I heard today that he is
coming down to Marut on leave."
"Oh--?"
"He was Lois' old playfellow," Travers added pointedly.
"And so you are afraid of him?"
"All women adore heroes of that type," he remarked without mockery or
bitterness, "and when Nicholson appears I have a fair idea that Stafford
and I will have to be content with the back seats in Lois' affections. You
see, they were great friends, and moreover the Carmichaels have their
matrimonial eye on him. So it's now or never as far as I am concerned."
"And Stafford--?"
He looked down at her with a jolly laugh.
"He must find consolation elsewhere. I thought he would do for you, Miss
Cary."
"Thanks!"
"Don't be ungrateful. Rich, good position, good family, worthy character,
a trifle slow, not to say stupid--what more do you want?"
"You talk as though--"
"--As though he were being given away with a pound of tea? Well, so he is
to all intents and purposes. One can do anything with an honest,
pig-headed man like that if only one takes him the right way. He would
suit you clear down to the ground, and if you will help me I will help
you. Is that a bargain?"
They were now in sight of their destination, and he pulled his horse into
a walk.
"Well, what do you say, Miss Cary?"
He tried to look into her face, but it was turned resolutely away, and all
he could see was a grave profile which might have belonged to a much older
woman.
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