nd he was disarmed as against Mark by the evident pleasure the latter
took in his society, for the most objectionable persons become more
bearable when we discover that they have a high opinion of us--it is
such a redeeming touch in their nature. And besides, with all the
reason Caffyn had for cherishing a grudge against Mark, somehow, as
they became more intimate, he slid gradually into a half-contemptuous
and half-affectionate tolerance. He began to think that he would find
satisfaction in standing by and letting events work themselves out; he
would let this poor fellow enjoy his fool's paradise as long as might
be. No doubt, the luxury of secretively enjoying the situation had a
great deal to do with this generosity of his, but the fact remains
that, for some reason, he was passing from an enemy to a neutral, and
might on occasion even become an ally, if nothing occurred to fan his
hatred to flame in the meanwhile.

Towards the end of their tour, they arrived at Triberg late one
Saturday evening, and on the Sunday, Caffyn, having risen late and
finding that Mark had breakfasted and gone out alone, was climbing the
path by the waterfall, when, on one of the bridges which span the
cascade, he saw a girl's figure leaning listlessly over the rough
rail. It was Gilda Featherstone, and he thought he could detect an
additional tinge in her cheeks and a light in her eyes as he came
towards her. Her father and mother were in one of the shelters above,
and Mrs. Featherstone's greeting when she recognised him was the
reverse of cordial. This young man might not have followed them there,
but it looked extremely like it, and if she could not order him out of
the Black Forest as if she had taken it for the summer, she would at
least give him no encouragement to stay.

Unfortunately, her husband behaved with an irritating effusiveness; he
liked Caffyn, and besides, had not seen an Englishman to talk to
familiarly for some days. They were going home next day, he had better
come with them. Well, if he could not do that (Mrs. Featherstone
having interposed icily, 'Mr. Caffyn has just told you, Robert, that
he is with a friend!') he must come to them the moment he returned to
England, and they would give him some shooting. Mrs. Featherstone had
to hear this invitation and Caffyn's instant acceptance of it with
what philosophy she might. It was useless to remonstrate with her
husband on his blindness, he had democratic views which migh