CHAPTERXXVI
Philippa，latethatafternoon，foundwhatshesought-solitude。
ShehadwalkedalongthesandsuntilDreymarshlayoutofsightontheothersideofaspurofthecliffs。Beforeherstretchedalongandlevelplain，afringeofsand，andabeltofshinglybeach。Therewasnotasignofanyhumanbeinginsight，andofbuildingsonlyaquainttoweronthefarhorizon。
Shefoundadryplaceonthepebbles，removedherhatandsatdown，herhandsclaspedaroundherknees，hereyesturnedseaward。Shehadcomeoutheretothink，butitwasoddhowfugitiveandtransientherthoughtsbecame。Herhusbandwasalwaysthereinthebackground，butinthosemomentsitwasLessinghamwhowasthepredominantfigure。Sherememberedhisearnestness，histendersolicitudeforher，thecouragewhich，whennecessitydemanded，hadflamedupinhim，abornandnaturalquality。Sherememberedtheagonyofthosefewminutesontheprecedingday，whennothingbutwhatstillseemedamiraclehadsavedhim。Atonemomentshefeltherselfinclinedtopraythathemightnevercomeback。Atanother，herheartachedtoseehimoncemore。Sheknewsowellthatifhecameitwouldbeforhersake，thathewouldcometoaskherfinallythequestionwithwhichshehadfenced。Sheknew，too，thathiscomingwouldbethemomentofherlife。Shewassomuchofawoman，andthepassionatecravingofhersextogiveloveforlovewasthereinherheart，almostomnipotent。Andinthebackgroundtherewasthatbitterdesiretobringsufferinguponthemanwhohadtreatedherlikeachild，whohadplacedherinafalsepositionwithallotherwomen，whohaddawdledandidledawayhisdays，heedlessofhisduty，heedlessofeveryseriousobligation。Whenshetriedtoreason，herwayseemedsoclear，andyet，behinditall，therewasthatcoldimpulseofalmostVictorianprudishness，theinheritanceofalonglineofvirtuouswomen，aprudishnesswhichshehadonce，whenshehadbelievedthatitwaspartofhersecondnature，scoffedatasbeingtheoutcomeofoneofthefinerformsofselfishness。
Shetoldherselfthatshehadcometheretodecide，anddecisioncamenonearertoher。Alateafternoonstarshoneweaklyinthesky。Afaint，vaporousmistobscuredthehorizonandfloatedintangledwreathsuponthefaceofthesea。Onlythatlineofsandseemedstillclear-cutanddistinct，andassheglancedalongithereyeswereheldbysomethingapproaching，somethingwhichseemedatfirstnothingbutablack，movingspeck，thengraduallyresolveditselfintothesemblanceofamanonhorseback，gallopingfuriously。Shewatchedhimashedrewnearerandnearer，thesandflyingfromhishorse’shoofs，hisfiguremotionless，hiseyesapparentlyfixeduponsomedistantspot。Itwasnotuntilhehadcomewithinfiftyyardsofherthatsherecognisedhim。Hishorseshiedatthesightofherandwassuddenlyswungroundwithapowerfulwrist。Littlespecksofsand，churnedupinthemomentarystampedeofhoofs，felluponherskirt。Fortherest，shewatchedthestrugglecomposedly，astrugglewhichwasoveralmostassoonasitwasbegun。CaptainGriffithsleaneddownfromhistremblingbutsubduedhorse。
\"LadyCranston！\"heexclaimedinastonishment。
\"That’sme，\"shereplied，smilingupathim。\"Haveyoubeenridingoffyourbadtemper？\"
Heglanceddownathishorse’squiveringsides。Backasfarasonecouldseetherewasthatregularlineofhoofmarks。
\"AmIbad-tempered？\"heasked。
\"Well，\"sheobserved，\"Idon’tknowyouwellenoughtoanswerthatquestion。Iwassimplythinkingofyesterdayevening。\"
Heslippedfromhishorseandstoodbeforeher。Hislong，severefacehadseldomseemedmoremalevolent。
\"Ihadenoughtomakemebad-tempered，\"hedeclared。\"IhadtrackeddownaGermanspy，stepbystep，untilIhadhimthere，waitingforarrest-expectingit，even-andthenIgotthatwickedmessage。\"
\"Whatwasthatwickedmessageafterall？\"sheenquired。
\"Thatdoesn’tmatter，\"heanswered。\"Itwasfromaquarterwheretheyoughttoknowbetter，anditorderedmetomakenoarrest。I
havesenttotheWarOfficeto-dayafullreport，andIamprayingthattheymaychangetheirminds。\"
Philippasighed。
\"Ifyouhadn’treceivedthattelegramlastnight，\"sheobserved，\"itseemstomethatIshouldhavebeenawidowto-day。\"
Hefrowned，andstruckhisbootheavilywithhisridingwhip。
\"Yes，Iheardofthat，\"headmitted。\"Idaresayifhehadn’tgone，though，someoneelsewould。\"
\"Wouldyouhavegoneifyouhadbeenthere？\"sheasked。
\"Ifyouhadtoldmeto，\"hereplied，lookingathersteadfastly。
Philippafeltalittleshiver。Therewassomethingominousintheintensityofhisgazeandthemeaningwhichhehadcontrivedtoimparttohistone。Sherosetoherfeet。
