this unwonted reticence; and because of it he treated her with the utmost
patience and consideration, asking no question, giving no sign that he so
much as noticed the change in her. He invariably turned from any subject
she seemed to find distasteful. If she seemed unusually nervous or
unreasonable, he passed it over, bearing with her with a tenderness that
sometimes moved her in secret to passionate tears the while she asked
herself what she had ever done that he should love her so.

For if she had ever doubted the quality of his love, she could not do so
now. It surrounded her whichever way she turned, asking nothing of her,
never intruding upon her, content simply to shelter her. And though the
very fact of it hurt her, it comforted her subtly as well, lulling her
fear of him, giving her a certain measure of confidence.

Of Bertrand, in those days, she saw less and less. In the first shock of
realization she had instinctively avoided him, possessed by a haunting
dread that he might guess her secret. But upon this point she was very
soon reassured. The consistent and unwavering friendliness of his
attitude quieted her misgivings, and nerved her to treat him, if with
less intimacy, at least without visible awkwardness. Whether he noticed
her avoidance or not she did not know, but he certainly seemed to be
withdrawing himself more and more out of her life. His work with her
husband apparently occupied all his thoughts, and then there was Aunt
Philippa also to keep him at a distance. How it would be when her aunt
departed Chris had no notion, but she was looking forward to that event
with an eagerness almost feverish. All her natural sweetness
notwithstanding, there were occasions upon which she actively disliked
this domineering relative of hers. Aunt Philippa, on her part, who had
never taken so much trouble with her niece before, openly marvelled at
her intractability, which even the fact that Chris was one of those
headstrong Wyndhams did not, in her opinion, wholly justify. No open
rupture had occurred, but a very decided animosity had begun to smoulder
between them, which a very little provocation might at any moment fan
into open hostility.

Chris was leaning against a pillar of the porch when her brother
returned. There was very decided dejection in her attitude.

"Cheer up!" Noel exhorted her, as he sprang from the car. "I've got a
ripping plan."

He came and twined his arm in hers, and Chris smiled with a