. "He proposed. He didn'tmake love to me. In fact he--promised that he never would. But hethought--yes, that was it--he thought that presently I should be lonely, and he wanted me to know that he was willing to protect me. "

"What a fool!" Eustace said. "And so you refused him! I don't wonder. Ishould have pitched something at him if I'd been you. "

"Oh no! That wasn't why I refused. I had another reason. " Dinah's headwas bent low; he saw the hot colour she sought to hide. "I didn't know hecared, " she whispered. "But even if--if I had known, I couldn't have saidYes. I never can say Yes now. "

"Good heavens above!" he said. "Why not?"

"It's a reason I can't tell anyone, " faltered Dinah. 

"Nonsense!" he said, with a quick touch of his old imperiousness. "Youcan tell me. "

She shook her head. "No. Not you. Not anyone. "

"That is absurd, " he said, with brief decision. "What is the reason? Outwith it--quick, like a good child! If you could marry me, you can marryhim. "

"But I couldn't have married you, " she protested, "if I'd known. "

"It's something that's cropped up lately, is it?" He bent towards her, watching her keenly. "It can't be so very terrible. "

"It is, " she told him in distress. 

He was silent a moment; then very suddenly he moved, put his arm aroundher, drew her close. "What is it, my elf? Tell me!" he whispered. 

She hid her face against him with a little sob. It was odd, but at thatmoment she felt no fear of the man. He, whose fiery caresses had onceappalled her, had by some means unknown possessed himself of herconfidence so that she could not keep him at a distance. She did not evenwish to do so. 

After a few seconds, quiveringly she began to speak. "I don't know how totell you. It's an awful thing to tell. You know, I--I've never been happyat home. My mother never liked me, --was often cruel to me. " She shudderedsuddenly and violently. "I never knew why--till that awful night--thelast time I saw her. And then--and then she told me. " She drew a littlecloser to him like a frightened child. 

He held her against his breast. She was trembling all over. "Well?" hesaid gently. 

Desperately she forced herself to continue. "I don't belong to--to myfather--at all; only--only--to her. "

"What?" he said. 

She buried her shamed face a little deeper. "That was why--she married, "she whispered. 

"Your mother herself told you that?" Sir Eustace's voice was very low, but there was in it a danger-note that made her quail. 

Someone was coming along the garden-path, but neither of them heard. Dinah was crying with piteous, long-drawn sobs. The telling of thattragic secret had wrung her very soul. 

"Oh, don't be angry! You won't be angry?" she pleaded brokenly. 

His hand was on her head. "My child, I am not angry with you, " he said. "You were not to blame. There, dear! There! Don't cry! Isabel will bedistressed if she finds out. We mustn't let her know of this. "

"Or Scott either!" She lifted her face appealingly. "Eustace, please--please--you won't tell Scott? I--I couldn't bear him to know. "

He looked into her beseeching eyes, and his own softened. "It may be hewill have to know some day, " he said. "But--not yet. "

The halting steps drew nearer, uneven, yet somehow purposeful. 

Abruptly Eustace became aware of them. He looked up sharply. "You hadbetter go, dear, " he whispered to the girl in his arms. "Isabel may bewanting you at any time. We must think of her first now. Run in quicklyand dry your eyes before anyone sees! Come along!"

He rose, supporting her, turned her towards the window, and gently buturgently pushed her within. 

She went swiftly, enough as he released her, went with her hands over herface and not a backward glance. And Eustace wheeled back with a movementthat was almost fierce and met his brother as he set foot upon theverandah. 

Scott's face was pale as death, and there was that in his eyes that couldnot be ignored. Eustace answered it on the instant, briefly, with arestraint that obviously cost him an effort. "It's all right, Dinah is abit upset this evening. But she will be all right directly if we leaveher alone. "

Scott did not so much as pause. "Let me pass!" he said. 

His voice was perfectly quiet, but the command of it was such thatEustace, taken unawares, gave ground as it were instinctively. But thenext moment impulsively he caught Scott's arm. 

"I say, --Stumpy!" An odd embarrassment possessed him; he shook it offhalf-angrily. "You needn't go making mistakes--jumping to idioticconclusions. I'm not cutting you out this time. "

Scott looked at him. His light eyes held contempt. "Oh, I know that, " hesaid, and there was in his slow voice a note of bitter humour that cutlike a whip. "You are never in earnest. You were always the sort to makesport for yourself out of suffering, and then to toss the dregs of youramusement to those who are not--sportsmen. "

Eustace was as white as he was himself. He held him in a grip of iron. "What the--devil do you mean?" he said, his voice husky with the strongeffort he made to control it. 

The younger brother was absolutely controlled, but his eyes shone like adazzling white flame. "Ask yourself that question!" he said, and hiswords, though low, had a burning quality, almost as if some force apartfrom the man himself inspired them. "You know the answer as well as I do. You have studied the damnable game so long, offered so many victims uponthe altar of your accursed sport. There is nothing to prevent your goingon with it. You will go on no doubt till you tire of the chase. And thenyour turn will come. You will find yourself alone among the ruins, andyou will pay the price. You may repent then--but repentance sometimescomes too late. "

He was gone with the words, gone as if an inner force compelled, shakingoff the hand that had detained him, and passing scatheless within. 

