ssant opposition she encountered, she
determined to let Miss Carson's second challenge go unanswered. She
had tried--tried desperately--to win the affection, or even the bare
liking, of Roger's women-kind, and she had failed. It was all just so
much useless effort. Henceforward they might think of her what they
chose.

The remainder of the meal passed in a strained and uncomfortable
manner. Lady Gertrude and Isobel discussed various matters pertaining
to the village Welfare Club, while Roger preserved an impenetrable
silence, and though Nan made a valiant pretence at eating, lest Lady
Gertrude's gimlet eyes should observe her lack of appetite and her
thin, disdainful voice comment on the fact, she felt all the time as
though the next mouthful must inevitably choke her.

The long, formal meal came to an end at last, and she rose from the
table with a sigh of relief and accompanied the other two women out of
the room, leaving Roger to smoke his pipe alone as usual. An instant
later, to her surprise, she heard his footstep and found that he had
followed them into the hall and was standing on the threshold of the
library.

"Come in here, Nan," he said briefly.

Somewhat reluctantly she followed him into the room. He closed the
door behind her, then swung round on his heel so that they stood
fronting one another.

At the sight of his face she recoiled a step in sheer nervous
astonishment. It was a curious ashen-white, and from beneath drawn
brows his hawk's eyes seemed positively to blaze at her.

"Roger," she stammered, "what--what is it?"

"Is it true?" he demanded, ignoring her halting question, and fixing
her with a glance that seemed to penetrate right through her.

"Is--is what true?" she faltered.

"Is it true--what Isobel said--that you look down on us because we're
countrified, that you're still hankering after that precious artistic
crew of yours in London?"

He spoke violently--so violently that it roused Nan's spirit. She
turned away from him.

"Don't be so absurd, Roger," she said contemptuously. "Isobel was only
joking. It was very silly of her, but it's sillier still for you to
take any notice of what she said."

"She was _not_ joking. You've shown it clearly enough--ever since you
came here--that you're dissatisfied--bored! Do you suppose I haven't
seen it? I'm not blind! And I won't stand it! If your music is going
to come between us, I'll smash the piano--"

"Roger! You rid