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"don’tletmekeepyouhere。Iamgettingcold。\"
Hepassedhisarmthroughthebridleofhishorse。\"Iwillwalkwithyou，ifImay，\"heproposed。Shemadenoreply，andtheysettheirfaceshomewards。
\"IhearLessinghamhaslefttheplace，\"heremarked，alittleabruptly。
\"Oh，Iexpecthe’llcomeback，\"Philippareplied。
\"Howlongisit，LadyCranston，sinceyoutooktoconsortingwithGermanspies？\"heasked。
\"Don’tbefoolish-orimpertinent，\"sheenjoined。\"YouaremakingaridiculousmistakeaboutMr。Lessingham。\"
Helaughedunpleasantly。
\"Noneedforustofence，\"hesaid。\"YouandIknowwhoheis。
WhatIdowanttoknow，whatIhavebeenwonderingallthewayfromthepointthere-fourmilesofhardgallopingandonequestion-
whyareyouhisfriend？Whatishetoyou？\"
\"Really，CaptainGriffiths，\"sheprotested，lookingupathim，\"ofwhatpossibleinterestcanthatbetoyou？\"
\"Well，itis，anyhow，\"heansweredgruffly。\"Anythingthatconcernsyouisofinteresttome。\"
Philipparealisedatthatmoment，perhapsforthefirsttime，whatitallmeant。Sherealisedthesignificanceofthoseapparentlypurposelessafternooncalls，whenthroughsheerboredomshehadhadtosendforHelentohelpherout；thesignificanceofthoselongsilences，themelancholyeyeswhichseemedtofollowhermovements。
Shefeltanunaccountabledesiretolaugh，andthen，atthefirsttwitchingsofherlips，sherestrainedherself。Sheknewthattragedywasstalkingbyherside。
\"Ithink，CaptainGriffiths，\"shesaidgravely，\"thatyouaretalkingnonsense，andyouarenotaverygoodhandatit。Won’tyoupleaserideon？\"
Hemadenomovementtomounthishorse。Heploddedalongthesoftsandbyherside-aqueer，elongatedfigure，hisgloomyeyesfixedupontheground。
\"UntilthisfellowLessinghamcameyouwereneversohard，\"hepersisted。
Shelookedathimwithgenuinecuriosity。
\"Iwasneversohard？\"sherepeated。\"DoyouimaginethatIhaveeverforasinglemomentconsideredmydemeanourtowardsyou-youofallpersonsintheworld？Isimplydon’trememberwhenyouhavebeenthereandwhenyouhaven’t。Idon’trememberthehumoursinwhichIhavebeenwhenwehaveconversed。Allthatyouhavesaidseemstometobethemostarrantnonsense。\"
Heswunghimselfintothesaddleandgatheredupthereins。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaidbitterly，\"Iunderstand。Onlyletmetellyouthis，\"hewenton，hiswhippoisedinhishand。\"Youmayhavepowerfulfriendswhosavedyour-\"
Hehesitatedsolongthatsheglancedupathimandreadallthathehadwishedtosayinhisface。
\"Mywhat？\"sheasked。
Hiscouragefailedhim。
\"Mr。Lessingham，\"heproceeded，\"fromarrest。ButifheshowshisfacehereagaininDreymarsh，Isha’n’tstoptoarresthim。Ishallshoothimonsightandchancetheconsequences。\"
\"They’llhangyou！\"shedeclaredsavagely。
Helaughedather。
\"HangmeforshootingamanwhomIcanprovetobeaGermanspy？
Theywon’tdare！Theywon’tevendaretoplacemeunderarrestforanhour。Why，whenthetruthbecomesknown，\"hewenton，hisvoicegainingcourageasthejusticeofhiscaseimpresseditselfuponhim，\"whatdoyousupposeisgoingtohappentotwowomenwhotookthisfellowinandbefriendedhim，introducedhimunderafalsenametotheirfriends，gavehimtherunoftheirhouse-thismanwhomtheyknewallthetimewasaGerman？You，LadyCranston，chafingandscoldingyourhusbandbynightandbydaybecauseheisn’twhereyouthinkheoughttobe；you，sopatrioticthatyoucannotbearthesightofhimoutofuniform；you-thehostess，thebefriender，theGodknowswhatofBertramMaderstrom！Itwillbeaprettytalewhenit’salltold！\"
\"Ireallythink，\"Philippaassertedcalmly，\"thatyouarethemostutterlyimpossibleandobnoxiouscreatureIhaveevermet。\"
Hisfacewasdangerousforamoment。TheyhadnotyetreachedthepromontorywhichshelteredthemfromDreymarsh。
\"Perhaps，\"hemuttered，leaningmalignlytowardsher，\"Icouldmakemyselfevenmoreobnoxious。\"
\"Quitepossibly，\"shereplied，\"onlyIwanttotellyouthis。Ifyoucomeasingleinchnearertome，oneofthemshallshootyou。\"
\"Yourfriendoryourhusband，eh？\"hescoffed。
Shewavedhimon。
\"Ithink，\"shetoldhim，\"thateitherofthemwouldbequitecapableofriddingtheworldofacowardlikeyou。\"
\"Acoward？\"herepeated。
\"Precisely！Isn’titacoward’sparttoterroriseawoman？\"
\"Idon’twanttoterroriseyou，\"hesaidsulkily。
\"Well，youmustadmitthatyouhaven’tshownanyparticulardesiretomakeyourselfagreeable，\"shepointedout。