He went up the stairs as calmly as if he had entered the house withoutinterruption. Someone was sobbing piteously behind a closed door, but hedid not turn in that direction. He moved straight to the door of Isabel'sroom, as if a voice had called him. 

And on the threshold Biddy met him, her black eyes darkly mysterious, herwrinkled face drawn with awe rather than grief. 

"Ah, Master Scott, and is it yourself?" she whispered. "I was coming tofetch ye--coming to tell ye. It's the call; she's had her last summons. Faith, and I almost heard it meself. She'll be gone by morning, theblessed lamb. There'll be no holding her after this. "

Scott passed her by without a word. He went straight to his sister'sbedside. 

She was lying with her face turned up to the evening sky, but on theinstant her eyes met his, and in them was that look of a greatexpectation which many term the Shadow of Death. 

"Oh, Stumpy, is it you?" she said. Her breathing was quick and irregular, but it did not seem to hurt her. "I've had--such a wonderful--dream. Orcould it have been--a vision?"

He bent and took her hand in his. His eyes were infinitely tender. Allthe passion had been wiped out of his face. 

"It may have been a vision, dear, " he said. 

Her look brightened; she smiled. "He was here--in this room--with me, "she said. "He was standing there--at the foot of the bed. And--and--Iheld out my arms to him. Oh, Stumpy, I almost thought--I was going withhim then. But--I think he heard you coming, for he laughed and drew back. 'We shall meet in the morning, ' he said. And while I was still looking, he was gone. "

She began to pant. He stooped and raised her. She clung to him with allher waning strength. "Stumpy! Stumpy! You will help me--through thenight?"

"My darling, yes, " he said. 

She clung to him still. "It won't be--good-bye, " she urged softly. "Youwill be coming too--very soon. "

"God grant it!" he said, under his breath. 

Her look dwelt upon him. Again faintly she smiled. "Ah, Stumpy, " shesaid, "but you are going to be very happy first, my dear, --my dear. "

CHAPTER XXVII

THE MOUNTAIN-TOP

The night fell like a black veil, starless and still. Up in Isabel's roomthe watchers came and went, dividing the hours. Only the nurse and oldBiddy remained always at their posts, the one seated near one of thewide-flung windows, the other crouched on an ottoman at the foot of thebed, her beady eyes perpetually fixed upon the white, motionless faceupon the pillow. 

Only by the irregular and sometimes difficult breathing did they knowthat Isabel still lived, for she gave no sign of consciousness, utteredno word, made no voluntary movement of any sort. Like those who watchedabout her, she seemed to be waiting, waiting for the amazing revelationof the Dawn. 

They had propped her high with pillows; her pale hands lay outside thecoverlet. Her eyes were closed. She did not seem to notice who came orwent. 

"She may slip away without waking, " the nurse whispered once to Dinah whohad crept to her side. "Or she may be conscious just at the last. Thereis no telling. "

Dinah did not think that she was asleep, but yet during all her vigil thewhite lids had not stirred, no spark of vitality had touched the marbleface. She was possessed by a great longing to speak to her, to call herout of that trance-like silence; but she did not dare. She was as onebound by a spell. The great stillness was too holy to break. All herown troubles were sunk in oblivion. She felt as if she moved in ashadow-world where no troubles could penetrate, where no voice wasever lifted above a whisper. 

As she crept from the room, she met Eustace entering. He looked gaunt andhaggard in the dim light. Nothing seemed natural on that night ofwaiting. 

He paused a moment, touched her shoulder. "Go and rest, child!" hemuttered. "I will call you if she wakes. "

She sent him a faint smile and flitted by him into the passage. Howcould she rest on a night like this, with the vague whisperings of thespirit-world all about her? Besides, in another hour the darkness wouldbe over--the Dawn would come! Not for all the world would she miss thatwonderful coming of a new day--the day which Isabel was awaiting in thatdumb passivity of unquestioning patience. They had come so far up themountain-track together; she must be with her when the morning foundthem on the summit. 

But it was Eustace's turn to watch, and she moved towards herown room, through the open windows of which the vague murmur andsplash of the sleeping sea drifted like the accompaniment of far-offmusic--undreamed-of Alleluias. 

The dim glow of a lamp lay across her path, like a barrier staying herfeet. Almost involuntarily she paused before a half-open door. It was asthough some unseen force compelled her. And, so pausing, there came toher a sound that gripped her like a hand upon her heart--it was thebroken whispering of a man in an agony of prayer. 

It was not by her own desire that she stood to listen. The anguish ofthat voice held her, so that she was powerless to move. 

"O God! O God!" The words pierced her with their entreaty; it was a cryfrom the very depths. "The mistake was mine. Let me bear theconsequences! But save her--O save her--from further suffering!" Amomentary silence, and then, more desperately still: "O God--if Thou artanywhere--hear--and help! Let me bear whatever Thou wilt! But spareher--spare her! She has borne so much!"

