to
grasp the truth, and kept asking her repeatedly for assurances.

The heat of the sun's rays now penetrating their shadowed retreat and
striking down upon her bared head, awakened Honor to a sense of time and
the realisation that it was midday.

"When shall I hold you in my arms again?" he asked before finally
releasing her.

"The question is, where?--if it is to be kept a secret between us,
only?" she asked wistfully, compunction already pulling at her
conscience. Secrecy savoured of intrigue, and all things underhand were
abominable to her.

"I am so glad my bungalow is so near to yours--only the two gardens and
a hedge between! I might almost signal to you to meet me somewhere?" he
said hesitatingly as though expecting a rebuke.

"No, Brian. I'll have nothing to do with signalling," she said
definitely. "We'll meet every day at the Club if you like, and leave the
rest to chance."

"I could not build my hopes on chance. It would drive me crazy, as I am
not a patient man. Can't I see you alone--say in the lane--after
dinner?"

"No." She shook her head decidedly. "I couldn't do things by stealth! I
cannot deceive--it's no use expecting it of me!"

"I knew that; and it's that which I worship in you! But I am an exacting
and selfish brute. Well!--I'll not complain, Sweetheart!" He released
her, still with the gloom of a profound sadness in his eyes, and,
together, they walked back to find his car.

CHAPTER XVIII

SECRET JOYS

Honor seemed to walk on air all day. The whole world had changed for her
in a twinkling, and her heart sang for very joy at being alive. God had
answered her appeal and had given her the love of this lonely man whose
soul was sick and wanted tender nursing back to health. Henceforward it
would be her privilege to restore to him his lost ideals and revive his
faith in God and human nature. Her belief in the power of truth and love
being securely established, she had no fears for a future spent with
Brian Dalton, for all his failures and misdeeds.

Her only regret was, having to keep her happiness to herself for the
present, when she longed to share it with her mother: and to atone for
her enforced reserve, she tried to be more than ever attentive and
considerate to her while she looked forward to the time, not far
distant, when she would obtain her forgiveness and blessing.

Captain Dalton's professional duties kept him engaged till dusk, when,
much to the surprise of the m