taking no notice, "you were--friends. I can't tell
what I was. I don't know. It's something very droll. You would laugh, I
suppose. But that's not to the purpose either. You wouldn't have
Derwentwater to-day."

Bice looked up with a half laugh. She began to consider him closely with
her clear-sighted penetrating eyes, and the agitation under which Jock
was labouring impressed the girl's quick mind. She watched every change
of his face with a surprised interest, but she did not make any reply.

"I never expected you would. I could have told him so. I did tell him
you liked the other best. They say that's common with women," Jock said
with a little awe, "when they have the choice offered, that it is always
the worst they take."

But still Bice did not reply. It was a sort of carrying out without any
responsibility of hers, the vague wonder and questionings of her own
mind. She had no responsibility in what Jock said. She could even
question and combat it cheerfully now that it was presented to her from
outside, but for the moment she said nothing to help him on, and he did
not seem to require it, though he paused from time to time.

"This is what I've got to say," Jock went on almost fiercely. "If you
take Montjoie it's a mistake. He looks good-natured and all that; he
looks easy to get on with. You hear me out, and then I'll go away and
never trouble you again. He is not--a nice fellow. If you were to go and
do such a thing as--marry him, and then find it out! I want you to know.
Perhaps you think it's mean of me to say so, like sneaking, and perhaps
it is. But, look here, I can't help it. Of course you would laugh at
me--any one would. I'm a boy at school. I know that as well as you
do----" Something got into Jock's voice so that he paused, and made a
gulp before he could go on. "But, Bice, don't have that fellow. There
are such lots; don't have _him_. I don't think I could stand it," Jock
cried. "And look here, if it's because the Contessa wants money, I have
some myself. What do I want with money? When I am older I shall work.
There it is for you, if you like. But don't--have that fellow. Have a
good fellow, there are plenty--there are fellows like Sir Tom. He is a
good man. I should not," said Jock, with a sort of sob, which came in
spite of himself, and which he did not remark even, so strong was the
passion in him. "I should not--mind. I could put up with it then. So
would Derwentwater. But, Bice----"

She ha