A terrible sob choked the gasping utterance. There fell a silence sotense, so poignant with pain, that the girl upon the threshold trembledas one physically afraid. Yet she could not turn and flee. She felt as ifit were laid upon her to stand and witness this awful struggle of a soulin torment. But that it should be Scott--the wise, the confident, theunafraid--passing alone through this place of desolation, sent the bloodto her heart in a great wave of consternation. If Scott failed--if thesword of Greatheart were broken--it seemed to her that nothing could beleft in all the world, as if even the coming Dawn must be buried indarkness. 

Was it for Isabel he was praying thus? She supposed it must be, thoughshe had felt all through this night of waiting that no prayer was needed. Isabel was so near the mountain-top that surely she was safe--neareralready to God than any of their prayers could bring her. 

And yet Scott was wrestling here as one overwhelmed with evil. Wherefore?Wherefore? The steady faith of this good friend of hers had never to herknowledge flickered before. What had happened to shake him thus?

He was praying again, more coherently but in words so low that they werescarcely audible. She crept a little nearer, and now she could see him, kneeling at the table, his head sunk upon it, his arms flung wide withclenched fists that seemed impotently to beat the air. 

"I'm praying all wrong, " he whispered. "Forgive me, but I'm all in thedark to-night. Thou knowest, Lord, how awful the dark can be. I'm notasking for an answer. Only guide our feet! Deliver us from evil--deliverher--O God--deliver my Dinah--by that love which is of Thee and whichnothing will ever alter! If I may not help her, give me strength--tostand aside!"

A great shiver went through him; he gripped his hands together suddenlyand passionately. 

"O my God, " he groaned, "it's the hardest thing on earth--to stand and donothing--when I love her so. "

Something seemed to give way within him with the words. His shouldersshook convulsively. He buried his face in his arms. 

And in that moment the power that had stayed Dinah upon the thresholdsuddenly urged her forward. 

Almost before she realized it, she was there at his side, stooping overhim, holding him--holding him fast in a clasp that was free from anyhesitation or fear, a clasp in which all her pulsing womanhood rushedforth to him, exulting, glorying in its self-betrayal. 

"My dear! Oh, my dear!" she said. "Are you praying for me?"

"Dinah!" he said. 

Just her name, no more; but spoken in a tone that thrilled her throughand through! He leaned against her for a few moments, almost as if hefeared to move. Then, as one gathering strength, he uttered a great sighand slowly got to his feet. 

"You mustn't bother about me, " he said, and the sudden rapture had allgone out of his voice; it had the flatness of utter weariness. "I shallbe all right. "

But Dinah's hands yet clung to his shoulders. Those moments of yieldinghad revealed to her more than any subsequent word or action could belie. Her eyes, shining with a great light, looked straight into his. 

"Dear Scott! Dear Greatheart!" she said, and her voice trembled over thetender utterance of the name. "Are you in trouble? Can't I help?"

He took her face between his hands, looking straight back into theshining eyes. "You are the trouble, Dinah, " he told her simply. "And I'dgive all I have--I'd give my soul--to make life easier for you. "

She leaned towards him, and suddenly those shining eyes were blurredwith a glimmer of tears. "Life is dreadfully difficult, " she said. "Butyou have never done anything but help me. And, oh, Scott, I--don't knowif I ought to tell you--forgive me if it's wrong--but--but I feel Imust--" her breath came so quickly that she could hardly utter thewords--"I love you--I love you--better than anyone else in the world!"

"Dinah!" he said, as one incredulous. 

"It's true!" she panted. "It's true! Eustace knows it--has known italmost as long as I have. It isn't the only thing I have to tell you, but it's the first--and biggest. And even though--even though--I shallnever be anything more to you than I am now--I'm glad--I'm proud--foryou to know. There's nothing else that counts in the same way. Andthough--though I refused you the other day--I wanted you--dreadfully, dreadfully. If--if I had only been good enough for you--But--but--I'mnot!" She broke off, battling with herself. 

He was still holding her face between his hands, and there was somethingof insistence, something that even bordered upon ruthlessness, in hishold. Though the tears were running down her face, he would not let hergo. 

"Will you tell me what you mean by that?" he said, his voice very low. "Or--must I ask Eustace?"

She started. There was that in his tone that made her wince inexplicably. "Oh no, " she said, "no! I'll tell you myself--if--if you must know. "

"I am afraid I must, " he said, and for all their resolution, the wordshad a sound of deadly weariness. He let her go slowly as he uttered them. "Sit down!" he said gently. "And please don't tremble! There is nothingto make you afraid. "

She dropped into the chair he indicated, and made a desperate effort tocalm herself. He stood beside her with the absolute patience of oneaccustomed to long waiting. 

After a few moments, she put up a quivering hand, seeking his. He took itinstantly, and as his fingers closed firmly upon her own, she foundcourage. 