Heturnedsuddenlyuponher。
\"Iamafool，Iknow，\"hedeclaredbitterly。\"I’manawkward，nervous，miserablefool，myownworstenemyastheysayofmeintheMess，turningthepeopleagainstmeIwanttohavelikeme，stumblingintoeveryblunderafoolcan。I’mthesortofmanwomenmakesportof，andyou’vedoneitforthemcruelly，perfectly。\"
\"CaptainGriffiths！\"sheprotested。\"WhenhaveIeverbeenanythingbutkindandcourteoustoyou？\"
\"Itisn’tyourkindnessIwant，noryourcourtesy！There’sacurseuponmytongue，\"hewentondesperately。\"I’mnotlikeothermen。
Idon’tknowhowtosaywhatIfeel。Ican’tputitintowords。
Everyonemisunderstandsme。You，too！HereIrodeuptoyouthisafternoonandmyheartwasbeatingforjoy，andinfiveminutesI
hadmadeanenemyofyou。DamnthatfellowLessingham！Itisallhisfault！\"
Withouttheslightestwarninghebroughtdownhishuntingcropuponhishorse’sflanks。Themaregaveonegreatplunge，andhewasoff，ridingatafuriousgallop。Philippawatchedhimwithimmenserelief，Inthefardistanceshecouldseetwolittlespecksgrowinglargerandlarger。Shehurriedontowardsthem。
\"WhateverdidyoudotoCaptainGriffiths，Mummy？Norademanded。
\"Whyhepasseduswithoutlookingdown，gallopinglikeamadman，andhisfacelooked-well，whatdiditlooklike，Helen？\"
Helenwasgazinguneasilyalongthesands。
\"Likeamanridingforhisenemy，\"shedeclared。
CHAPTERXXVII
PhilippaandHelenlookedatoneanotheralittledolefullyacrosstheluncheontable。
\"Isupposesonemissesthechild，\"Helensaid。
\"Ifeeltoodepressedforwords，\"Philippaadmitted。
\"Afewdaysago，\"Helenremindedhercompanion，\"weweregettingalltheexcitementthatwasgoodforanyone。\"
\"Andalittlemore，\"Philippaagreed。\"Idon’tknowwhythingsseemsoflatnow。Wereallyoughttobegladthatnothingterriblehashappened。\"
\"WhatwithHenryandMr。Lessinghambothaway，\"Helencontinued，\"andCaptainGriffithsnotcomingneartheplace，wereallyhaverevertedtothenormal，haven’twe？Iwonder-ifMr。Lessinghamhasgoneback。\"
\"Idonotthinkso，\"Philippamurmured。
Helenfrownedslightly。
\"Personally，\"shesaid，withsomeemphasis，\"Ihopethathehas。\"
\"Ifweareconsideringthepersonalpointofviewonly，\"Philipparetorted，\"Ihopethathehasnot。\"
Helenlookedherdisapproval。
\"Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouhadhadenoughplayingwithfire，\"
sheobserved。
\"Oneneverhasuntilonehasburnedone’sfingers，\"Philippasighed。
\"Iknowperfectlywellwhatisthematterwithyou，\"shecontinuedseverely。\"YouarefrettingbecausecurriedchickenisDick’sfavouritedish。\"
\"Iamnotsuchababy，\"Helenprotested。\"Allthesame，itdoesmakeonethink。Iwonder-\"
\"Iknowexactlywhatyouweregoingtosay，\"Philippainterrupted。
\"YouweregoingtosaythatyouwonderedwhetherMr。Lessinghamwouldkeephispromise。\"
\"Whetherhewouldbeableto，\"Helencorrected。\"Itdoesseemsoimpossible，doesn’tit？\"
\"SodoesMr。Lessinghamhimself，\"Philipparemindedher。\"Itisn’texactlyausualthing，isit，tohaveaperfectlycharmingandwell-bredyoungmanstepoutofaZeppelinintoyourdrawing-room。\"
\"Youreallybelieve，then，\"Helenaskedeagerly，\"thathewillbeabletokeephispromise？\"
Philippanoddedconfidently。
\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，\"IbelievethatMr。Lessingham，bysomemeansoranother，wouldkeepanypromiseheevermade。IamexpectingtoseeDickatanymomentnow，soyoucangetonwithyourlunch，dear，andnotsitlookingatthecurrywithtearsinyoureyes。\"
\"Itisn’tthecurrysomuchasthechutney，\"Helenprotestedfaintly。
\"Heneverwouldtouchanyothersort。\"
\"Well，Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhewereheretofinishthebottle，\"Philippadeclared。\"Ihaveafeelingthismorningthatsomethingisgoingtohappen。\"
\"HowlonghasNoragoneawayfor？\"Helenenquired，afteramoment’spause。
\"Afortnightorthreeweeks，\"Philippaanswered。\"HergrandmotherwiredthatshewouldbegladtohaveheruntilChristmas。\"
\"Justwhy，\"Helenaskedseriously，\"haveyousentheraway？\"
Philippatoyedwithhercurry，andglancedaroundasthoughsheregrettedMills’absencefromtheroom。
\"Ithoughtitbest，\"shesaidquietly。\"Yousee，Iamnotquitesurewhattheimmediatefutureofthismenageisgoingtobe。\"
Helenleanedacrossthetableandlaidherhanduponherfriend’s。
\"Dear，\"shesighed，\"itworriesmesotohearyoutalklikethat。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseyouknowperfectlywell，althoughyouprofesstoignoreit，thatatthebottomofyourheartthereisnooneelsebutHenry。
