tes and
marked the distances, and then went back to Whitelees, feeling
strangely troubled. His doubts had not vanished; they had changed to
certainties.

Dick was young and often careless, but now a sense of responsibility
weighed upon him. He had a liking for Jim and an affection for Carrie
that might have ripened to a stronger feeling had she allowed it, and
both had run some risk of being drowned. For all that, Dick could not
see his way. The honor of the house must be guarded, and although he
knew himself a coward he hesitated for a miserable week.

Then Jim came to Whitelees one evening when Mrs. Halliday and Dick were
dining somewhere else. He stopped for two or three hours, and
unluckily Evelyn was bored when he arrived and Jim was dull. He had
had a disappointing day, for a sluice-gate had fallen down, a workman
had got hurt, and a valuable horse had broken its leg. Jim talked
about his troubles at some length while Evelyn tried to look
sympathetic, and afterwards stated, with numerous particulars, his
projects for improving the estate, although he carefully explained that
his losing his money might prevent their being carried out. While he
sketched his plans he unconsciously delineated his character, and when
he went away Evelyn felt daunted.

Pulling a chair to the fire, she sat for a time trying to face a crisis
she had begun to fear must come. She had thought she understood Jim
and had known that when she married him she must give up much; but now
she saw him as he really was. He cared nothing for amusements and not
much for music and art; in fact, he had no use for the refinements and
amenities that smoothed the life she enjoyed. Langrigg could not be
made a center of pleasant social intercourse and perhaps political
influence; Jim's wife must study economy and help to manage his farms.
It was not that he was selfish. All his habits were utilitarian and he
would not change. Well, she could not marry a farmer and devote
herself to strenuous work. She must be amused; the life Jim had
planned for her was frankly impossible. Getting up before Mrs.
Halliday returned, she left word that she had a headache and went to
bed.

Next morning Mordaunt came to Whitelees and found Evelyn alone. He sat
down opposite with a careless smile and she noted his smooth urbanity
and easy pose. Jim as a rule was restless, and highly-strung.

"Seeing Dick and your mother in the car encouraged me to call," he