"I didn't want you to know, " she whispered. "But I--I see now--it'sbetter that you should. There's no other way--of making you understand. It's just this--just this!" She swallowed hard, striving to control thepiteous trembling of her voice. "I am--one of those people--that--thatnever ought to have been born. I don't belong--anywhere--exceptto--my mother who--who--who has no use for me, --hated me before ever Icame into the world. You see, she--married because--because--anotherman--my real father--had played her false. Oh, do you wonder--do youwonder--" she bowed her forehead upon his hand with a rush oftears--"that--that when I knew--I--I felt as if--I couldn't--go onwith life?"

Her weeping was piteous; it shook her from head to foot. 

But--in the very midst of her distress--there came to her a wonder sogreat that it checked her tears at the height of their flow. For verysuddenly it dawned upon her that Scott--Scott, her knight of the goldenarmour--was kneeling at her feet. 

Half in wonder and half in awe, she lifted her head and looked at him. And in that moment he took her two hands and kissed them, tenderly, reverently, lingeringly. 

"Was this what you and Eustace were talking about this afternoon?" hesaid. 

She nodded. "I had to tell him--why--I couldn't marry you. He--he hadbeen--so kind. "

"But, my own Dinah, " he said, and in his voice was a quiverhalf-quizzical yet strangely charged with emotion, "did you everseriously imagine that I should allow a sordid little detail likethat to come between us? Surely Eustace knew better than that!"

She heard him in amazement, scarcely believing that she heard. "Doyou--can you mean--" she faltered, "that--it really--doesn't count?"

"I mean that it is less than nothing to me, " he made answer, and in hiseyes as they looked into hers was that glory of worship that she had onceseen in a dream. "I mean, my darling, that since you want me as I wantyou, nothing--nothing in the world--can ever come between us any more. Oh, my dear, my dear, I wish you'd told me sooner. "

"I knew I ought to, " she murmured, still hardly believing. "Andyet--somehow--I couldn't bear the thought of your knowing, --particularlyas--as--till Eustace told me--I never dreamed you--cared. You areso--great. You ought to have someone so much--better than I. I'm notnearly good enough--not nearly. "

He was drawing her to him, and she went with a little sob into his arms;but she turned her face away over his shoulder, avoiding his. 

"I ought not--to have told you--I loved you, " she said brokenly. "It wasn't right of me. Only--when I saw you so unhappy--Icouldn't--somehow--keep it in any longer. Dear Scott, don't youthink--before--before we go any further--you had better--forget itand--give me up?"

"No, I don't think so. " Scott spoke very softly, with the utmosttenderness, into her ear. "Don't you realize, " he said, "that we belongto each other? Could there possibly be anyone else for either you or me?"

She did not answer him; only she clung a little closer. And, after amoment, as she felt the drawing of his hold, "Don't kiss me---yet!" shebegged him tremulously. "Let us wait till--the morning!"

His arms relaxed, "It is very near the morning now, " he said. "Shall wego and watch for it?"

They rose together. Dinah's eyes sought his for one shy, fleeting second, falling instantly as if half-dazzled, half-afraid. He took her hand andled her quietly from the room. 

It was no longer dark in the passage outside. A pearly light was growing. The splash of the sea sounded very far below them, as the dim surging ofa world unseen might rise to the watchers on the mountain-top. 

They moved to an open window at the end of the passage. No sound camefrom Isabel's room close by, and after a few seconds Scott turnednoiselessly aside and entered. 

Dinah remained at the open window waiting with a throbbing heart in thegreat silence that wrapped the world. She was not afraid, but she longedfor Scott to come back; she was conscious of an urgent need of him. 

Several moments passed, and then softly he returned. "No change!" hewhispered. "Eustace will call us--when it comes. "

She slipped her hand back into his, without speaking. He made her situpon the window-seat, and knelt himself upon it, his arm about hershoulders, his fingers clasping hers. 

She could see his face but vaguely in the dimness, but many times duringthat holy hour before the dawn, though he spoke no word, she felt that hewas praying or giving thanks. 

Slowly the twilight turned into a velvet dusk. The great Change wasdrawing near. The silence lay like a thinning veil of mist upon themountain-top. The clouds were parting in the East, all tinged with gold, like burnished gates flung back for the royal coming of the sun-god. Thestillness that lay upon all the waiting earth was sacred as the hush ofprayer. 

Their faces were turned towards the spreading glow. It shone upon them asit shone upon all beside, widening, intensifying, till the whole earthlay wrapped in solemn splendour--and then at last, through the opengates, red, royal, triumphant, the sun-god came. 

There came a moment in which all things were touched with the glory, allthings were made new. And in that moment, sudden as a flash of light, abird of pure white plumage appeared before their eyes, hovered aninstant; then flew, mounting on wide, gleaming wings, straight into thedawn.... 

Even while they watched, it vanished through the gates of gold. And onlythe gracious sunshine of a new day remained.... 

A low voice spoke from the chamber of Death. They turned from the visionand saw Eustace standing in the doorway. 

He was very white, but absolutely calm. There was a nobility about him atthat moment that sent a queer little throb to Dinah's heart. He held outhis hand, not to her, but to Scott. "She is gone, " he said. 

Scott went to him; she saw their hands meet. There was no agitation abouteither of them. 