Itisn’tfair，youknow。\"
\"Towhomisn’titfair？\"Philippademanded。
\"ToMr。Lessingham。\"
Philippawasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
\"Perhaps，\"sheadmitted，\"thatisapointofviewwhichIhavenotsufficientlyconsidered。\"
Helenpressedhomeheradvantage。
\"Idon’tthinkyourealise，Philippa，\"shesaid，\"howmadlyinlovewithyouthemanis。Inaperfectlyingenuousway，too。Noonecouldhelpseeingit。\"
\"Thenwheredoestheunfairnesscomein？\"Philippaasked。\"Itiswithinmypowertogivehimallthathewants。\"
\"Butyouwouldn’tdoit，Philippa。Youknowthatyouwouldn’t！\"
Helenobjected。\"Youmayplaywiththeideainyourmind，butthat’sjustasfarasyou’deverget。\"
Philippalookedherfriendsteadilyintheface。\"Idisagreewithyou，Helen，\"shesaid。Helensetdowntheglasswhichshehadbeenintheactofraisingtoherlips。Itwasherfirstreallyseriousintimationofthetragedywhichhoveredoverherfuturesister-in-law’slife。Somehoworother，Philippahadseemed，eventoher，sofarremovedfromthatstrenuousworldofover-drugged，over-excitedfemininedecadence，towhomthechangingofahusbandoraloverismerelyanincidentintheday’sexcitements。
Philippa，withherfrailandalmostflowerlikebeauty，herloveofthewholesomewaysoflife，andherstrongaffections，representedotherthings。Now，forthefirsttime，Helenwasreallyafraid，afraidforherfriend。
\"Butyoucouldn’tever-youwouldn’tleaveHenry！\"
Philippaseemedtofindnothingmonstrousintheidea。
\"ThatisjustwhatIamseriouslythinkingofdoing，\"sheconfided。
Helenaffectedtolaugh，buthermirthwasobviouslyforced。TheirconversationceasedperforcewiththereturnofMillsintotheroom。
Thenthewonderfulthinghappened。Thewindowsofthediningroomfacedthedrivetothehouseandbothwomencouldclearlyseeamotorcarturninatthegateandstopatthefrontdoor。Itwasobviouslyahiredcar，asthedriverwasnotinlivery，butthetall，mulled-upfigureinunfamiliarclotheswhooccupiedthefrontseatwasforthemomentamysterytothem。OnlyHelenseemedtohavesomewonderfulpremonitionofthetruth，apremonitionwhichshewasafraidtoadmiteventoherself。Herhandbegantoshake。
Philippalookedatherinamazement。
\"Youlookasthoughyouhadseenaghost，Helen！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Whoonearthcanitbe，comingatthistimeoftheday？\"
Helenwasspeechless，andPhilippadivinedatoncethecauseofheragitation。Shesprangtoherfeet。
\"Helen，youdon’timagine-\"shegasped。\"Listen！\"
Therewasavoiceinthehail-afamiliarvoice，thoughstrainedalittleandhoarse；Mills’decorousgreetings，agitatedbutfervent。
Andthen-MajorRichardFelstead！
\"Dick！\"Helenscreamed，asshethrewherselfintohisarms。\"Oh，Dick！Dick！\"
Itwasanincoherent，breathlessmoment。Somehoworother，Philippafoundherselfsharingherbrother’sembrace。ThenthefireofquestionsandanswerswaspresentlyinterruptedbyMills，triumphantlybearinginafreshdishofcurry。
\"WhatwilltheMajortaketodrink，yourladyship？\"heasked。
Felsteadlaughedalittlechokingly。
\"Uponmyword，there’ssomethingwonderfullysoundaboutMills！\"
hesaid。\"It’saghoulishthingtoaskforinthemiddleoftheday，isn’tit，Philippa，butcanIhavesomechampagne？\"
\"Youcanhavethewholecellarful，\"Philippaassuredhimjoyously。
\"Besureyoubringthebest，Mills。\"
\"ThePerrierJonet1904，yourladyship，\"wasthemurmuredreply。
Mills’disappearancewasverybrief，andinaveryfewmomentstheyfoundthemselvesseatedoncemoreatthetable。Theysatoneoneithersideofhim，watchinghisglassandhisplate。Bydegreestheirquestionsandhisanswersbecamemoreintelligible。
\"Whendidyougethere？\"theywantedtoknow。
\"IarrivedinHarwichaboutdaylightthismorning，\"hetoldthem；
\"cameacrossfromHolland。Ihiredacaranddrovestraighthere。\"
\"Whendidyouknowyouwerecominghome？\"Helenasked。
\"Onlytwodaysago，\"hereplied。\"Ineverwassosurprisedinmylife。EvennowIcan’trealisemygoodluck。Ican’tseewhatI’vedone。Thelasttwomonths，infact，seemtometohavebeenadream。
Jove！\"hewenton，ashedrankhiswine，\"IneverthoughtIshouldbesuchapigastocaresomuchforeatinganddrinking！\"
\"Andthinkwhatweeksofityouhavebeforeyou？\"Helenexplained，clappingherhands。\"PhilippaandIwillhaveanewinterestinlife-tomakeyoufat。\"
Helaughed。
