right was
very fond of you."

In a flash, Dalton's eyes seemed to dilate and then contract. "What
makes you think so?" he asked abruptly.

"I knew it--I felt it. She could not hide it from me."

"Did she ever say anything?" he asked with assumed indifference.

"Not in words--but when she spoke of you--oh, the light in her eyes, and
the changing colour!--perhaps I should not tell you this?--but
misunderstandings are wretched."

Her blue eyes apologised so prettily that he smiled with peculiar
radiance.

"You are a very good friend," he said with amused indulgence.

"Who wouldn't be that to a girl like Honor!"

"And if I tell you I appreciate that, you must forgive me if I would
rather not discuss Honor Bright any more. Are you very lonely now your
husband has left?"

"I shall be, after today!" she pouted in self-pity.

"Then I shall call round for you tomorrow afternoon and take you for a
spin?"

"I shall look forward to it. Will you teach me to drive?"

"With pleasure."

"How delightful of you!"

"The pleasure will be equally mine," he said quite charmingly for him;
and after further pleasantries rather foreign to his habit, he left her
and drove away.

CHAPTER XII

INFATUATION

Filled with the determination to set aside foolish jealousies and
cultivate a more generous trust in human nature, the Collector returned
to his administrative duties in camp which were designed to bring him
personally into contact with the villagers in his jurisdiction.

His bachelor experience of social life in the East had, unfortunately,
not helped to supply him with much confidence in his own sex. However,
men were not all ravening wolves let loose upon society, and it was an
undeniable fact that no man, however unprincipled, would dare to make
love to a married woman without her encouragement, or attempt to seduce
her from her lawful allegiance without her co-operation. And Joyce was
incorruptible because of her love for her child.

Yet there were times when Meredith's heart yearned wistfully for his
beloved wife, and for the power of second sight that he might see how
things were going in his absence; and since he was denied that faculty,
it was not a little comfort to him to know that Honor Bright was in
intimate companionship with Joyce. He liked to think of her influence
exerted to assist the development of the childlike mind; for Honor
Bright was "one of the best," and would some day make some lucky f