SirHenrywaitedfortheclosingofthedoor。Thenheleanedforwardforseveralmoments。Hehadscarcelytheappearanceofamanreturnedfromaweekortwoofopen-airlifeandindulgenceinthesporthelovedbest。Thehealthytanofhiscomplexionwaslessenedratherthanincreased。Therewereblacklinesunderhiseyeswhichseemedtospeakofsleeplessnights，andabeardofseveraldays’growthwasuponhischin。HedrankthecocktailwhichMillspresentlybroughthim，atagulp，andwatchedwithsatisfactionwhilethemixerwasvigorouslyshakenandasecondonepouredout。
\"We’vehadaroughtime，Mills，\"heobserved，ashesetdowntheglass。\"Untilthismorningitscarcelyleftoffblowing。\"
\"I’msorrytohearit，sir，\"wastherespectfulreply。\"IfImaybeallowedtosayso，sir，you’relookingtired。\"
\"Iamtired，\"SirHenryadmitted。\"Ithink，ifItried，Icouldgotosleepnowfortwenty-fourhours。\"
\"Youwillpardonmyremindingyou，sofarasregardsyourletters，thatthereisnopostouttonight，sir，\"Millsproceeded。\"Ihavepreparedawarmbathandlaidoutyourclothesforachange。\"
\"Capital！\"SirHenryexclaimed。\"Itisn’taletterthat’sbotheringme，though，Mills。TherearejustafewgeographicalnotesIwanttomake。Youknow，I’mtryingtoimprovethefishermen’schartofthecoastroundhere。ThatfellowGroocock-JimmyDumble’suncle-verynearlylost=20hismotorboatlastweekthroughtrustingtotheoldone。\"
\"Justso，sir，\"Millsreplieddeferentially，placingtheemptyglassuponhistray。\"Ifyou’llexcuseme，sir，Imustgetbacktothediningroom。\"
=20
\"Quiteright，\"hismasterassented。\"Theywon’tbeoutjustyet，willthey？\"
\"Herladyshipwillprobablyberisinginabouttenminutes，sir-notbeforethat。\"
SirHenrynoddedalittleimpatiently。Directlythedoorwasclosedherosetohisfeet，stoodforamomentlisteningbythesideofhisfishingcabinet，thenopenedtheglassfrontandtouchedthespring。
Withtheaidofalittleelectrictorchwhichhetookfromhispocket，hestudiedparticularlyacertainportionofthegiantchart，madesomemeasurementswithapencil，somenotesinthemargin，andcloseditupagainwithanairofsatisfaction。Thenheresumedhisseat，drewafoldedslipofpaperfromhisbreastpocket，achartfromanother，turnedupthelampandbegantowrite。Hisface，ashestoopedlow，escapedthesoftshadeandwasforamomentalmostghastly。Everynowandthenheturnedandmadesomecalculationsontheblotting-paperbyhisside。Atlastheleanedbackwithalittlesighofrelief。Hehadbarelydonesobeforethedoorbehindhimwasopened。
\"Arewegoingtostayinhere，Mummy，orarewegoingintothedrawing-room？\"Noraasked。
\"Inhere，Ithink，\"heheardPhilippareply。
Thentheybothcamein，followedbyHelen。Norawasthefirsttoseehimandrushedforwardwithalittlecryofsurprise。
\"Why，here’sDad！\"sheexclaimed，flingingherarmsaroundhisneck。
\"Daddy，howdareyoubesittinghereallbyyourselfwhilstwearehavingdinner！Whendidyougetback？Whatafish！\"
SirHenrycloseddownhisdesk，embracedhisdaughter，andcameforwardtomeethiswife。
\"Finefellow，isn’the，Nora！\"heagreed。\"Well，Philippa，howareyou？Pleasedtoseeme，Ihope？Anothernewfrock，Ibelieve，andinwartime！\"
\"Fancyyourrememberingthatitwaswartime！\"sheanswered，standingverystillwhileheleanedoverandkissedher。
\"Nastyoneforme，\"SirHenryobservedgood-humouredly。\"Howwellyou’relooking，Helen！AnynewsofDickyet？\"
Helenattemptedanexpressionofextremegravitywithmoreorlesssuccess。
\"Nothingfresh，\"sheanswered。
\"Well，well，nonewsmaybegoodnews，\"SirHenryremarkedconsolingly。\"Jove，it’sgoodtofeelaroofoverone’sheadagain！
Thismorninghasbeentheonlypatchofdecentweatherwe’vehad。\"
\"Thismorningwaslovely，\"Helenassented。\"PhilippaandIwentandsatupinthewoods。\"
Philippa，whowasstandingbythefire，turnedandlookedatherhusbandcritically。
\"Wehavesomemendining，\"shesaid。\"Theywillbeoutinafewminutes。Don’tyouthinkyouhadbettergoandmakeyourselfpresentable？Yousmelloffish，andyoulookasthoughyouhadn’tshavedforaweek。\"
