ul; and for the first time his heart reached out
for pity--almost humbled itself--accepted the human lot. If Desmond
were killed, he would never choose to go on living. Did she know
that? Was it because she guessed at the feelings he had always done
his best to hide that she had been so good to him that evening?

What as to that love-story of hers--her family?--her brother in
Mesopotamia? He began to feel a hundred curiosities about her, and a
strong wish to make life easy for her, as she had been making it
easy for him. But she was excessively proud and scrupulous--that he
had long since found out. No use offering to double her salary, now
that she had saved him all this money! His first advance in that
direction had merely offended her. The Squire thought vaguely of the
brother--no doubt a young lieutenant. Could interest be made for
him?--with some of the bigwigs. Then his--very intermittent--sense
of humour asserted itself. He to make interest with anybody--for
anybody--in connection with the war! He, who had broken with every
soldier-friend he ever had, because of his opinions about the
war!--and was anathema throughout the country for the same reason.
Like all members of old families in this country he had a number of
aristocratic and wealthy kinsfolk, the result of Mannering marriages
in the past. But he had never cared for any of them, except to a
mild degree for his sister, Lady Cassiobury, who was ten years older
than himself, and still paid long visits to Mannering, which bored
him hugely. On the last occasion, he was quite aware that he had
behaved badly, and was now in her black-books.

No--there was nothing to be done, except to let this wonderful woman
have her own way! If she wanted to cut down the woods, let her!--if
she wanted to amuse herself by rebuilding the village, and could
find the money out of the estate, let her!--it would occupy her,
attach her to the place, and do him no harm.

Yes, attach her to the place; bind her! hold her!--that was what he
wanted. Otherwise, how hideously uncertain it all was! She might go
at any time. Her mother might be ill--old ladies have a way of being
ill. Her brother might be wounded--or killed. Either of those events
would carry her off--out of his ken. But if she were engaged deeply
enough in the estate affairs she would surely come back. He knew
her!--she hated to leave things unfinished. He was eager now to heap
all kinds of responsibilities upon her. He w