\"Itwon’tbeverydifficult，\"hepromisedthem。\"Ihadseveralmonthsofsemi-starvationbeforethemiraclehappened。ItwasalljustthechanceofhavinghadapalupatMagdalenwho’sbeenservingintheGermanArmy-BertramMaderstromwashisname。Yourememberhim，Philippa？HewasaSwedeinthosedays。\"
\"Whatadearhemusthavebeentohaverememberedandtohavebeensofaithful！\"Philippaobserved，lookingawayforamoment。
\"He’sarealgoodsort，\"Felsteaddeclaredenthusiastically，\"althoughHeavenknowswhyhe’sturnedGerman！Heworkedlikeaslaveforme。Idaresayhedidn’tfinditsodifficulttogetmebetterquartersandaservant，anddecentfood，butwhentheytoldmethatIwasfree-well，itnearlyknockedmesilly。\"
\"Thedearfellow！\"Philippamurmuredpensively。
\"Doyourememberhim，eitherofyou？\"Felsteadcontinued。\"Rathergood-lookinghewas，andalittleshy，butquiteasportsman。\"
\"I-seemtoremember，\"Philippaadmitted。
\"Thenamesoundsfamiliar，\"Helenechoed。\"Dohavesomemorechutney，Dick。\"
\"Thanks！WhatapigIammakingofmyself！\"heobservedcheerfully。
\"YougirlswillthinkIcan’ttalkaboutanyonebutMaderstrom，butthewholebusinessbeatsmesocompletely。Ofcourse，weweregreatpals，inaway，butIneverthoughtthatIwastheappleofhiseye，oranythingofthatsort。Howhegottheinfluence，too，Ican’timagine。Andoh！IknewtherewassomethingelseIwasgoingtoaskyougirls，\"Felsteadwenton。\"Haveyoueverhadaletter，orratheralettereach，uncensored？Justalineortwo？
IthinkImentionedMaderstromwhichIshouldnothavebeenallowedtodointheordinaryprisonletters。\"
Felsteadwashelpinghimselftocheese，andhesawnothingofthequickglancewhichpassedbetweenthetwowomen。
\"Yes，wehadthem，Dick，\"Philippatoldhim。\"Itwasoneafternoon-itdoesn’tseemsoverylongago。Andoh，howthankfulwewere！\"
Felsteadnodded。
\"Hegotthemacrossallright，then。Tellme，didtheycomethroughHolland？Whatwasthepostmark？\"
\"Thepostmark，\"Philipparepeated，alittledoubtfully。\"YouheardwhatDickasked，Helen？Thepostmark？\"
\"Idon’tthinktherewasone，\"Helenreplied，glancinganxiouslyatPhilippa。
Felsteadsetdownhisglass。
\"Nopostmark？Youmeannoforeignpostmark，Isuppose？TheywerepostedinEngland，eh？\"
Philippashookherhead。
\"Theycametous，Dick，\"shesaid，\"byhand。\"
Felsteadwas，withoutadoubt，astonished。HeturnedroundinhischairtowardsPhilippa。
\"Byhand？\"herepeated。\"Doyoumeantosaythattheywereactuallybroughtherebyhand？\"
Perhapssomethinginhismannerwarnedthem。Philippalaughedasshebentoverhischair。
\"Wewilltellyouhowtheycame，presently，\"shedeclared，\"butnotuntilyouhavefinishedyourlunch，drunkthelastdropofthatchampagne，andhadatleasttwoglassesoftheportthatMillshasbeendecantingsocarefully。Afterthatwewillsee。JustnowI
haveonlyonefeeling，andIknowthatHelenhasit，too。Nothingelsemattersexceptthatwehaveyouhomeagain。
Felsteadpattedhissisteronthecheek，drewherfacedowntohisandkissedher。
\"It’ssowonderfultobeathome！\"heexclaimedapologetically。
\"ButImustwarnyouthatIamtherabidestpersonalive。IwentouttothewarwithacertainamountofrespectfortheGermans。I
havecomebackloathingthemlikevermin。Ispent-butIwon’tgoon。\"
Millsmadehisappearancewiththedecanterofport。
\"Ibegyourladyship’spardon，\"hesaid，ashefilledFelstead’sglass，\"butMr。Lessinghamhasarrivedandisinthelibrary，waitingtoseeyou。\"
=20
CHAPTERXXVIII
ToMajorRichardFelstead，Mills’announcementwaswithoutsignificance。Forthefirsttimehebecameconscious，however，ofsomethingwhichseemedalmostlikeasecretunderstandingbetweenhissisterandhisfianc=82e。
\"TellMr。LessinghamIshallbewithhiminaminuteortwo，ifhewillkindlywait，\"Philippainstructed。
\"WhoisMr。Lessingham？\"Richardenquired，assoonasthedoorhadclosedbehindMills。\"Seemsaqueertimetocall。\"
HelenglancedatPhilippa，whoselipsframedadecidednegative。
\"Mr。Lessinghamisagentlemanstayingintheneighbourhood，\"thelatterreplied。\"Youwillprobablymakehisacquaintancebeforelong。Incidentally，hesavedHenry’slifetheothernight。\"
\"Soundsexciting，\"Richardobserved。\"WhatformofdestructionwasHenrycourting？\"
\"Therewasatrawlershipwreckedinthestorm，\"Philippaexplained。
\"Youcanseeitfromallthefrontwindows。Henrywasonboard，returningfromoneofhisfishingexcursions。TheyweretryingtofindDumble’sanchorageandweredriveninontothatlowridgeofrock。Aropebroke，orsomething，theyhadnomorerockets，andMr。Lessinghamswamoutwiththeline。\"
