.

"By reminding you of your duty to your country," he answered.
"Geraldine, dear, I did not expect to have to talk to you like this.
When I tell you that responsible people in the War Office, officials
whose profession it is to scent out treachery, have declared this young
man suspect, I am certainly disappointed to find you embracing his cause
so fervently. It is no personal matter. Believe, me," he added, after a
moment's pause, "whatever my personal bias may be, what I am saying to
you now is not actuated in the slightest by any feelings of jealousy.
I have told you what I know and it is for you to make your choice as to
how much or how little in the future you will see of this young man.
But I do forbid you, not in my own name but for our country's sake to
breathe a single word to him of what I have said to you."

"It comes to this, then," she said, "that you make accusations against a
man and deny him the right of being heard?"

"If you choose to put it like that, yes," he assented. "Only I fancied
that considering--considering the things between us, you might have
taken my word."

He leaned a little towards her. If she had been looking she could
scarcely have failed to have been touched by the sudden softness of his
dark eyes, the little note of appeal in his usually immobile face. Her
eyes, however, were fixed upon the diamond ring which sparkled upon her
third finger. Slowly she drew it off and handed it to him.

"Hugh," she said, "the things you speak of do not exist any more between
us. I am sorry, but I think you are narrow and suspicious. You have
your own work to do. It seems to me mean to spend your time suspecting
soldiers who have fought for their king and their country, of such a
despicable crime."

"Can't you trust me a little more than that, Geraldine?" he asked
wistfully.

"In what way?" she demanded. "I judge only by the facts, the things you
have said to me, your accusations against Captain Granet. Why should you
go out of your way to investigate cases of suspected espionage?"

"You cannot believe that I would do so unless I was convinced that it
was my duty?"

"I cannot see that it is your business at all," she told him shortly.

He rose from his place.

"I am very sorry, Geraldine," he said. "I will keep this ring. You are
quite free. But--look at me."

Against her will she was forced to do as he bade her. Her own attitude,
which had appeared to her so dignified and right, seemed