on failed to find; and the Lord
knows he didn't judge them from hearsay!"

The sincerity underlying his bluntness brought the blood to Honor's
cheeks. "Theo has simply found--a woman who loves him," she answered
softly. "A discovery most men can make if they choose; even rank
heretics like you! Will you forgive me, I wonder, if I say that I
believe the thing you really need, though you may not guess it,
is . . . a woman in your life?"

Lenox did not answer: and they walked on for a time in silence.

"Have I vexed you?" Honor asked at length.

"No. You touched an exposed nerve. That was all. And I should like
you to know the truth now; or at least part of it.--Five years ago I
did take . . . a woman into my life, as you put it; and I have never
known real peace or comfort since."

Honor started, and turned upon him a face of incredulity.

"Captain Lenox! Do you mean--have you actually--been married?"

"I actually am married, in the eyes of the law, at least. What's more,
my wife is here, in Dalhousie, in that cursed ballroom,--with neither
my name nor my ring to protect her--playing the fool for the amusement
or perdition of another chap. You spoke of her a minute ago. I need
hardly say more, need I?"

"No, no. I understand it all now," she murmured, deeply moved. "Then
that was why you wanted to go away last month?"

"Yes."

"And I stupidly made things harder, in my blind zeal to help you?"

"No, indeed. You simply convinced me, without suspecting it, that it
would be cowardly to bolt at sight. Besides, it would have amounted to
an open confession that--one cared."

"And don't you--care?"

Lenox clenched his teeth upon an inarticulate sound; and his amber
mouthpiece snapped like a stick of sealing-wax. He took the pipe from
his mouth; eyed it ruefully, and slipped it into his breast-pocket.

"A good friend gone," he muttered. "And all on account of a woman who
doesn't care a snap of the fingers whether one is alive or dead."

"In my opinion that remains to be proved."

"Does it? Isn't her conduct with that confounded ladykiller proof
enough to convince you?"

"No."

"Well, then, look here. Ten minutes ago I went so far as to ask her
for a dance. She gave me the snub direct: and she'll not get a chance
to refuse another request of mine--that's certain."

Honor's lips lifted at the corners.

"I wonder what tone of voice you asked her in?" was all she said.

"Quite the wrong on