"In her sleep?" Scott said. 

"Yes. We didn't even know--till it was over. "

They turned into the room, still hand grasping hand. 

And Dinah knelt up and stretched out her arms to the shining morning sky. Something within her was whispering that she and Scott had seen more ofthe passing of Isabel than any of those who had watched beside her bed. And in the quiet of that wonderful morning, she offered her quiveringthanks to God. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

CONSOLATION

Of the long hours that followed that wonderful dawning Dinah never hadany very distinct recollection. Even Scott seemed to forget her for awhile, and it was old Biddy who presently found her curled up on thewindow-seat with her head upon the sill asleep--Biddy with her eyes verybright and alert, albeit deeply rimmed with red. 

She came to the childish, drooping figure, murmuring tender words. Sheput wiry arms about her and lifted her to her feet. 

"There! Come to your own room and rest, my lamb!" she said. "Old Biddy'lltake care of ye, aroon. "

Dinah submitted with the vague docility of a brain but half-awakened. Tobe cared for and petted by Biddy was no new thing in her experience. Sheeven felt as if the old crystal Alpine days had returned, as Biddyundressed her and presently tucked her into bed. Later, still insemi-consciousness, she drank the hot milk that the old woman broughther, and then sank into a deep, deep sleep. 

She awakened from that sleep with a sense of well-being such as she hadnever known before, a feeling of complete security and rest. The housewas very quiet, and through the curtained window there came to her thesoft, slumberous splash of the waves. 

She lay very still, listening to the soothing murmur, gradually focusingher mind again after its long oblivion. The memory of the previous nightand of the coming of the dawn came back to her, and with it the thoughtof Isabel; but without grief and without regret. They had left her on themountain-top, and she knew that all must be well. 

A great peace seemed to have fallen like a veil upon the whole house. Surely no one could be mourning over that glad release! She saw again theflashing of those free wings in the dawn-light, and her heart thrilledafresh. She remembered too the close, strong clasp of Scott's hand ashe had watched with her. 

Where was Scott now? The wonder darted suddenly through her brain, andwith it, swift as a flying cloud-shadow, came the want of him, thelonging for the quiet voice, the quivering delight of his near presence. She half-raised herself, and then, caught by another thought, sank downagain to hide her burning face in the pillow. It would be a littledifficult to meet him again. On the old easy terms of friendship itcould not be, and they had hardly begun to be lovers yet. He--had noteven--kissed her!

Another thought came to her--of an even more disturbing nature. Save forold Biddy and the nurse, she was alone with the two brothers now. Wouldthey--would they insist upon sending her home until--until Scott wasready to come and take her away? Oh, surely--surely Scott would never askthat of her!

Nevertheless the thought tormented her. She did not see any way out ofthe difficulty, and she was terribly afraid that Scott would be equallyat a loss. 

"I don't think I could bear it, " she whispered to herself. "And yet--ifhe says so--if he says so--I suppose I must. I couldn't refuse--if hesaid so. "

The soft opening of the door recalled her to the immediate present. Shesaw old Biddy's face with its watchful, guardian look peep stealthily inupon her. 

"Ah, mavourneen!" she whispered fondly, coming forward. "And is it awakeye are? I've peeped round at ye this five times, and ye were sleepinglike a new-born babe. Lie still, darlint, while I fetch ye a cup o' taythen!"

She was gone with the words, but in a very little she was back again withher own especial brew. She set her tray down by Dinah's side, but Dinahdid not even look at it. She raised herself instead, and threw warm armsaround the old woman's neck. "Oh, Biddy, " she said, "Biddy, darling, Ican't think what ever I'd do without you!"

Biddy uttered a sharp sob, and gathered her close. But in a moment, half-angrily, "And what is it that I'd be crying for at all?" she said. "Isn't my dear Miss Isabel safer with the Almighty than ever she was withme? Isn't she gone to the blessed saints in Paradise? And would I haveher back? No, no! I'm not that selfish, Miss Dinah. I'm an old womanmoreover, and be the same token me own time can't be so far off now. "

But Dinah clung faster to her. "Please, Biddy, please--don't talk likethat! I want you, " she said. 

"Ah, bless the dear lamb!" said Biddy, and tenderly kissed the upturned, pleading face. "Miss Isabel said ye would now. But when ye've got MasterScott to take care of ye, it's not old Biddy that ye'll be wanting anylonger. "

"I shall, " Dinah vowed. "I shall. I shall always want my Biddy. "

"And may the Lord Almighty bless ye for the word!" said Biddy. 

When Dinah was dressed, a great shyness fell upon her, born partly of thestill mystery of the presence of Death that wrapped the little house. She stood by the window of her room, looking forth, irresolute, over theevening sea. 

The blinds were drawn only in the room of Death, for Scott had sodecreed, and the air blew in sweet and fresh from the rippling water. 

After a few minutes, Biddy came softly up behind her. "And is it himselfye're looking for, mavourneen?" she murmured at Dinah's shoulder. 

