in an open wound.
Lenox was blest, or curst, with that most pitiless of mentors, a Scotch
conscience. Whatever Quita's failings, or her attitude to himself,
there could be no shelving the fact that he was her husband:--the
guardian of her good name, the one man on earth who could claim the
right to criticise her conduct. Her probable repudiation both of his
criticism, and his right to offer it, did not, in his view, justify him
in standing aloof, if need for speech should arise. Possibly passion,
smouldering at the heart of duty, urged him towards the desperate
experiment. But if so, he would not admit it, even to himself. He
merely decided--with an access of fastidious disgust at the whole
situation--to accept this fate-sent opportunity for judging how far her
behaviour warranted Colonel Mayhew's kindly concern. For he knew
enough of Garth and his methods to feel certain that, in his case, to
covet an invitation was to procure it.

After all, he reflected bitterly, a closer acquaintance with facts
might cure him of an infatuation against which pride and inherited
instinct had rebelled ill vain: and so intricate are the mazes of
self-deception, that he firmly believed in his own desire to be cured.

It was, no doubt, solely in pursuance of this purpose that, a few days
later, he added his initials, with a wry face of resignation, to a
subscription list, proposing that the bachelors of the station should
give a ball on the third of June. He had not seen the inside of a
ballroom for years: but since the season seemed marked for strange
experiences, this one might as well be included with the rest. And in
the meantime, this inconsistent misogynist slept little, smoked
inordinately, and spent the greater part of his leisure at Terah
Cottage. Perhaps this also was part of the cure!

Desmond noted the fact, not without an occasional spark of annoyance.
For all his magnanimity, the man was masculine to the core;
hot-blooded, and still very much a lover at heart. But pride and a
boundless trust in the woman he had won had withheld him as yet from
serious comment.

Lenox dined with them on the night of the dance; and came armed with
programmes, at Honor's request.

"Are you going to give me my share before we start?" he asked, as they
shook hands.

"If I do, will you try to dance?"

He laughed abruptly. "Not I. It would be a sight to make angels weep!
I shall take you right away from the whole thing, and ta