e been doing lately? You, of course, concluded
that after conducting myself in an examplary fashion an astonishing
time it was a trifling lapse?"

"Well," said Dane dryly, "as I admitted, it appeared somewhat out of
your usual line, but when I heard that a man from the settlement had
been ejected with violence from your homestead, what could one believe?"

"Colonel Barrington told you that!"

"No," said Dane, "you know he didn't. Still, he had a hired man riding
a horse he'd bought, and I believe--though it is not my affair--Maud
Barrington was there. Now, of course, one feels diffident about
anything that may appear like preaching, but you see, a good many of us
are following you, and I wouldn't like you to have many little lapses
of that kind while I'm backing you. You and I have done with these
frivolities some time ago, but there are lads here they might appeal
to. I should be pleased if you could deny the story."

Winston's face was grim. "I'm afraid it would not suit me to do as
much just now," he said. "Still, between you and I, do you believe it
likely that I would fly at that kind of game?"

Dane laughed softly. "Well," he said, "tastes differ, and the girl is
pretty, while you know, after all, they're very much the same. We
have, however, got to look at the thing sensibly, and you admit you
can't deny it."

"I told you it wouldn't suit me."

"Then there is a difference?"

Winston nodded. "You must make the best of that, but the others may
believe exactly what they please. It will be a favor to me if you
remember it."

Dane smiled curiously. "Then I think it is enough for me, and you will
overlook my presumption. Courthorne, I wonder now and then when I
shall altogether understand you!"

"The time will come," said Winston dryly, to hide what he felt, for his
comrade's simple avowal had been wonderfully eloquent. Then Dane
touched his horse with his heel and rode away.

It was two or three weeks later when Winston, being requested to do so,
drove over to attend one of the assemblies at Silverdale Grange. It
was dark when he reached the house, for the nights were drawing in, but
because of the temperature few of the great oil lamps were lighted, and
the windows were open wide. Somebody had just finished singing when he
walked into the big general room, and he would have preferred another
moment to make his entrance, but disdained to wait. He, however, felt
a momentary warmth in his