re was danger."

* * *

In the afternoon James received a note from Mrs. Clibborn, asking him
to call upon her. Mary and her father were out walking, she said, so
there would be no one to disturb them, and they could have a pleasant
little chat. The invitation was a climax to Jamie's many vexations, and
he laughed grimly at the prospect of that very foolish lady's
indignation. Still, he felt bound to go. It was, after a fashion, a
point of honour with him to avoid none of the annoyances which his act
had brought upon him. It was partly in order to face every infliction
that he insisted on remaining at Little Primpton.

"Why haven't you been to see me, James?" Mrs. Clibborn murmured, with a
surprisingly tender smile.

"I thought you wouldn't wish me to."

"James!"

She sighed and cast up her eyes to heaven.

"I always liked you. I shall never feel differently towards you."

"It's very kind of you to say so," replied James, somewhat relieved.

"You must come and see me often. It'll comfort you."

"I'm afraid you and Colonel Clibborn must be very angry with me?"

"I could never be angry with you, James.... Poor Reginald, he doesn't
understand! But you can't deceive a woman." Mrs. Clibborn put her hand
on Jamie's arm and gazed into his eyes. "I want you to tell me
something. Do you love anyone else?"

James looked at her quickly and hesitated.

"If you had asked me the other day, I should have denied it with all my
might. But now--I don't know."

Mrs. Clibborn smiled.

"I thought so," she said. "You can tell me, you know."

She was convinced that James adored her, but wanted to hear him say so.
It is notorious that to a handsome woman even the admiration of a
crossing-sweeper is welcome.

"Oh, it's no good any longer trying to conceal it from myself!" cried
James, forgetting almost to whom he was speaking. "I'm sorry about Mary;
no one knows how much. But I do love someone else, and I love her with
all my heart and soul; and I shall never get over it now."

"I knew it," sighed Mrs. Clibborn, complacently, "I knew it!" Then
looking coyly at him: "Tell me about her."

"I can't. I know my love is idiotic and impossible; but I can't help it.
It's fate."

"You're in love with a married woman, James."

"How d'you know?"

"My poor boy, d'you think you can deceive me! And is it not the wife of
an officer?"

"Yes."

"A very old friend of yours?"

"It's just that which makes it so terrible."

"I kn