y, irresponsible lot."

"But suppose you wished to marry?"

He smiled at her. "It's a difficulty that has already been pointed
out. If I ever marry, the girl I choose will believe in me in spite of
appearances. In fact, she'll have to; I've no medals and decorations
to bring her."

"You have much that's worth more!" Mrs. Keith exclaimed, moved by his
steadfastness. "Still, it's a severe test for any girl." Then she
laid her hand gently on his arm. "In the end, you won't regret the
course you mean to take. I have lived a long while and have lost many
pleasant illusions, but I believe that loyalty like yours has its
reward. I loved you for your mother's sake when you were a boy;
afterwards when things looked blackest I kept my faith in you, and now
I'm proud I did so."

Blake looked confused. "Confidence like yours is an embarrassing gift.
It makes one feel one must live up to it, and that isn't easy."

Mrs. Keith regarded him affectionately. "It's yours, Dick; given
without reserve. But I think there's nothing more to be said, and no
doubt you're anxious to get away. Besides, the Colonel will be
expecting you."

"He used to be seriously annoyed if he had to wait for dinner, and I've
been here some time," Blake answered, laughing, and went out to take
leave of Mrs. Foster.

CHAPTER XXIX

BLAKE HOLDS HIS GROUND

Dinner was finished at Sandymere, Miss Challoner had gone out, and, in
accordance with ancient custom, the cloth had been removed from the
great mahogany table. Its glistening surface was only broken by a
decanter, two choice wine-glasses, and a tall silver candlestick.
There were lamps in other parts of the room, but Challoner liked
candles. Lighting a cigar, Blake looked about while he braced himself
for the ordeal that must be faced.

He knew the big room well, but its air of solemnity, with which the
heavy Georgian furniture was in keeping, impressed him. The ceiling
had been decorated by a French artist of the eighteenth century and the
faded delicacy of the design, bearing as it did the stamp of its
period, helped to give the place a look of age. Challoner could trace
his descent much further than his house and furniture suggested, but
the family had first come to the front in the East India Company's
wars, and while maintaining its position afterwards had escaped the
modernizing influence of the country's awakening in the early Victorian
days. It seemed to Blake, fresh fr