Dinah started a little and flushed. She wondered if Biddy knew all oronly guessed. "I don't know--what to do, " she said rather confusedly. 

Biddy gave her a quick, wise look. "Will I tell ye a secret, Miss Dinahdear?" she whispered. 

Dinah looked at her. The old woman's face was full of shrewdunderstanding. "Yes, tell me!" she said somewhat breathlessly. 

Biddy's brown hand grasped her arm. "Master Scott went to town thismorning, " she said. "He'll be back any minute now. Sir Eustace isdownstairs. He wants to see ye--to tell ye something--before Master Scottgets back. "

"Oh, what--what?" gasped Dinah. 

"There, now, there! Don't ye be afraid!" said Biddy, her beady eyessoftening. "It's something ye'll like. Master Scott--he's not thegentleman to make ye do anything ye don't want to do. Don't ye trust him, Miss Dinah?"

"Of course--of course, " Dinah said, with trembling lips. 

"Then ye've nothing to be afraid of, " said Biddy wisely. "Faith, it'sonly the marriage-licence he's been to fetch!"

"Oh--Biddy!" Dinah wheeled from the window, with both her hands over herheart. 

Biddy nodded with grave triumph. "It was Sir Eustace made him go. MasterScott--he didn't think it would be dacent, not at first. But, as SirEustace said, there's more ways than one of being ondacent, and after allit was the dearest wish of Miss Isabel's heart. 'Don't you be aconventional fool!' he said. And for once I agreed with him, " said Biddynaïvely, "though I think he needn't have used bad language over it. "

"Oh--Biddy!" Dinah said again, and then very oddly she began to smile, and the tension went out of her attitude. She kissed the wrinkled cheek, and turned. "I think perhaps I will go down and speak to Sir Eustace, "she said. 

She went quickly, aware that if she suffered herself to pause, thatoverpowering shyness would seize upon her again. 

Guided by the scent of cigarette-smoke, she entered the dining-room. SirEustace was seated at a writing-table near the window. He looked upswiftly at her entrance. 

"Awake at last!" he said, and would have risen with the words, but shereached him first and checked him. 

"Eustace! Oh, Eustace!" she said. "I--I--Biddy has just told me--"

He frowned, as she stopped in confusion, steadying herself ratherpiteously against his shoulder. But in a moment, seeing her agitation, heput a kindly arm around her. 

"Biddy is an old fool--always was. Don't take any notice of her! What aferment you're in, child! What's the matter? There, sit down!"

He drew her down on to the arm of his chair, and she leaned against him, striving for self-control. 

"You--you are so--so much too good, " she murmured. 

He smiled rather grimly. "No one ever accused me of that before! Was thatthe staggering piece of information that Biddy has imparted to you?"

"No, " she said, a fleeting smile upon her awn face. "It was--itwas--about Scott. It took my breath away, --that's all. "

"That all?" said Eustace with a faintly wry lift of one eyebrow. 

She slipped a shy arm around his neck. "Eustace, do you--do you thinkI--ought to let Scott marry me?"

"I'm quite sure you'll break his heart if you don't, " responded Eustace. 

"Oh, I couldn't do that!" she said quickly. 

"No. I shouldn't if I were you. It isn't a very amusing game for anyoneconcerned. " Sir Eustace took up his pen with his free hand. "He's rathera good chap, you know, " he said, "beastly good sometimes. He'll take alittle living up to. But you'll manage that, I daresay. When he told mehow things stood between you, I saw directly that there was only onething to be done, and I made him do it. The idea is to get you marriedbefore the nurse goes, and she is off to-morrow. " He paused, looking ather critically, and again half-cynically, half-sadly, smiled. "You tookthat well, " he said. "If it had been to me, you'd have jumped sky-high. You're a wise little creature, Dinah. You've chosen the best man, andyou'll never be sorry. I congratulate you on your choice. "

He turned his face fully to her, and she stooped swiftly and kissed him. "I'm--dreadfully sorry I--treated you so badly first, " she whispered. 

"You needn't be, " he said. "It did me good. You showed me myself from apoint of view that I had never taken before. You taught me to be human. Itold Isabel so. She--poor girl--" he stopped a second, and she saw thatmomentarily he was moved; but he continued almost at once--"she wasgrateful to you too, " he said. "You removed the outer crust at a singlestroke--just in time to prevent atrophy. Of course, " he glanced down atthe letter under his hand, "it was a more or less painful process, but itmay comfort you to know that it didn't go quite so deep with me as Ithought it had at the time. There's no sense in crying over spilt milkanyhow. I never was that sort of ass. You may--or may not--be pleased tohear that I am already well on the way to consolation. " He lifted hiseyes suddenly with an expression in them that completely baffled her. Itwas almost as if he had detached himself for the moment from allparticipation in his own doings, contemplating them with a half-patheticirony. "Shall I tell you what I was doing when you came in just now?" hesaid. "I was writing to the girl you nearly sacrificed your happiness tocut out. "

"Rose de Vigne?" she said quickly. 

He nodded. "Yes, Rose de Vigne" He paused for a second, just a second;then: "The girl I am going to marry, " he said quietly. 

