ce.
Anything we tacitly promise, the others will agree to, and I feel the
responsibility of deciding for Silverdale."

Miss Barrington went out; but her niece, who understood her smile and
that she had received a warning, sat still with a strained expression
in her eyes. The prosperity of Silverdale had been dear to her, but
she knew she must let something that was dearer still slip away from
her, or, since they must come from her, trample on her pride as she
made the first advances. It seemed a very long while before there was
a knocking at the outer door, and she rose with a little quiver when
light steps came up the stairway.

In the meanwhile two men stood beside the stove in the hall until an
English maid returned to them.

"Colonel Barrington is away, but Miss Barrington, and Miss Maud are at
home," she said. "Will you go forward into the morning-room when you
have taken off your furs?"

"Did you know Barrington was not here?" asked Winston, when the maid
moved away.

Dane appeared embarrassed. "The fact is, I did."

"Then," said Winston dryly, "I am a little astonished you did not think
fit to tell me."

Dane's face flushed, but he laid his hand on his comrade's arm. "No,"
he said, "I didn't. Now, listen to me for the last time, Winston.
I've not been blind, you see, and, as I told you, your comrades have
decided that they wish you to stay. Can't you sink your confounded
pride, and take what is offered you?"

Winston shook his grasp off, and there was weariness in his face. "You
need not go through it all again. I made my decision a long while ago."

"Well," said Dane, with a gesture of hopelessness, "I've done all I
could, and, since you are going on, I'll look at that trace clip while
you tell Miss Barrington. I mean the younger one."

"The harness can wait," said Winston. "You are coming with me."

A little grim smile crept into Dane's eyes. "I am not. I wouldn't
raise a finger to help you now," he said, and retreated hastily.

It was five minutes later when Winston walked quietly into Maud
Barrington's presence, and sat down when the girl signed to him. He
wondered if she guessed how his heart was beating.

"It is very good of you to receive me, but I felt I could not slip away
without acknowledging the kindness you and Miss Barrington have shown
me," he said. "I did not know Colonel Barrington was away."

The girl smiled a little. "Or you would not have come? Then we should