, I
felt sure you'd put old Miss Crale on to another day. _She_ won't
mind----"

"No, Roddy, thank you. That's not fair on her. It can't be helped. You
go over with Nita."

Then there occurred between them one of those little situations that
were now so frequent. Rachel was hurt, but was determined to show
nothing; Roddy knew that she was hurt, but was quite unable to improve
relations, partly because he had no words, partly because "a feller
looks such a fool tryin' to explain," partly because there was in him a
quality of sullen obstinacy that was mingled, most strangely, with his
kindness and sentiment.

He was absolutely ready to fling Nita and the Rockingtons into limbo,
but he was quite unable to set about such a business.

Moreover now there was Nita Raseley--It was at this moment that Jacob,
having fought in the dark recesses of the sofa between his dislike of
Roddy and his love of tea, declared for his stomach and walked slowly,
and with the dignity required by the presence of an enemy, across the
room.

"Hullo! there's the mongrel--" Roddy endeavoured to cover earlier
awkwardness by easy laughter, but the laughter was not easy and his
attempt to pat Jacob was frustrated by a sidling movement on the dog's
part.

Then Nita Raseley laughed.

Roddy now thought that women were damnable, that his wife had no right
to drag a mongrel like that about with her, that he'd show them if they
laughed at him, and that if Rachel couldn't come to-morrow, why then,
she must just lump it--The last thought of all was that Rachel was
always finding a grievance in something.

He waited a little while, talked in a stiff and unnatural fashion and
then went.

"This weather _is_ very trying, dear, isn't it?" said Nita. "If I were
you I really would go and lie down. You do look _so_ seedy!"

"I think I will," said Rachel.

As she went slowly upstairs to her room she knew that she would answer
Francis Breton's letter.

CHAPTER III

FIRST SEQUEL TO DEFIANCE

"He began to love her so soon, as he perceived that she was
passing out of his control."

JANE AUSTEN.

I

Next morning Rachel wrote the following letter to Francis Breton:

"DEAR MR. BRETON,

It was good of you to write to me and I must apologize for
allowing your letter to remain so long unanswered, but, on my
return from abroad, there were naturally a great many things to
do and a great many people to see.