ftening of the term to that of inquiry agent failed to restore her
equanimity. Now, indeed, there was nothing before her but confession,
for her whole nature revolted from the position of a "spy" in the
household. It required a strong effort to speak in a natural voice.

"Wouldn't it be better if you began at the beginning and told me the
whole story?"

"That's what I am trying to do, but it's so difficult... The Squire,
Mr Maplestone, is my uncle. He and his wife have been like parents to
me. I am in the army--Indian regiment--home on a year's leave. They
have no children, and I am their heir. Naturally, under the
circumstances, they are anxious that I should--er--"

"Marry!"

"Quite so. Well!" in a tone of aggrieved self-vindication, "I _mean_ to
marry. Every fellow does when he gets past thirty. I came home this
time with the determination to get engaged at the first opportunity,
but--er--the time has passed by, and--it hasn't come off. I've met lots
of girls, charming girls. I can't honestly say that I haven't had the
_opportunity_, but when it came to the point"--he shrugged again--"I
simply didn't want them, and that was the end of the matter. The
dickens of it is, my leave is up in two months from now, and the old man
is at the end of his patience. Last week he had an attack of gout, a
bad one too, and that brought matters to a crisis. He declared he'd cut
me off there and then if I did not get engaged at once. I was sorry for
the old fellow; he was in horrible pain; the doctor said he must be
soothed at all costs, so--er--er--on the spur of the moment I invented
Clare. I said I was engaged to Clare, but that Clare was afraid of the
Indian climate, and refused to marry me till the regiment returned home,
two years from now. I hardly realised what I was saying. I was between
the devil and the deep sea. But he swallowed it whole, went off to
sleep, and woke up as bright as a button. I was inclined to
congratulate myself on having done a clever thing, for as I told you, I
_intend_ to marry. I am only waiting for the right girl to turn up. I
may very likely meet her on the voyage out. Many men do. But,
retribution fell upon me. He demanded to see Clare. I prevaricated.
He grew suspicious. There was another scene, another relapse; it was a
case of confessing all, at goodness knows what risk, or of finding
Clare, and producing her for inspection. So--you see--"

Juliet sat silent; petr