\"Soundslikeapluckychap，\"Richardadmitted。
Philipparosetoherfeetregretfully。
\"Iexpecthehascometowishusgood-by，\"shesaid。\"I’llleaveyouwithHelen，Dick。Don’tletheroverfeedyou。Andyouknowwherethecigarsare，Helen。TakeDickintothegunroomafterwards。You’llhaveitalltoyourselvesandthereisafirethere。\"
Philippaenteredthelibraryinastateofagitationforwhichshewasgladtohavesomereasonableexcuse。SheheldoutbothherhandstoLessingham。
\"Dickisback-justarrived！\"sheexclaimed。\"Ican’ttellyouhowhappyweare，andhowgrateful！\"
Lessinghamraisedherfingerstohislips。
\"Iamglad，\"hesaidsimply。\"Doyoumeanthatheisinthehousehere，now？\"
\"HeisinthediningroomwithHelen。\"
Lessinghamforamomentwasthoughtful。
\"Don’tyouthink，\"hesuggested，\"thatitwouldbebettertokeepusapart？\"
\"Iwaswondering，\"sheconfessed。
\"Haveyoutoldhimaboutmybringingtheletters？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Wenearlydid。ThenIstopped-Iwasn’tsure。\"
\"Youwerewise，\"hesaid。
\"Areyouwise？\"sheaskedhimquickly。=20
=20
\"Incomingbackhere？\"
Shenodded。
\"CaptainGriffithsknowseverything，\"sheremindedhim。\"Heissimplyfuriousbecauseyourarrestwasinterferedwith。Ireallybelievethatheisdangerous。\"
Lessinghamwasunmoved。
\"Ihadtocomeback，\"hesaidsimply。
\"Whydidyougoawaysosuddenly？\"
\"Well，Ihadtodothat，too，\"hereplied，\"onlythegoverningcauseswereverydifferent。Wewillspeak，ifyoudonotmind，onlyofthecausewhichhasbroughtmeback。ThatIbelieveyouknowalready。\"
Philippawascuriouslyafraid。Shelookedtowardsthedoorasthoughwithsomevaguehopeofescape。Sherealisedthatthenecessityfordecisionhadarrived。
\"Philippa，\"hewenton，\"doyouseewhatthisis？\"
Hehandedhertwofoldedslipsofpaper。Shestarted。Atthetopofonesherecognisedasmallphotographofherself。
\"Whatarethey？\"sheasked。\"Whatdoesitmean？\"
\"TheyarepassportsforAmerica，\"hetoldher。
\"For-forme？\"shefaltered。
\"Foryouandme。\"
Theyslippedfromherfingers。Hepickedthemupfromthecarpet。
Herfacewashiddenforamomentinherhands。
\"Iknowsowellhowyouarefeeling，\"hesaidhumbly。\"Iknowhowterribleashockthismustseemtoyouwhenitcomessonear。Youaresodifferentfromtheotherwomenwhomightdothisthing。Itissomuchharderforyouthanforthem。\"
Sheliftedherhead。Therewasstillsomethingofthelookofascaredchildinherface。
\"Don’timaginemebetterthanIam，\"shebegged。\"Iamnotreallydifferentfromanyotherwoman，onlyitisthefirsttimethissortofthinghasevercomeintomylife。\"
\"Iknow。Yousee，\"hewenton，alittlewistfully，\"youhavenottakenme，asyet，veryfarintoyourconfidence，Philippa。YouknowthatIloveyouasamanlovesonlyonce。Itsoundslikeanemptyphrasetosayit，butifyouwillgivemeyourlifetotakecareof，Ishallonlyhaveonethought-tomakeyouhappy。CouldIsucceed？Thatiswhatyouhavetoaskyourself。Youarenothappynow。Doyouthinkthat，ifyoustayonhere，thefutureislikelytobeanybetterforyou？\"
Sheshookherheaddrearily。
\"Ibelieve，\"sheconfessed，\"thatIhavereachedtheverylimitofmyendurance。\"
Hecamealittlenearer。Hishandsresteduponhershouldersverylightly，yettheyseemedlikesomeenvelopingchain。Morethaneverinthosefewmomentssherealisedthespiritualqualitiesofhisface。Hiseyeswereaglow。Hisvoice，alittlebrokenwithemotion，waswonderfullytender。Helookedatherasthoughsheweresomepreciousandsacredthing。
\"Iamrich，\"hesaid，\"andtherearefewpartsoftheworldwherewecouldnotlive。Wecouldfindourwaytotheislands，likeyourgreatwriterStevensoninwhomyoudelightsomuch；islandsfullofcolour，andwonderfulbirds，andstrangeblueskies；
islandswherethepeaceofthetropicsdullsmemory，andtimeheatsonlyintheheart。Theworldisagreatplace，Philippa，andtherearecornerswherethesordidcrimeofthisghastlybutcheryhasscarcelybeenheardof，wherethehorrorandthetaintofitareasthoughtheyneverexisted，wherethesunandmoonarestillunashamed，andthegreymonstersridenowhereuponthesapphireseas。\"
\"Itsoundslikeafairytale，\"shemurmured，withahalfpatheticsmile。
\"Lovealwaysfashionslifelikeafairytale，\"hereplied。
Shestoodperfectlystill。
\"Youmusthavemyanswernow，atthismoment？\"sheaskedatlast。
\"Thereareyetsomehours，\"hetoldher。\"Ihaveaverypowerfulautomobilehere，andto-nightthereisafullmoon。Ifweleavehereatteno’clock，wecancatchthesteamerto-morrowafternoon。