"Oh, Eustace!" There was no mistaking the gladness in Dinah's tone. "I ampleased!" she said earnestly. "I know you will be happy together. Youwere simply made for each other. "

He smiled, still in that strange, half-rueful fashion. "I am doing thebest I can under the circumstances. It is kind of you to be pleased. Butnow once more to your affairs. They are more pressing than mine just now. It may interest you to know that Scott--although under Isabel's will heis made absolutely independent of me--is willing to live at the DowerHouse, if that arrangement meets with your approval. "

"Of course--I shall love it, " Dinah said. 

"I am glad of that, for it will be a great help to me to have him there. You will be able to have Billy to stay with you in the holidays and roamabout as you like. Scott is making all sorts of plans. I am going tosettle the place on him as a wedding-present. "

"Oh, Eustace! How kind! What a lovely gift!"

Sir Eustace smiled at her. "I am giving him more than that, Dinah. I amgiving him his wife and--the wedding-ring. " The irony was uppermostagain, but it held no sting. "It will fit no other hand but yours, and itwill serve to keep you in constant remembrance of your good luck. I canhear him coming up the path. Aren't you going to meet him?"

She sprang up like a startled fawn. "Oh, I can't--I can't meet him yet, "she said desperately. 

There was a curious glint in Eustace's eyes as he watched her, a flash ofmockery that came and went. 

"What?" he said. "Do you want me to help you to run away from him now?"

She looked at him quickly, and in a moment her hesitation was gone. 

"Oh, no!" she said. "No!" and with a little breathless sound that mighthave been a tremor of laughter, she fled away from him out into theevening sunshine to meet her lover. 

CHAPTER XXIX

THE SEVENTH HEAVEN

They were married in the early morning at the little old church that hadnestled for centuries among its trees in the village on the cliff. Theabsolute simplicity of the service deprived it of all terrors for Dinah. Standing with Scott in the glow of sunlight that smote full upon themthrough the mellow east window, she could not feel afraid. The wholeworld was so bright, so full of joy. 

"Do you think Isabel can see us now?" she whispered to him, as they rosetogether from kneeling before the altar. 

He did not answer her in words, but his pale eyes were shining with thatsteadfast light of the spirit which she had come to know. She wished shecould have knelt there by his side a little longer. They seemed to be sonear to the Gates of Heaven. 

But they were not alone, and they could not linger. Sir Eustace who hadgiven her away, Biddy who had tenderly supported her, the nurse whocarried the fragrant bouquet of honeysuckle--the bond of love--which shehad herself gathered for the bride, all were waiting to draw them backto earth again; and with Scott's hand clasping hers she turnedregretfully and left the holy place. 

Later, when Sir Eustace kissed her with the careless observation that healways kissed a bride, she had a moment of burning shyness, and she wouldgladly have hidden her face. But Scott did not kiss her. He had notoffered to do so since that wonderful moment when he had first held heragainst his heart. He had not attempted to make love to her, and she hadnot felt the need of it. Grave and practical, he had laid his plansbefore her, and with the supreme confidence that he had always inspiredin her she had acquiesced to all. 

At his desire she had refrained from entering Isabel's death-chamber. Athis desire she was to leave that day for the Dower House that was to betheir home. Biddy would accompany her thither. The place was ready foroccupation, for by Isabel's wish the work had gone on, though both sheand Scott had known that they would never share a home there. It almostseemed as if she had foreseen the fulfilment of her earnest wish. Andhere Dinah was to await her husband. 

"I won't come to you till the funeral is over, " he said to her. "I mustbe with Eustace. You won't be unhappy?"

No, she would not be unhappy. She had never been so near to Death before, but she was neither frightened nor dismayed. She stood in the shadowindeed, but she looked forth from it over a world of such sunshine asfilled her heart with quivering gladness. 

He did not want her to attend the funeral at Willowmount, would not, ifhe could help it, suffer her so much as to see the trappings of woe; andin this Dinah acquiesced also, comprehending fully the motive thatunderlay his wish. She knew that the earthly formalities, though theyhad to be faced, were to Scott something of the nature of a grim farce inwhich, while he could not escape it himself, he was determined that sheshould take no part. He was not mourning for Isabel. He would not pretendto mourn. Her death was to him but as the opening wide of a prison-doorto one who had long lain captive, pining for liberty. He would follow thepoor worn body to its grave rather with thanksgiving than with grief. Andrealizing so well that this was his inevitable feeling, even as in asmaller degree it had become her own, Dinah agreed without demur to hiswish to spare her all the jarring details, the travesty of mourning, thatcould not fail to strike a false chord in her soul. 

It was well for her that she had Biddy to think of. The old woman waspathetically eager to serve her. She had in fact attached herself toDinah in a fashion that went to her heart. It was Miss Isabel's wish thatshe should take care of her, she told her tremulously, and Dinah, knewthat it had been equally her friend's wish that she should care forBiddy. 

And Biddy was very good. Probably in accordance with Scott's desire, shemade a great effort to throw off all gloom, and undoubtedly her own senseof loss and bereavement was greatly lessened by the consciousness ofDinah's need of her. 