\"Guilty，mydear，\"SirHenryadmitted。\"Millsisjustgettingmesomethingtoeatinthegunroom，andthenIamgoingtohaveabathandchangemyclothes。\"
\"Andshave，Dad，\"Noraremindedhim。
\"Andshave，youyoungpest，\"herfatheragreed，pattingherontheshoulder。\"RunawayandplaybilliardswithHelen。Iwanttotalktoyourmotheruntilmydinner’sready。\"
Noraacquiescedpromptly。
\"Comealong，Helen，I’llgiveyoutwenty-fiveup。Orperhapsyou’dliketoplayshellout？\"sheproposed。\"ArthurSinclairsaysIhaveimprovedinmypottingmorethananyoneheeverknew。\"
SirHenryopenedthedoorandcloseditafterthem。ThenhereturnedandseatedhimselfontheloungebyPhilippa’sside。Sheglancedupathimasthoughinsurprise，and，stretchingoutherhandtowardsherwork-basket，tookupsomeknitting。
\"IreallythinkIshouldchangeatonce，ifIwereyou，\"shesuggested。
\"Presently。IhadasortoffoolishideathatI’dliketohaveawordortwowithyoufirst。I’vebeenawayfornearlyafortnight，haven’tI？\"
\"Youhave，\"Philippaassented。\"PerhapsthatisthereasonwhyIfeelthatIhaven’tverymuchtosaytoyou。\"
\"Thatsoundsjustatriflehard，\"hesaidslowly。
\"Iamhardsometimes，\"Philippaconfessed。\"Youknowthatquitewell。TherearetimeswhenIjustfeelasthoughIhadnoheartatall，noranysympathy；wheneverysensationImighthavehadseemsshrivelledupinsideme。\"
\"Isthathowyouarefeelingatthepresenttimetowardsme，Philippa？\"heasked。
Herneedlesflashedthroughthewoolforamomentinsilence。
\"Youhadeverywarning，\"shetoldhim。\"Itriedtomakeyouunderstandexactlyhowyourbehaviourdisgustedmebeforeyouwentaway。\"
\"Yes，Iremember，\"headmitted。\"I’mafraid，dear，youthinkI
amaworthlesssortofafellow。\"
Philippahadapparentlydroppedastitch。Shebentlowerstilloverherknitting。Therewasadistinctfrownuponherforehead，hermouthwasunrecognisable。
\"YourfriendLessinghamisherestill，Iunderstand？\"herhusbandremarkedpresently。
\"Yes，\"Philippaassented，\"heisdiningto-night。Youwillprobablyseehiminafewminutes。\"
SirHenrylookedthoughtful，andstudiedforamomentthetoeofaremarkablyunprepossessinglookingshoe。
\"You’resokeenaboutthatsortofthing，\"hesaid，\"whataboutLessingham？Heisnotsoldieringoranything，ishe？\"
\"Ihavenoidea，\"Philippareplied。\"Hewalkswithaslightlimpandadmitsthatheishereasaconvalescent，buthehasn’ttoldusverymuchabouthimself。\"
\"Iwonderyouhaven’ttackledhim，\"SirHenrycontinued。\"You’resuchanardentrecruiter，yououghttomakesurethatheisdoinghisbitofbutchery。\"
Philippalookedupatherhusbandforamomentandbackatherwork。
\"Mr。Lessingham，\"shesaid，\"isaverydelightfulfriend，whosestayhereeveryoneisenjoyingverymuch，butheisacomparativestranger。Ifeelnoresponsibilityastohisactions。\"
\"Andyoudoastomine？\"
\"Naturally。\"
SirHenry’sheadwasrestingonhishand，hiselbowonthebackofthelounge。Heseemedtobelisteningtothevoicesinthediningroombeyond。
\"Hm！\"heobserved。\"HashebeenhereoftenwhileI’vebeenaway？\"
\"Asoftenashechose，\"Philippareplied。\"Hehasbecomeverypopularintheneighbourhoodalready，andheisanexceedinglywelcomeguesthereatanytime。\"
\"Takesadvantageofyourhospitalityprettyoften，doesn’the？\"
\"Heisheremostdays。Wearealwaysratherdisappointedwhenhedoesn’tcome。\"
SirHenry’sfrowngrewalittledeeper。
\"What’stheattraction？\"hedemanded。
Philippasmiled。Itwasthesmilewhichthosewhoknewherbest，feared。
\"Well，\"sheconfided，\"IusedtoimaginethatitwasHelen，butI
thinkthathehasbecomealittlebored，talkingaboutnothingbutDickandtheircollegedays。Iamratherinclinedtofancythatitmustbeme。\"
\"You，indeed！\"hegrunted。\"Areyouawarethatyouareamarriedwoman？\"
Philippaglancedupfromherwork。Hereyebrowswereraised，andherexpressionwasoneofmildsurprise。
\"Howqueerthatyoushouldremindmeofit！\"shemurmured。\"Iamafraidthattheseaairdisturbsyourmemory。\"
SirHenryroseabruptlytohisfeet。
\"Oh，damn！\"heexclaimed。
