But even then a normally tactful man still held on.
Never was anything more maladroit. It was the stupidity of a clever
fellow, deluding himself with the notion that having refused the
role of lover, he could at least play that of guardian and adviser;
whose conscience, moreover, was so absolutely clear on the subject
of Elizabeth Bremerton that he did not even begin to suspect what
was rankling In the girl's morbid sense.
The relation between them accordingly went from bad to worse; and
when Pamela rose and sharply put an end to their private
conversation, the evening would have practically ended in a quarrel
but for some final saving instinct on Chicksands' part, which made
him mention Desmond as he bade her good-night.
'I could tell you where he is,' he said gravely. 'Only I mustn't. I
had a note from him yesterday--the dear old boy! He wrote in the
highest spirits. His colonel was "ripping," and his men, of course,
the best in the whole battery.'
'If you get any news--ever--before we do,' said Pamela, suddenly
choking, 'you'll tell us at once?'
'Trust me.
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