borne. A fury akin
to hatred surged up within her. There was no man living who could make
her do this thing.

Fiercely she tore the paper across and across, and flung the fragments
from her. Never would she consent to this! She would defy him sooner!

Defy him! It was as if a voice spoke suddenly in her soul, asking a quiet
question. Could she defy him and still hide her secret? Would not the
steady eyes read her through and through the instant that her will
resisted his? Would he not know in a moment? Was it not even possible
that he had begun already to suspect?

Again she recalled his intent look of the night before, and her heart
misgave her. Had she betrayed herself? Had he seen behind the veil? She
shivered at the thought, and for a few moments she was overwhelmingly
afraid. How would she ever meet those eyes again?

But when presently Noel presented himself she had recovered her
self-command. She even compelled herself to eat some breakfast, while he
balanced himself on the window-sill and made careless conversation. It
was evident that he knew nothing of Bertrand's impending departure, and
she was relieved that this was so. She could not have borne his curiosity
or his comments.

"What are you going to do to-day?" she presently inquired.

"When you've had a decent meal, I'm going for a ride," he answered
promptly. "Can't waste the whole day hanging about and Fiddle's spoiling
for a gallop. You won't come, I suppose?"

She shook her head. "No. I couldn't, anyhow. I must stay with Aunt
Philippa to-day. I've had quite a lot to eat. Don't wait."

He sprang to his feet at once. "You haven't done badly, have you,
considering you've been lazing in bed instead of working up an appetite
in the open air? I say, Chris, there's nothing the matter, is there?"

"Of course not," she returned briskly. "Why?"

"You're not looking exactly chirpy," he said, regarding her critically.
"And Trevor was positively bearish this morning. He hasn't been bullying
you, has he?"

"Of course not," she said again. "How absurd you are!"

He looked incredulous. "Don't you stick it!" he warned her. "If he tries
it on, you come to me. I'll settle him."

She laughed and turned the subject. "Hadn't you better start? It's
getting late."

"P'raps I had. Good-bye, then!" He bent unexpectedly and kissed her
cheek. "We'll go for a picnic to-morrow," he said, "to celebrate Aunt
Phil's departure. Keep your pecker up! She'll soon be gone."