Hewalkedtothedoor。Hisguestswerestilllingeringovertheirwine。Hecouldheartheirvoicesmoredistinctlythanever。ThenhecamebacktothesofaandstoodbyPhilippa’sside。
\"Philippa，oldgirl，\"hepleaded，\"don’tletusquarrel。Ihavehadsuchahardfortnight，anor’easterblowingallthetime，andthedirtiestseasI’veeverknownatthistimeoftheyear。ForfivedaysIhadn’tadrystitchonme，anditwastouchandgomorethanonce。
Wewereallinthewatertogether，andtherewasanastygreenwavethatlookedlikeamountainoverhead，andthesideofourownboatbendingoverusasthoughitmeanttosqueezeourribsin。Itlookedliketentooneagainstus，Phil，andIgotaworsechillthantheseaevergavemewhenIthoughtthatIshouldn’tseeyouagain。\"
Philippalaiddownherknitting。Shelookedsearchinglyintoherhusband’sface。Shewasveryfarfromindifferenttohisalteredtone。
\"Henry，\"shesaid，\"thatsoundsveryterrible，butwhydoyourunsuchrisks-unworthily？DoyouthinkthatIcouldn’tgiveyouallthatyouwant，allthatIhavetogive，ifyoucamehometomewithastorylikethisandIknewthatyouhadbeenfacingdeathrighteouslyandhonourablyforyourcountry’ssake？Why，Henry，thereisn’tamanintheworldcouldhavesuchawelcomeasIcouldgiveyou。DoyouthinkIamcold？Ofcourseyoudon’t！DoyouthinkIwanttofeelasIhavedonethislastfortnighttowardsyou？
Why，it’smisery！Itmakesmefeelinclinedtocommitanyfolly，anymadness，togetridofitall。\"
Herhusbandhesitated。Afrownhaddarkenedhisface。Hehadtheairofonewhoisontheeveofaconfession。
\"Philippa，\"hebegan，\"youknowthatwhenIgooutonthesefishingexpeditions，IalsoputinsomeworkatthenewchartwhichIamsoanxioustoprepareforthefishermen。\"
Philippashookherheadimpatiently。
\"Don’ttalktomeaboutyourfishermen，Henry！I’massickwiththemasIamwithyou。Youcanseetwentyorthirtyofthemanymorning，loungingaboutthequay，strappingyoungfellowswhoshelterthemselvesbehindthepleaofprivilegedemployment。Wearenotoriousdownhereforourskulkers，andyou-youwhoshouldbetheonemantosetthemanexample，areasbadastheyare。Youdeliberatelyencouragethem。\"
SirHenryabandonedhispositionbyhiswife’sside，Hisfacedarkenedandhiseyesflashed。=20
\"Skulkers？\"herepeatedfuriously。
Philippalookedathimwithoutflinching。
\"Yes！Don’tyouliketheword？\"
Theangryflushfadedfromhischeeksasquicklyasithadcome。Helaughedalittleunnaturally，tookupacigarettefromanopenbox，andlitit。
\"Itisn’tapleasantone，isit，Philippa？\"heobserved，thrustinghishandsintohisjacketpocketsstrollingaway。\"Ifonedoesn’tfeelthecall-well，thereyouare，yousee。Jove，that’safinefish。
Hestoodadmiringthecodlinguponthescales。Philippacontinuedherwork。
\"Ifyouintendtospendtherestoftheeveningwithus，\"shetoldhimcalmly，\"pleaseletmeremindyouagainthatwehaveguestsfordinner。Yourpresentattiremaybecomfortablebutitisscarcelybecoming。\"
Heturnedawayandcamebacktowardsher。Ashepassedthelamp，shestarted。
\"Why，you’rewet，\"sheexclaimed，\"wetthrough！\"
\"OfcourseIam，\"headmitted，feelinghissleeve，\"buttotellyouthetruth，intheinterestofourconversationIhadquiteforgottenit。Herecomeourguests，beforeIhavehadtimetoescape。IcanhearyourfriendLessingham’svoice。\"
CHAPTERXII
Thethreedinnerguestsenteredtogether，Lessinghaminthemiddle。
SirHenry’spresencewasobviouslyasurprisetoallofthem。
\"Noideathatyouwereback，sir，\"Harrisonobserved，shakinghands。
SirHenrygreetedthemallgood-humouredly。\"Iturnedupaboutthreequartersofanhourago，\"heexplained，\"justtoolatetojoinyouatdinner。\"
\"Badluck，sir，\"Sinclairremarked。\"Ihopethatyouhadgoodsport？\"
\"Notsobad，\"SirHenryadmitted。\"Wehadtogofarenoughforit，though。WhatdoyouthinkofthatforanOctobercodling？\"
Theyallapproachedthescalesandadmiredthefish。SirHenrystoodwithhishandsinhispockets，listeningtotheircomments。
\"Youareenjoyingyourstayhere，Ihope，Mr。Lessingham？\"heenquired。
\"Onecouldscarcelyfailtoenjoyeventhebriefestholidayinsodelightfullyhospitableaplace，\"wasthesomewhatmeasuredreply。