Everythinghasbeenmadeveryeasyforme。Andfortune，too，iswithus-yourvindictivecommandant，CaptainGriffiths，isinLondon。Yousee，youhavethewholeafternoonforthought。I
wantyouonlyforyourhappiness。Atteno’clockIshallcomehere。Ifyouarecomingwithme，youmustbereadythen。Youunderstand？\"
\"Iunderstand，\"sheassented，underherbreath。\"Andnow，\"shewenton，raisinghereyes，\"somehowIthinkthatyouareright。
ItwouldbebetterforyouandDicknottomeet。\"
\"Iamsureofit，\"heagreed。\"Ishallcomeformyansweratteno’clock。Iwonder-\"
Hestoodlookingather，hiseyeshungrytofindsomesigninherface。Therewassomuchkindnessthere，somuchthatmightpass，even，foraffection，andyetsomethingwhich，behinditall，chilledhisconfidence。Helefthissentenceuncompletedandturnedtowardsthedoor。Suddenlyshecalledhimback。Sheheldupherfinger。Herwholeexpressionhadchanged。Shewasalarmed。
\"Wait！\"shebegged。\"IcanhearDick’svoice。Waittillhehascrossedthehail。\"
Theybothstood，foramoment，quitesilent。ThentheyheardalittleprotestingcryfromHelen，andagood-humouredlaughfromRichard。Thedoorwasthrownopen。
\"Youdon’tmindourcomingthroughtothegunroom，Phil？\"herbrotherasked。\"We’renot-MyGod！\"
Therewasaqueersilence，brokenbyHelen，whostoodonthethreshold，thepictureofdistress。
\"Itriedtogethimtogotheotherway，Philippa。
Richardtookaquickstepforward。Hishandswereoutstretched。
\"Bertram！\"heexclaimed。\"Isthisamiracle？Youherewithmysister？\"
Lessinghamheldouthishand。SuddenlyRicharddroppedhis。Hisexpressionhadbecomesterner。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hesaidsimply。\"Somebodypleaseexplain。\"
CHAPTERXXIX
Forafewbriefsecondsnooneseemedinclinedtotakeuponthemselvestheonusofspeech。Richard’samazementseemedtoincreaseuponreflection。
\"Maderstrom！\"heexclaimed。\"Bertram！Whatinthenameofallthat’sdiabolicalareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Iamjustaderelict，\"Lessinghamexplained，withafaintsmile。
\"Gladtoseeyou，Richard。YouareadayearlierthanIexpected。\"
\"YouknewthatIwascoming，then？\"Richarddemanded。
\"Naturally，\"Lessinghamreplied。\"Ihadthegreatpleasureofarrangingforyourrelease。\"
\"Lookhere，\"Richardwenton，\"I’mgropingaboutabit。Idon’tunderstand。ForgivemeifIrunoffthetrack。I’mnotforgettingourfriendship，Maderstrom，orwhatIowetoyousinceyoucameandfoundmeatWittenburg。Butforallthat，youhaveservedintheGermanArmyandareanenemy，andIwanttoknowwhatyouaredoinghere，inEngland，inmybrother-in-law’shouse。\"
\"Noparticularharm，Richard，Ipromiseyou，\"Lessinghamrepliedmildly。
\"Youarehereunderafalsename！\"
\"HamarLessingham，ifyoudonotmind，\"theotherassented。\"I
prefermyownname，butIdonotfancythattheuseofitwouldensuremeaverywarmwelcomeoverherejustnow。Besides，\"headded，withaglanceatPhilippa，\"IhavetoconsiderthefriendswhosehospitalityIhaveenjoyed。\"
InashadowysortofwaythetruthbegantodawnuponRichard。Histonebecamegrimmerandhismannermoremenacing。
\"Maderstrom，\"hesaid，\"wemetlastunderdifferentcircumstances。
IwilladmitthatIcutapoorfigure，butminewasatleastanhonourableimprisonment。Iamnotsosurethatyoursisanhonourablefreedom。\"
Philippalaidherhanduponherbrother’sarm。
\"Dick，dear，dorememberthattheywerestarvingyoutodeath！\"
shebegged。
\"Youwouldneverhavelivedthroughit，\"Helenechoed。
\"YouaretalkingtoMr。Lessingham，\"Philippaprotested，\"asthoughhewereanenemy，insteadofthebestfriendyoueverhadinyourlife。\"
Richardwavedthemaway。
\"Youmustleavethistous，\"heinsisted。\"MaderstromandIwillbeabletounderstandoneanother，atanyrate。Whatareyoudoinginthishouse-inEngland？Whatisyourmissionhere？\"
\"Whateveritmayhavebeen，itisaccomplished，\"Lessinghamsaidgravely。\"Atthepresentmoment，myplansaretoleaveyourcountryto-night。\"
\"Accomplished？\"Richardrepeated。\"Whatthedevildoyoumean？
Accomplished？Areyouplayingthespyinthiscountry？\"
\"Youwouldprobablyconsidermymissionespionage，\"Lessinghamadmitted。
\"Andyouhavebroughtittoasuccessfulconclusion？\"
\"Ihave。\"
Philippathrewherarmsaroundherbrother’sneck。\"Dick，\"shepleaded，\"pleaselisten。Mr。Lessinghamhasbeenhere，inthisdistrict，eversincehelandedinEngland。Whatpossibleharmcouldbedo？Wehaven’tasinglesecrettobelearned。Everybodyknowswhereourfewgunsare。Everybodyknowswhereoursoldiersarequartered。Wehaven’taharbouroranysecretfortifications。
