.

"At that rate, there can be no more to say about her."

And he went leisurely over to the mantelpiece, where he remained,
leaning on one elbow, his back towards his companion. Paul saw plainly
that he was ill at ease, and cursed the contingency which compelled
him to further speech.

"Forgive me if I seem intrusive, Theo," he began, "but I am afraid
there is more to be said. This afternoon Olliver spoke to me----"

Desmond swung round again, with blazing eyes.

"What the hell has Olliver got to do with _my wife_? I have never
interfered with his."

Paul Wyndham looked very steadily into the disturbed face of his
friend. Then he brought his hand down on the green baize of the table
before him.

"Theo--my dear fellow," he said, "it is hard enough for me, in any
case, to say what I must. Is it quite generous of you to make it
harder?"

The fire died slowly out of Desmond's eyes, giving place to a look of
stubborn resignation.

"Forgive me, Paul. Sorry I lost my temper. Let me have the bare facts,
please. Though I probably know them already."

And he returned to his former attitude, the fingers of his left hand
caressing mechanically the stem of a tall vase.

His last remark made Paul watch him anxiously. He was wondering
whether Theo's determination to shield his wife would possibly goad
him into a direct lie; and he devoutly hoped not.

"Well," he began at length, "Olliver spoke to me because there seems
to be rather a strong feeling in the Regiment about Mrs Desmond
and--Kresney being so constantly together again just now----"

The vase Desmond was handling fell with a crash on the concrete
hearth, and the blood spurted from a surface cut on his finger. But
beyond thrusting the scarred hand into his coat pocket, he made no
movement.

"Go on," he said doggedly; and Paul obediently went on, addressing his
unresponsive back and shoulders.

"You see, it was rather--noticeable while you were away. Perhaps the
fact that we all dislike Kresney made it more so; and it naturally
strikes one as very bad taste on his part to be forcing himself on
your wife at a time like this. It seems there was some slight talk at
the Club too--not worth noticing, of course. But you know Mrs Olliver
takes fire easily, where any of us are concerned; and Olliver seemed
afraid she might speak to Mrs Desmond, unless I came to you. He met
them again this afternoon; and he felt you ought at least to know
exactly how matters stand