\"You’rebywayofbeingafishermanyourself，Ihear？\"SirHenrycontinued。
\"Inaverysmallway，\"Lessinghamacknowledged。\"Ihavebeenoutonceortwice。\"
\"WithBenOates，eh？\"
\"Ibelievethatwastheman’sname。\"
Philippaglancedupfromherworkwithalittleexclamationofsurprise。
\"Ihadnoideaofthat，Mr。Lessingham。WhatevermadeyouchooseBenOates？Heisamostdisgracefulperson。\"
\"Itwasentirelybyaccident，\"Lessinghamexplained。\"Imethimonthefront。Ithappenedtobeafinemorning，andhewasratherpressinginhisinvitation。\"
\"I’mafraidhedidn’tshowyoumuchsport，\"SirHenryobserved。
\"FromwhatJimmyDumble’sbrothertoldhim，heseemstohavetakenyouinentirelythewrongdirection，andonthewrongtide。\"
\"Wehadasmallcatch，\"Lessinghamreplied。\"Ireallywentmoreforthesailthanthesport，soIwasnotdisappointed。\"
\"Thecoastitself，\"SirHenryremarked，\"isratheraninterestingone。\"
\"Ishouldimagineso，\"Lessinghamassented。\"Mr。BenOates，indeed，toldmesomewonderfulstoriesaboutit。Hespokeofbroadchannelsdownwhichadreadnoughtcouldapproachwithinahundredyardsoftheland。\"
\"Heisquiteright，too，\"hishostagreed。
\"There’salotofdeepwaterabouthere。Thewholeofthecoastisverycuriousinthatway。Whatthe-whatthedickensisthis？\"
SirHenry，whohadbeenstrollingabouttheroom，pickedupaHomburghatfromthefarsideofatableofcurios。Philippaglancedupathisexclamation。
\"That’sNora’strophy，\"sheexplained。\"Itoldhertotakeituptoherownroom，butshe’salwayswantingtoshowittoherfriends。\"
\"Nora’strophy？\"SirHenryrepeated。\"Why，it’snothingbutanordinaryman’shat。\"
\"Nevertheless，it’saverytravelledone，sir，\"Harrisonpointedout。
\"MissNorapickedituponDutchman’sCommon，themorningaftertheobservationcarwasfoundthere。\"
SirHenryheldoutthehat。
\"ButNoradoesn’tseriouslysupposethattheGermanscomeoverinthissortofheadgear，doesshe？\"hedemanded。
\"Ifyou’lljustlookinsidethelining，sir，\"Sinclairsuggested。
SirHenryturneditupandwhistledsoftly。\"ByJove，it’saGermanhat，allright！\"heexclaimed。\"Doesn’tlookabadshape，either。\"
Hetriediton。Therewasalittlepealoflaughterfromthemen。
Philippahadceasedherknittingandwaswatchingfromthecouch。
SirHenrylookedathimselfinthelooking-glass。
\"Well，that’sfunny，\"heobserved。\"Ishouldn’thavethoughtitwouldhavebeensomuchtoosmallforme。Here，justtryhowyou’dlookinit，Mr。Lessingham，\"headded，handingitacrosstohim。
Lessinghamacceptedthesituationquitecoolly，andplacedthehatcarefullyonhishead。
\"Itdoesn’tfeelparticularlycomfortable，\"heremarked。
\"Thatmaybe，\"SirHenrysuggested，\"becauseyouhaveitonwrongsideforemost。Ifyou’djustturnitround，Ibelieveyouwouldfinditaverygoodfit。\"
Lessinghamatonceobeyed。SirHenryregardedhimwithadmiration。
\"Excellent！\"heexclaimed。\"Lookatthat，Philippa。Mighthavebeenmadeforhim，eh？\"
Lessinghamlookedathimselfintheglassandremovedthehatfromhisheadwith，somecasualobservation。Hewasentirelyathisease。
Hishostturnedtowardsthedoor，whichMillswasholdingopen。
\"CaptainGriffiths，sir，\"thelatterannounced。
SirHenrygreetedhisvisitorbriefly。
\"Howareyou，Griffiths？\"hesaid。\"Gladtoseeyou。Excusemycostume，butIamjustbackfromafishingexpedition。WearealladmiringMr。Lessinghaminhismagichat。\"
CaptainGriffithsshookhandswithPhilippa，noddedtotheothers，andturnedtowardsLessingham。
\"Putitonagain，there’sagoodfellow，Lessingham，\"SirHenrybegged。\"Yousee，wehavefoundamodernversionofCinderella’sslipper。ThehatwhichfellfromtheZeppelinontoDutchman’sCommonfitsourfriendlikeaglove。IneverthoughttheGermansmadesuchgoodhats，didyou，Griffiths？\"
\"Ialwaysthoughttheyimportedtheirfelthats，\"CaptainGriffithsacknowledged。\"IsthatreallytheonewiththeGermannameinside，whichMissNorabroughthome？\"
\"Thisisthegenuinearticle，\"Lessinghamassented，takingitfromhisheadandpassingitontothenewcomer。\"Notwithstandingthenameinside，IshouldstillbelievethatitwasanEnglishhat。Itfeelstoocomfortableforanythingelse。\"
