cause I know you have."

"Did she tell you so?" Mordaunt sounded grim.

Noel turned to look at him. "No. She said you hadn't. But she always
tells a cram when it suits her purpose. I knew you had all the same."

Mordaunt was silent.

"She's horribly down in the mouth," Noel proceeded. "She never used to be
before she married you. It's a pretty beastly thing to have to say, but
someone ought to say it, and if I don't no one else will."

"Go on," said Mordaunt. "Your sense of duty does you credit."

"Don't be a beast! It isn't duty at all. I'm simply pointing out the
obvious. I should think you could see it for yourself, can't you?"

Mordaunt brushed his hair in silence.

"It's got to stop anyhow," Noel went on with determination. "She's not to
be bullied. It's worse than shabby,--it--it's damned mean to--to treat
her as if--as if--" He became suddenly agitated and lost the thread of
his discourse.

Mordaunt had laid down his brushes to listen. His eyes were gravely
attentive. They held no indignation. "Go on," he said again. "You are
quite right to use strong language if you consider the occasion requires
it."

But Noel's flow of language had failed him. He sprang suddenly at his
brother-in-law, and caught him by the shoulders. "Oh, do stop it, old
chap!" he urged, with husky vehemence. "We all of us rely on you. And if
you fail us--can't you see we're done for?"

Mordaunt looked down at him with a faint smile. "Perhaps I had better
tell you what has happened," he said. "The trouble at the present moment
is that Bertrand has robbed me, and has left in consequence."

"Great Scotland!" ejaculated Noel. "How much did he take?"

"Five hundred pounds. That's a detail of small consequence." Mordaunt
spoke with grim precision. "It has upset Chris--quite naturally. But even
you can hardly hold me responsible for that."

"I should think not! I say, I'm sorry I spoke." Impetuously Noel hugged
him to obliterate the effect of his words. "I'm a silly ass. You mustn't
mind me. Do you know, I always thought he would somehow, though Chris was
so keen on him."

"I was keen on him too," Mordaunt observed, without much humour.

"I'm awfully sorry, old chap. It's a bit of a facer for you. But, you
know, you can't trust foreigners. It doesn't do. There was that chap at
Valpre. He simply bewitched Chris. She never would hear a word against
him, but I'm sure he was a bounder. I've often thought since that he
probably manoeuv