"Time enough to weep later, " she told herself, as she lay down in theroom adjoining Dinah's on that first night in the Dower House. "She'llnot be wanting old Biddy when Master Scott comes to her. "

The two days that followed were very fully occupied. There were curtainsand pictures to hang, furniture to be arranged, and many things to beunpacked. Dinah went to the work with zest. She did not know when Scottwould come. But it would be soon, she knew it would be soon; and shethrilled to the thought. Everything must be ready for him. She wanted himto feel that it was home from the moment he crossed the threshold. 

So, with Biddy's help, she went about her preparations, enlisting the oldnurse's sympathies till at last she succeeded in arousing her enthusiasmalso. There was certainly no time to weep. 

That second day after her arrival was the day of the funeral. It wasa beautiful still day of summer, and in the afternoon Dinah and Biddysat in the garden overlooking the winding river, and read the BurialService together. It was Dinah's suggestion, somewhat shyly proffered, and--though she knew it not--from that time forward Biddy's heart wasat her feet. Whatever tears there might be yet to shed had lost allbitterness from that hour. 

"I'll never be lonely so long as there's you to love, Miss Dinahdarlint, " Biddy murmured, when the young arms closed about her neck for amoment ere they went back to their work. "Ye've warmed and comforted meall through. "

It was late in the evening when dusk was falling that there came thesound of an uneven tread on the gravel path before the Dower House. 

Dinah was the first to hear it. Dinah wearing one of Biddy's voluminousaprons and mounted on a pair of steps, arranging china on a high shelfthat ran round the old square hall. 

The front-door was open, and the birds were singing in the gloaming. Shehad been listening to them while she worked, when suddenly this new soundcame. Her heart gave a wild leap and stood still. She had not expectedhim to-night. 

She sat down on the top of the steps with a swift, indescribable rush offeeling that seemed to deprive her of all her strength. She could nothave said for the moment if she were glad or dismayed at the sound ofthat quiet footfall. But she was quite powerless to go and meet him. Agreat wave of shyness engulfed her, possessing her, overwhelming her. 

He entered. He came straight to her. She wondered afterwards what he musthave thought of her, sitting there on her perch in burning embarrassmentwith no word or sign of welcome. But whatever he thought, he dealt withthe situation with unerring instinct. 

He mounted a couple of steps with hands stretched up to hers. "Why, myDinah!" he said. "How busy you are! Let me help!"

Her heart throbbed on again, fast and hard. But still for a few secondsshe could not speak. She stooped with a soft endearing sound and laid herface upon the hands that had clasped her own. 

He suffered her for a moment or two in silence; she thought his handstrembled slightly. Then: "Let's get finished, little wife!" he saidgently. "Isn't the day's work nearly over? Can't we take off oursandals--and rest?"

"I have just done, " she said, finding her voice. "Biddy and I have gotthrough such a lot. Oh, Scott, " as the light fell upon his face, "howtired you look!"

"It has been rather a tiring day, " he made answer. "I didn't think Icould get over here to-night; but Eustace insisted. "

"How good of him!" she said, with quick gratitude. 

"Yes, he is good, " Scott's voice was tender. "I couldn't sleep lastnight, and he came into my room, and we had a long talk. He is one of thebest, Dinah; one of the best. I'm afraid you've made--rather a poorexchange. "

Something in his tone banished the last of Dinah's shyness. She gave himher basket of china and prepared to descend. He stretched up a courteoushand to help her, but she would have none of it. "You are never to saythat--or anything like it--again, " she said severely. "If--if you weren'tso dreadfully tired, I believe I'd be really angry. As it is--" shereached the ground and stood there before him, a small, purposeful figureclad in the great apron that wrapped about her like a garment. 

"As it is--" he suggested meekly, setting the basket on a chair andturning back to face her. 

Two quivering hands came out to him in the gloaming, and fastenedresolutely on his coat. "Oh, Greatheart, " whispered a tremulous voice, "Ilove you so much--so much--I want--to kiss you!"

"My darling, " answered Greatheart softly, "you can't want it--more than Ido. "

His arms closed about her; he drew her to his breast. 

 * * * * *

"Arrah thin, what would I cry for at all?" said Biddy, as she laydown that night. "I've got herself and Master Scott to care for, andmaybe--some day--the Almighty will remember old Biddy for good, and giveanother little one into her care. "

 * * * * *

"And you left them quite happy?" smiled Rose to her lover two days later. "It's a very suitable arrangement, isn't it? I always used to think thatDinah and your brother should make a match. "

"Oh, quite suitable, " agreed Eustace lazily, an odd blend of irony andsatisfaction in his tone. "They will be happy enough. Stumpy, you know, is just the sort of chivalrous ass that a child like Dinah canappreciate. They'll probably live in the seventh heaven, and fancy thatno one else has ever been within a million miles of it. "

"Poor little Dinah!" murmured Rose. "She will never know what she hasmissed. "

And, "Just as well perhaps, " said Sir Eustace, with his faintly cynicalsmile.