TheCommandanttookthehattoalampandexamineditcarefully。
Hedrewouttheliningandlookedallthewayround。Suddenlyhegaveventtoalittleexclamation。
\"Herearetheowner’sinitials，\"hedeclared，\"ratherfaintbutstilldistinguishable，-B。M。Hm！There’snodoubtaboutitsbeingaGermanhat。\"
\"B。M。，\"SirHenrymuttered，lookingoverhisshoulder。\"Howveryinteresting！B。M。，\"herepeated，turningtoPhilippa，whohadrecommencedherknitting。\"Isitmyfancy，oristheresomethingalittlefamiliaraboutthat？\"
\"IamsurethatIhavenoidea，\"Philippareplied。\"Itconveysnothingtome。\"
Therewasabriefbutapparentlypointlesssilence。Philippa’sneedlesflashedthroughherwoolwitheasyregularity。Lessinghamappearedtobesharingthemildcuriositywhichtheothersshowedconcerningthehat。SirHenrywasstandingwithknittedbrows，intheobviousattitudeofamanseekingtoremembersomething。
\"B。M。，\"hemurmuredsoftlytohimself。\"TherewassomeoneI’veknownorheardofinEngland-What’sthat，Mills？\"
\"Yourdinnerisserved，sir，\"Mills，whohadmadeasilententrance，announced。
SirHenryapparentlythoughtnomoreofthehatoritspossibleowner。Hethrewituponaneighbouringtable，andhisfaceexpressedanewinterestinlife。
\"Jove，I’mravenous！\"heconfessed。\"You’llexcuseme，won’tyou？
Mills，seethatthesegentlemenhavecigarsandcigarettes-inthebilliardroom，Ishouldthink。You’llfindtheyoungpeoplethere。
I’llcomeinandhaveagameofpillslater。\"
Thetwoyoungsoldiers，withCaptainGriffiths，followedSirHenryatoncefromtheroom。Lessingham，however，lingered。Hestoodwithhishandsbehindhim，lookingatthecloseddoor。
\"Areyougoingtostayandtalknonsensewithme，Mr。Lessingham？\"
Philippaasked。
\"IfImay，\"heanswered，withoutchanginghisposition。
Philippalookedathimcuriously。
\"Doyouseeghoststhroughthatdoor？\"
Heshookhishead。
\"Doyouknow，\"hesaid，asheseatedhimselfbyherside，\"therearetimeswhenIfindyourhusbandquiteinteresting。\"
CHAPTERXIII
Philippaleanedbackinherplace。
\"Exactlywhatdoyoumeanbythat，Mr。Lessingham？\"shedemanded。
Heshookhimselffreefromacurioussenseofunreality，andturnedtowardsher。
\"Imustconfess，\"hesaid，\"thatsometimesyourhusbandpuzzlesme。\"
\"Notnearlysomuchashepuzzlesme，\"Philipparetorted，alittlebitterly。
\"Hashealwaysbeensodesperatelyinterestedindeep-seafishing？\"
Philippashruggedhershoulders。
\"Moreorless，butneverquitetothisextent。Thethinghasbecomeanobsessionwithhimlately。Ifyouarereallygoingtostayandtalkwithme，doyoumindifwedon’tdiscussmyhusband？Justnowthesubjectisratherapainfulonewithme。\"
\"Icanquiteunderstandthat，\"Lessinghammurmuredsympathetically。
\"WhatdoyouthinkofCaptainGriffiths？\"sheasked，alittleabruptly。
\"Ihavethoughtnothingmoreabouthim。ShouldI？Isheofanyrealimportance？\"
\"Heismilitarycommandanthere。\"
Lessinghamnoddedthoughtfully。
\"Isupposethatmeansthatheisthemanwhooughttobeonmytrack，\"heobserved。
\"Ishouldn’tbeintheleastsurprisedtohearthathewas，\"Philippasaiddrily。\"Ihavetoldyouthathecameandaskedaboutyoutheothernight，whenhedinedhere。Heseemedperfectlysatisfiedthen，butheishereagainto-nighttoseeHenry，andhe=20nevervisitsanywhereinanordinaryway。\"
\"Areyouuneasyaboutme？\"Lessinghamenquired。
\"Iamnotsure，\"sheansweredfrankly。\"SometimesIamalmostterrifiedandwouldgiveanythingtohearthatyouwereonyourwayhome。AndatothertimesIrealisethatyouarereallyveryclever，thatnothingislikelytohappentoyou，andthattheplacewillseemdullerthaneverwhenyoudogo。\"
\"Thatisverykindofyou，\"hesaid。\"Inanycase，Ifearthatmyholidaywillsoonbecomingtoanend。\"
\"Yourholiday？\"sherepeated。\"Isthatwhatyoucallit？\"
\"Ithasbeenlittleelse，\"herepliedindifferently。\"Thereisnothingtobelearnthereoftheslightestmilitarysignificance。\"
\"Wetoldyouthatwhenyouarrived，\"Philipparemindedhim。
