. Facts and fancies had
intermingled, till they had misled him in his delirium into believing
that it was she he loved.

The truth was, she argued to herself, that he loved nobody. It was
certain that a woman by her treachery and double dealing had killed his
better nature, or drugged it; and his capacity for love and trust had
gone. If it were not so, he would have loved Joyce who was beautiful and
winning, and have respected her because of her ingenuous innocence. It
was a thousand pities that such a strong character had been tricked and
perverted!

And now that there was no one to monopolise his leisure moments, it was
to be hoped that he would, on his return, confine himself to his music
and the treatise he was at work upon. It would be a relief, Honor felt,
if he would only continue to keep out of her way; otherwise, life would
be intolerable. It was the acme of humiliation to have discovered
herself in love with a man who had no need of her whatever! and the
sooner she could find something to do outside the District, either in a
hospital or in connection with some charitable organisation, the better
it would be for her peace of mind and self-respect.

However, when she broached the subject of work away from home, her
parents would hear nothing of it.

"Our only child, and not to live with us!" Mrs. Bright exclaimed,
horrified. "What is the use of having a daughter if we are to let her
leave us--except to be married?"

"I shall never marry. I have no vocation in that line, so should lead
some sort of useful life."

"And isn't your life useful? What should I do alone when your father is
in camp? If either of us was ill, whom do you think we would look to,
but you? Surely, Honey, you are not bored with your own home?"

"Never, Mother dear! I am too happy with you and Dad. But most girls do
something now-a-days. It is only that I feel it such a waste of energy
to stay at home doing nothing but please myself."

"You have your duty to us, and your 'duty to your neighbour'."

"Which latter consists of meeting him collectively at the Club, helping
to amuse him with tennis and golf, and listening to a lot of scandal!"

"My dear! since when have you turned cynical? You are, I am sure, a
great comfort to Mrs. Meek; and the families of our servants simply
worship you."

"For converting my cast-off garments to their use in winter. My old navy
skirt has certainly made an excellent pair of pyjamas for Kareem's young