areless laugh wholly
devoid of bitterness which yet in some fashion inexplicable pierced his
armour, making him feel ashamed.

"You know exactly what I think of that sort of thing, don't you?" Scott
said. "That's the best of having no special physical attractions. One
doesn't need to think of appearances."

Sir Eustace made no rejoinder. He could think of nothing to say; for he
knew that Scott's attitude was absolutely sincere. For physical suffering
he cared not one jot. The indomitable spirit of the man lifted him above
it. He was fashioned upon the same lines as the men who faced the lions
of Rome. No bodily pain could ever daunt him.

He went from the room haughtily but in his heart he carried an odd
misgiving that burned and spread like a slow fire, consuming his pride.
Scott had withstood him, Scott the weakling, and in so doing had made him
aware of a strength that exceeded his own.

As for Scott, the moment he was alone he drew a great breath of relief,
and almost immediately after opened the French window and passed quietly
out into the garden.

The dusk was falling, and the air smote chill; yet he moved slowly forth,
closing the window behind him and so down into the desolate shrubberies
where he paced for a long, long time....

When he went to Isabel's room more than an hour later, his eyes were
heavy with weariness, and he moved like a man who bears a burden.

She was alone, and looked up at his entrance with a smile of welcome.
"Come and sit down, Stumpy! I've seen nothing of you. Dinah has only just
left me. She tells me Eustace is talking of a picnic for to-morrow, but
really she ought to give her mind to her trousseau if she is ever to be
ready in time. Do you think Eustace can be induced to see reason?"

"I don't know," Scott said. He seated himself by Isabel's side and leaned
back against the cushions, closing his eyes.

"You are tired," she said gently.

"Oh, only a little, Isabel!" He spoke without moving, making no effort to
veil his weariness from her.

"What is it, dear?" she said.

"I am very anxious about Dinah." He spoke the words deliberately; his
face remained absolutely still and expressionless.

"Anxious, Stumpy!" Isabel echoed the word quickly, almost as though it
gave her relief to speak. "Oh, so am I--terribly anxious. She is so
young, so utterly unprepared for marriage. I believe she is frightened to
death when she lets herself stop to think."

"I blame myself," Scott s