\"Iwasperhapsfoolishnottobelieveyou，\"heacknowledged。
\"Soyourveryexcitingjourneythroughthecloudshasendedinfailure，afterall！\"shewenton，amomentortwolater。
\"Failure？No，Ishouldnotcallitfailure。\"
\"Youhavereallymadesomediscoveries，then？\"sheenquireddubiously。
\"Ihavemadethegreatestdiscoveryintheworld。\"
Hereyebrowsweregentlyraised，thecornersofhermouthquivered，hereyesfell。
\"Dearme！Inthisquietspot？\"shesighed。
\"Yes！\"
\"IsitHelenorme？\"
\"Philippa！\"heprotested。
Hereyebrowsweremoreraisedthanever。Hermouthhadlostitsalluringcurve。
\"Really，Mr。Lessingham！\"sheexclaimed。\"HaveIevergivenyoutherighttocallmebymyChristianname？\"
\"Inmycountry，\"heanswered，\"wedonotwaittoask。Wetake。\"
\"RankPrussianism，\"shemurmured。\"Ireallythinkyouhadbettergobackthere。Youareadoptingtheirmethods。\"
\"Imayhavetoatanymoment，\"headmitted，\"ortosomemoredistantcountrystill。Iwantsomethingtotakebackwithme。\"
\"Youwantakeepsake，ofcourse，\"Philippadeclared，lookingaroundtheroom。\"Youcanhavemyphotograph-theoneoverthere。Helenwillgiveyouoneofhers，too，Iamsure，ifyouaskher。SheisjustasgratefultoyouaboutRichardasIam。\"
\"Butfromyou，\"hesaidearnestly，\"Iwantmorethangratitude。\"
\"Dearme，howpersistentyouare！\"Philippamurmured。\"Areyoureallydeterminedtomakelovetome？\"
\"Ah，don’tmockme！\"hebegged。\"WhatIamsayingtoyoucomesfrommyheart。\"
Philippalaughedathimquietly。Therewasjustalittlebreakinhervoice，however。
\"Don’theabsurd！\"
\"Thereisnothingabsurdaboutit，\"hereplied，withanoteofsadnessinhistone。\"Ifeltitfromthemomentwemet。Istruggledagainstit，butIhavefeltitgrowingdaybyday。Icameherewithmymindfilledwithdifferentpurposes。Ihadnothoughtofamusingmyself，nothoughtofseekingherethehappinesswhichuptillnowIseemtohavemissed。IcameasaservantbecauseIwassent，amechanicalbeing。Youhavechangedeverything。ForyouIfeelwhatIhaveneverfeltforanywomanbefore。Iplacebeforeyoumycareer，myfreedom，myhonour。\"
Philippasighedverysoftly。
\"Doyoumindringingthebell？\"shebegged。
\"Thebell？\"herepeated。\"Whatfor？\"
\"IwantHelentohearyou，\"sheconfided，withawonderfullittlesmile。
\"Philippa，don’tmockme，\"hepleaded。\"Ifthisisonlyamusementtoyou，tellmesoandletmegoaway。Itisthefirsttimeinmylifethatawomanhascomebetweenmeandmywork。Iamnolongermasterofmyself。Iamobsessedwithyou。Iwantnothingelseinlifebutyourlove。\"
TherewasanalmoststartlingchangeinPhilippa’sface。Thebanterwhichhadservedherwithsomucheffect，whichshehadrelieduponasherdefensiveweapon，wassuddenlyuseless。Lessinghamhadcreatedanatmospherearoundhim，anatmosphereofsincerity。
\"Areyouinearnest？\"shefaltered。
\"GodknowsIam！\"heinsisted。
\"You-youcareforme？\"
\"Somuch，\"heansweredpassionately，\"thatforyoursakeIwouldsacrificemyhonour，mycountry，mylife。\"
\"ButI’veonlyknownyouforsuchashorttime，\"Philippaprotested，\"andyou’reanenemy。\"
\"Idiscardmybirth。Irenouncemyadoptedcountry，\"hedeclaredfiercely。\"Youhavesweptmylifeclearofeveryscrapofambitionandpatriotism。Youhavefilleditwithonethingonly-agreat，consuminglove。\"
\"Haveyouforgottenmyhusband？\"
\"DoyouthinkthatifhehadbeenadifferentsortofmanIshouldhavedaredtospeak？Askyourselfhowyoucancontinuetolivewithhim？Youcancallhimwhichyouwill。Bothareequallydisgraceful。Yourheartknowsthetruth。Heiseitheracowardoraphilanderer。\"
Philippa’scheeksweresuddenlywhite。Hereyesflashed。Hiswordshadstunghertothequick。
\"Acoward？\"sherepeatedfuriously。\"YoudaretocallHenrythat？\"
Lessinghamroseabruptlytohisfeet。Hemovedrestlesslyabouttheroom。Hisfistswereclenched，histonethickwithpassion。
\"Ido！\"hepronounced。\"Philippa，lookatthismatterwithoutprejudice。Doyoubelievethatthereisasinglemanofanycountry，ofyourhusband’sageandrank，whowouldbecontenttotrawltheseasforfishwhilsthiscountry’sbloodisbeingdraineddry？Whowouldweighacodling，\"headded，pointingscornfullytothescales，\"whilstthefuneralmarchofheroesisbeatingthroughouttheworld？
