to be any life for her? At your rate, sir, there will be
none. I'm no worse than other men, and I love her more than they could."

For fully a minute Pierson stood silent, before he said: "Forgive me if
I've spoken harshly. I didn't mean to. I love her intensely; I wish for
nothing but her good. But all my life I have believed that for a man
there is only one woman--for a woman only one man."

"Then, Sir," Fort burst out, "you wish her--"

Pierson had put his hand up, as if to ward off a blow; and, angry though
he was, Fort stopped.

"We are all made of flesh and blood," he continued coldly, "and it seems
to me that you think we aren't."

"We have spirits too, Captain Fort." The voice was suddenly so gentle
that Fort's anger evaporated.

"I have a great respect for you, sir; but a greater love for Noel, and
nothing in this world will prevent me trying to give my life to her."

A smile quivered over Pierson's face. "If you try, then I can but pray
that you will fail."

Fort did not answer, and went out.

He walked slowly away from the bungalow, with his head down, sore,
angry, and yet-relieved. He knew where he stood; nor did he feel that
he had been worsted--those strictures had not touched him. Convicted of
immorality, he remained conscious of private justifications, in a way
that human beings have. Only one little corner of memory, unseen and
uncriticised by his opponent, troubled him. He pardoned himself the
rest; the one thing he did not pardon was the fact that he had known
Noel before his liaison with Leila commenced; had even let Leila sweep
him away on, an evening when he had been in Noel's company. For that he
felt a real disgust with himself. And all the way back to the station he
kept thinking: 'How could I? I deserve to lose her! Still, I shall try;
but not now--not yet!' And, wearily enough, he took the train back to
town.

III

Both girls rose early that last day, and went with their father to
Communion. As Gratian had said to George: "It's nothing to me now, but
it will mean a lot to him out there, as a memory of us. So I must go."
And he had answered: "Quite right, my dear. Let him have all he can get
of you both to-day. I'll keep out of the way, and be back the last thing
at night." Their father's smile when he saw them waiting for him went
straight to both their hearts. It was a delicious day, and the early
freshness had not yet dried out of the air, when they were walking home
to b