nd his eyes had a singular feverish brilliancy, in keeping
with the hectic flush on his cheek. He had dismissed the subject of
his illness almost immediately, and Christine's adaptable nature had
instantly responded to his mood.

He asked her questions about the country-side, of their neighbours,
of the way they lived, all in an easy, unintrusive way, winning her
confidence and provoking her candour.

Two or three times, however, her face suddenly flushed with the memory
of the scene in the Manor, and her first real awakening to her social
insufficiency; for she of all the family had been least careful to see
herself as others might see her. She was vain; she was somewhat of a
barbarian; she loved nobody and nobody's opinion as she loved herself
and her own opinion. Though, if any people really cared for her, and she
for them, they were the Regimental Surgeon and Shangois the notary.

Once, as they walked on, she turned and looked back at the Manor House,
but only for an instant. He caught the glance, and said:

"You'll like to live there, won't you?"

"I don't know," she answered almost sharply. "But if the Casimbaults
liked it, I don't see why we shouldn't."

There was a challenge in her voice, defiance in the little toss of her
head. He liked her spirit in spite of the vanity. Her vanity did not
concern him greatly; for, after all, what was he doing here? Merely
filling in dark days, living a sober-coloured game out. He had one
solitary hundred dollars--no more; and half of that he had borrowed, and
half of it he got from selling his shooting-traps and his hunting-watch.
He might worry along on that till the end of the game; but he had no
money to send his sister in that secluded village two hundred miles
away. She had never known how really poor he was; and she had lived in
her simple way without want and without any unusual anxiety, save for
his health. More than once he had practically starved himself to send
money to her. Perhaps also he would have starved others for the same
purpose.

"I'll warrant the Casimbaults never enjoyed the Manor as much as I've
done that big kitchen in your house," he said, "and I can't see why you
want to leave it. Don't you feel sorry you are going to leave the old
place? Hadn't you got your own little spots there, and made friends with
them? I feel as if I should like to sit down by the side of your
big, warm chimney-corner, till the wind came along that blows out the
candle.