Thethingisinsensate，impossible！\"
Philippa’sheaddrooped。Herhandswerenervouslyintertwined。
\"Don’t！\"shepleaded，\"Ihavesufferedsomuch。\"
\"Forgiveme，\"hebegged，withasuddenchangeofvoice。\"IfIammistakeninyourhusband-andthereisalwaysthechance-Iamsorry。IwillconfessthatImyselfhadadifferentopinionofhim，butIcanonlyjudgefromwhatIhaveseenandfromthatthereisnooneintheworldwhowouldnotagreewithmethatyourhusbandisunworthyofyou。\"
\"Oh，pleasestop！\"Philippacried。\"Stopatonce！\"
Lessinghamcamebacktohisplacebyherside。Hisvoicewasstillshaking，butithadgrownverysoft。
\"Philippa，forgiveme，\"herepeated。\"Ifyouonlyknewhowithurtstoseeyoulikethis！YetImustspeak。Thereisjustonceineveryman’slifetimewhenhemusttellthetruth。Thattimehascomewithme-Iloveyou。\"
\"Sodoesmyhusband，\"shemurmured。
\"Iwillonlyremindyou，then，thatheshowsitinstrangefashion，\"
Lessinghamcontinued。\"Hesetsyourwishesatdefiance。Hewhoshouldbeanexampleinasmallplacelikethis，isonlyanobjectofcontemptintheneighbourhood。EvenI，whohaveonlylivedhereforsoshortatime，havecaughttheburdenofwhatpeoplesay。\"
Philippawipedhereyes。
\"Please，doyoumind，\"shebegged，\"notsayinganythingmoreaboutHenry。YouareonlyremindingmeofthingswhichItryallthetimetoforget。\"
\"Believeme，\"Lessinghamansweredwistfully，\"Iamonlytoocontenttoignorehim，toforgetthatheexists，torememberonlythatyouarethewomanwhohaschangedmylife。\"
Philippalookedathiminsomethinglikedismay，ratherlikeachildwhohasstartedanenginewhichshehasnoideahowtostop。
\"Butyoumustnot-youmustnottalktomelikethis！\"
Hishandcloseduponhers。Itlayinhisgrasp，unyielding，cold，yetpassive。
\"Whynot？\"hewhispered。\"Ihavetheoneunalterableright，andI
amwillingtopaythegreatprice。\"
\"Right？\"shefaltered。
\"Therightoflovingyou-therightoflovingyoubetterthananywomanintheworld。\"
Therewasaqueersilence，onlypartlydue，asshewasinstantlyaware，totheemotionofthemoment。Adoorbehindthemhadopened。
Philippa’squickersenseshadrecognisedherhusband’sfootsteps。
Lessinghamrosedeliberatelytohisfeet。Inhishearthewelcomedtheinterruption。Thismight，perhaps，bethedecisivemoment。SirHenrywasstrollingtowardsthem。Hismannerandhistone，however，werealikegood-natured。
\"Iwastoorderyouintothebilliardroom，Mr。Lessingham，\"heannounced。\"Sinclairhasbeensentfor-anightroutemarch，orsomesuchhorror-andtheywantyoutomakeafour。\"
Lessinghamhesitated。Hehadapassionateinclinationtofacethesituation，totellthismanthetruth。SirHenry’scourteousindifference，however，waslikeaharrier。Herecognisedtheinevitable。
\"IamafraidIamratheroutofpractice，\"hesaid，\"butIshallbedelightedtodomybest。\"
CHAPTERXIV
SirHenrywasobviouslynotinthebestoftempers。Foramild-manneredandeasy-goingman，hisexpressionwasscarcelynormal。
\"Thatfellowwasmakinglovetoyou，\"hesaidbluntly，assoonasthedoorwasclosedbehindLessingham。
Philippalookedupatherhusbandwithanairofpleasantcandour。
\"Hewasdoingitverynicely，too，\"sheadmitted。
\"Youmeantosaythatyoulethim？\"
\"Ilistenedtowhathehadtosay，\"sheconfessed。\"Itdidn’toccurtoyou，Isuppose，\"herhusbandremarked，withsomewhatstrainedsarcasm，\"thatyouwereanotherman’swife？\"
\"Iamdoingmybesttoforgetthatfact，\"Philipparemindedhim。
\"Isee！Andheistohelpyou？\"
\"Possibly。\"
SirHenry’sirritationwasfastmergingintoanger。
\"Ishallturnthefellowoutofthehouse，\"hedeclared。
Philippashruggedhershoulders。
\"Whydon’tyou？\"
Heseatedhimselfonthecouchbyhiswife’sside。\"Lookhere，Philippa，don’tlet’swrangle，\"hebegged。\"I’mafraidyou’llhavetomakeupyourmindtoseeagooddeallessofyourfriendLessingham，anyway。\"
Philippa’sbrowswereknitted。Shewasconsciousofavagueuneasiness。
\"Really？Andwhy？\"