Wehaven’tanyshippinginformationwhichitwouldbeoftheleastusesignallinganywhere。Mr。Lessinghamhasspenthistimeamongsttrifleshere。TakeHelenawaysomewhereandforgetthatyouhaveseenhiminthehouse。RememberthathehassavedHenry’slifeaswellasyours。\"
\"Iinvitenoconsiderationuponthataccount，\"Lessinghamdeclared。
\"AllthatIdidforyouinGermany，Idid，orshouldhaveattemptedtodo，formyoldfriend。Yourreleasewasdifferent。Iamforcedtoadmitthatitwasthepricepaidformysojournhere。Iwillonlyaskyoutorememberthatthebargainwasmadewithoutyourknowledge，andthatyouareinnowayresponsibleforit。\"
\"Aprice，\"Richardpronouncedfiercely，\"whichIrefusetopay！\"
Lessinghamshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Thealternative，\"heconfessed，\"isinyourhands。\"
Richardmovedtowardsthetelephone。
\"Iamsorry，Maderstrom，\"hesaid，\"butmydutyisclear。WhoisCommandanthere，Philippa？\"
Philippastoodbetweenherbrotherandthetelephone。Therewasaqueer，angrypatchofcolourinhercheeks。Hereyeswereonfire。
\"Richard，\"sheexclaimed，\"youshallnotdothisfrommyhouse！
Iforbidyou！\"
\"Dowhat？\"
\"Giveinformation。Doyouknowwhatitwouldmeaniftheybelievedyou？\"
\"Death，\"heanswered。\"Maderstromknewtheriskheranwhenhecametothiscountryunderafalsename。\"
\"Perfectly，\"Lessinghamadmitted。
\"ButIwon’thaveit！\"Philippaprotested。\"Hehasbecomeourfriend。Daybydaywehavegrowntolikehimbetterandbetter。
Hehassavedyourlife，Dick。Hehasbroughtyoubacktous。
Thinkwhatitisthatyoupurpose！\"
\"Itiswhateverysoldierhastoface，\"Richarddeclared。
\"Youmendrivemecrazywithyourfoolishideas！\"Philippacrieddesperately。\"Thewarisinyourbrains，Ithink。Youwouldcarryitfromthebattlefieldsintoyourdailylife。Becausetwogreatcountriesareatwar，iseverythingtogoby-chivalry？-allthefiner，sweeterfeelingsoflife？Ifyoutwometonthebattlefield，itwouldbedifferent。Hereinmydrawing-room，I
willnothavethisblackdemonofthewardraggedinasanexcuseformurder！TakeDickaway，Helen！\"shebegged。\"Mr。Lessinghamisleavingto-night。Iwillpledgemywordthatuntilthenheremainsaharmlesscitizen。\"
\"Womendon’tunderstandthesethings，Philippa-\"Richardbegan。
\"Thankheavensweunderstandthembetterthanyoumen！\"Philippainterruptedfiercely。\"Youhavebutoneidea-tostrike-thenarrowideaofmenthatbreedswarfare。Itellyouthatifeveruniversalpeacecomes，ifeverthenationsaretaughtthehorrorofthislustforblood，thiscriminaloutrageagainstcivilisation，itisthewomenwhowillbecometheteachers，becauseamongstyourinstinctsthebrutishonesofforcearethefirsttoleaptothesurfaceattheslightestprovocation。Wewomenseefurther，weknowmore。Isweartoyou，Richard，thatifyouinterfereIwillneverforgiveyouaslongasIlive！\"
Richardstaredathissisterinamazement。Thereseemedtobesomenewspiritbornwithinher。Throughoutalltheirdayshehadneverknownhersomuchinearnest，sopassionatelyinsistent。Helookedfromhertothemanwhomshesoughttoprotect，andwhoanswered，unasked，thethoughtsthatwereinhismind。
\"WhateverharmImayhavebeenabletodo，\"Lessinghamannounced，\"isfinished。Ileavethisplaceto-night，probablyforever。AsfortheCommandant，\"hewentonwithafaintsmile，\"heisalreadyuponmytrack。Thereisnothingyoucantellhimaboutmewhichhedoesnotknow。Itisjustamatterofhours，thetossofacoin，whetherIgetawayornot。\"
\"They’vefoundyouout，then？\"Richardexclaimed。
\"Onlyamiraclesavedmefromarrestaweekago，\"Lessinghamacknowledged。\"YourCommandanthereisatthepresentmomentinLondonforthesolepurposeofdenouncingme。\"
\"Andyetyouremainhere，payingafternooncalls？\"Richardobservedincredulously。\"I’mhangedifIcanseethroughthis！\"
\"Yousee，\"Lessinghamexplainedgently。\"Iamafatalist！\"
ItwasHelenwhofinallyledherloverfromtheroom。Helookedbackfromthedoor。
\"Maderstrom，\"hesaid，\"youknowquitewellhowpersonallyIfeeltowardsyou。Iamgratefulforwhatyouhavedoneforme，eventhoughIambeginningtounderstandyourmotives。Butasregardstheotherthingswearebothsoldiers。IamgoingtotalktoHelenforatime。IwanttounderstandalittlemorethanIdoatpresent。\"
Lessinghamnodded。
\"Letmehelpyou，\"hebegged。\"Hereistheissueinplainwords。