n and Charnock continued: "Very well. There was a time
when I loved Helen, or honestly thought I did, but I imagine we had both
found out our mistake when I gave her up. It's certain that she would
not have been satisfied with me. Our romance came to nothing and was
done with long since; there's now no woman who could rouse the feeling I
have for my wife."

He got up and leaned upon his chair, with his eyes fixed on Festing.
"When I told you I was going to be married, you showed your confounded
supercilious pity! You thought I was making a fatal mistake. Well,
you're not a clever fellow, Stephen, but that was the worst blunder you
ever made. Marrying Sadie is perhaps the only wise thing I have done.
She has borne with my follies, hustled me when I needed it, and helped
me to fight my weaknesses; and if there's any hope of my being a useful
man, I owe it to her. Now it's obvious that I can't draw comparisons,
but I think you see where this leads."

"I do see," said Festing, who felt somewhat moved. He had not
heard Charnock talk like this before, and the note in his voice was
significant. He smiled, to ease the strain, as he replied: "Comparisons
would be particularly awkward just now, Bob. Besides, they're
unnecessary, I'm convinced!"

"Then there's no reason you shouldn't go home, and I've come to take you
back."

Festing shook his head. "There are two reasons. In the first place, I've
taken a contract."

"That fellow, Dalton, would probably let you off."

"It's uncertain, and I don't mean to ask. You don't seem to know that
Dalton is Helen's brother."

Charnock laughed. "Then I've no doubt he knows who I am; his manner
ought to have given me a hint. The situation has a touch of ironical
humor, and perhaps the strangest thing is that we should now be better
friends than we have been yet. But what still prevents your going back?"

"Helen's money. I can't beg from her, after refusing the only thing she
has asked."

"You're a bit of a fool," Charnock remarked with a grin. "I've begged
from Sadie often and imagine she liked me for it; anyhow she expected
it. But if you have made up your mind, I expect I can't persuade you."

Festing's gesture indicated an unshaken resolve, and Charnock said:
"Then I'm going to stop and see you through."

"That's ridiculous!" said Festing, who was strongly moved now. "You must
think of Sadie. You can't stop; I won't allow it!"

Charnock's eyes twinkled. "I expect Sadie will b