behind the
scenes. None but those who have tried it can appreciate the delight of
finding, in a manner that the uninitiate call cold and repellent, an
ever-ready loving caress. But in Royston's case there was no acting: it
was only that he allowed Cecil to see one phase of hid character that
was seldom displayed.

The subordinates in the drama betrayed much more outward concern and
disquietude than the principals. When Fanny Molyneux found that Royston
did not intend to evacuate his position, she tried the effect of a
vigorous remonstrance on her friend. The latter heard her patiently, but
quite impassively, declining to admit any probability of danger or
necessity to caution. _La mignonne_ was not convinced, but she yielded.
She wound her arm round Cecil's waist, as they sat and whispered,
nestling close to her side--"Dearest, remember this: if any thing should
happen, I shall always think that some blame belongs to me, and I will
never give you up--never."

The Tresilyan bent her beautiful swan-neck, as though she were caressing
a dove nestling in her bosom, and pressed her lips on her companion's
cheek long and tenderly.

"I could not do _that_," she said, "if I were guilty."

Neither had Harry refrained from lifting up his testimony against what
he saw and suspected. The major would take more from him than from any
man alive; he was not at all incensed at the interference.

"My dear Hal," he said, "don't make an old woman of yourself by giving
credit to scandal, or inventing it for yourself. If you choose to be
worried before your time, I can't help it; but it is more than
unnecessary. Una can take care of herself perfectly well, without your
playing the lion. Besides--what is the brother there for? You know there
are some subjects I never talk about to you, and you don't deserve that
I should be communicative now. But listen--you shall not think of Cecil
worse than she is: up to this time, I swear, even her lips are pure from
me. Now I hope you are satisfied; you have made me break my rule, for
once; drop the subject, in the devil's name."

Though fully aware of his friend's unscrupulous character, Harry was
satisfied that nothing _very_ wrong had occurred so far. Royston never
lied.

"I'm glad that you can say so much," he replied; "the worst of it is,
people will talk. I wonder that obnoxious parson has not made himself
more disagreeable already. I didn't go to church last Sunday afternoon,
because I fel