generosity a good deal more than I care to say. But you are not in any
way to blame for the loss of Diamond."

"But, Desmond--I don't understand----"

"There are more things in heaven and earth...!" Desmond quoted,
smiling. "It's like your impertinence to understand everything at
four-and-twenty."

"Oh, shut up!" the other retorted, laughing in spite of himself.
"Can't you see I'm in earnest? You don't mean to tell me----?"

"No, Harry, I don't mean to tell you anything about it. I'm not
responsible to you for my actions. Stay and have a pipe with me to
cool you down a bit. Not another word about my affairs, or I take you
by the shoulders and put you outside the door."

Thus much for Denvil. But the rest could not be treated in this
summary fashion.

Wyndham put in an appearance at polo that afternoon. He played
fitfully; and at other times rode out to the ground, which lay a mile
or so beyond the station. To-day it chanced--or possibly Paul so
contrived it--that he and Desmond rode home together, a little behind
the others.

A low sun stretched out all the hills; distorted the shadows of the
riders; and flung a golden pollen of radiance over the barren land.

The habit of silence was strong between these two men; and for a while
it lasted unbroken. Desmond was riding his favourite pony, a spirited
chestnut Arab, swift as a swallow, sensitive as a child, bearing on
his forehead the white star to which he owed his name. The snaffle
hung loose upon his neck, and Desmond's hand rested upon the silken
shoulder as if in a mute caress. He knew what was coming, and awaited
Paul's pleasure with stoical resignation.

Wyndham considered the strong, straight lines of his friend's profile
thoughtfully; then he spoke:

"You gave us all rather a shock this morning, Theo."

"I'm sorry for that. I was afraid there'd be some bother about it. But
needs must--when the devil drives."

"The devil that drives you is your own incurable pride," Paul answered
with unusual warmth. "You know, without forcing me to put it in
words, that every rupee I possess is at your service. You might have
given me a chance before going such lengths as this."

Desmond shook his head. The man's fastidious soul revolted from the
idea of using Paul's money to pay his wife's bills.

"Not in these circumstances," he said. "It wasn't pride that held me
back; but a natural sense of the justice and--fitness of things. You
must take that on trust, Pa