\"Foronething，\"herhusbandexplained，\"becauseIdon’tintendtohavehimhangingaboutmyhouseduringmyabsence。\"
\"Thebestwaytopreventthatwouldbenottogoaway，\"Philippasuggested。
\"Well，inallprobability，\"heannouncedguardedly，\"Iamnotgoingawayagain-atleastnotjustyet。\"
Philippa’smannersuddenlychanged。Shelaiddownherwork。Herhandrestedlightlyuponherhusband’sshoulder。
\"Youmeanthatyouaregoingtogiveupthosehorriblefishingexcursionsofyours？\"
\"ForthepresentIam，\"heassuredher。
\"Andareyougoingtodosomething-somework，Imean？\"sheaskedbreathlessly。
\"FortheimmediatepresentIamgoingtostayathomeandlookafteryou，\"hereplied。
Philippa’sfacefell。Hermannerbecamenotablycolder。
\"Youareverywise，\"shedeclared。\"Mr。Lessinghamisamostfascinatingperson。Weareallhalfinlovewithhim-evenHelen。\"
\"Thefellowmusthaveawaywithhim，\"SirHenryconcededgrudgingly。
\"Asarulethepeopleherearenotover-keenonstrangers，unlesstheyhaveimmediateconnectionsintheneighbourhood。EvenGriffiths，whosincetheymadehimCommandant，isamanofmanysuspicions，seemsinclinedtoaccepthim。\"
\"CaptainGriffithsdinedheretheothernight，\"Philipparemarked，\"andInoticedthatheandMr。Lessinghamseemedtogetonverywell。\"
\"Thefellow’sallrightinhisway，nodoubt，\"SirHenrybegan。
\"Ofcourseheis，\"Philippainterrupted。\"HelenlikeshimquiteasmuchasIdo。\"
\"DoeshemakelovetoHelen，too？\"SirHenryventured。
\"Don’ttalknonsense！\"Philipparetorted。\"Heisn’tthatsortofamanatall。Ifhehasmadelovetome，hehasdonesobecauseI
haveencouragedhim，andifIhaveencouragedhim，itisyourfault。\"
SirHenry，withanimpatientexclamation，rosefromhisplaceandtookacigarettefromanopenbox。
\"QuitetimeIstayedathome，Icansee。Allthesame，thefellow’sratherapuzzle。Ican’thelpwonderinghowhesucceededinmakingsuchaneasyconquestofaladywhohasscarcelybeennotoriousforherflirtations，andayoungwomanwhoismadlyinlovewithanotherman。Hehasn’t-\"
\"Hasn’twhat？\"
\"Hehasn’t，\"SirHenrycontinued，blowingoutthematchwhichhehadbeenholdingtohiscigaretteandthrowingitaway，\"beeninthepositionofbeingabletorenderyouorHelenanyservice，hashe？\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"Philippareplied，alittleuneasily。
\"There’snothingtounderstand，\"SirHenrywenton。\"Iwassimplytryingtofindsomeexplanationforhisveni，vidi，vici。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyouneedgoanyfurtherthanthefact，\"Philippaobserved，\"thatheiswell-bred，charmingandcompanionable。\"
\"Incidentally，\"SirHenryqueried，\"doyouhappentohavecomeacrossanyoneherewhoeverheardofhimbefore？\"
\"Idon’trememberanyone，\"Philippareplied。\"HewasatcollegewithRichard，youknow。\"
SirHenrynodded。
\"Ofcourse，that’sawonderfulintroductiontoyouandHelen，\"headmitted。\"Andby-the-by，thatremindsme，\"hewenton，\"Ineversawsuchachangeintwowomeninmylife，asinyouandHelen。
AfewweeksagoyouwerefrettingyourselvestodeathaboutDick。
Nowyoudon’tseemtomentionhim，youbothofyoulookasthoughyouhadn’tacareintheworld，andyetyousayyouhaven’theardfromhim。Uponmyword，thisisgettingtobeahouseofmysteries！\"
\"TheonlymysteryinitthatIcansee，isyou，Henry，\"shedeclared。
\"Me？\"heprotested。\"I’moneofthesimplest-mindedfellowsalive。
Whatistheremysteriousaboutme？\"
\"Yourignominiouslife，\"wasthecoldreply。
\"Jove，Igotitthattime！\"hegroaned，-\"gotitintheneck！Butdidn’tItellyoujustnowthatIwasturningoveranewleaf？\"
\"Thenproveit，\"Philippapleaded。\"LetmewritetoRaytonandbeghimtousehisinfluencetogetyousomethingtodo。Iamsureyouwouldbehappier，andIcan’ttellyouwhatadifferenceitwouldmaketome。\"
\"It’sthatindoorworkIcouldn’tstick，oldthing，\"heconfided。
\"Youknow，they’resayingallthetimeit’sayoungman’swar。
They’dmakemetakesomeone’splaceathomebehindadesk。\"=20
\"Buteveniftheydid，\"sheprotested，\"eveniftheyputyouinacoalcellar，wouldn’tyoubehappiertofeelthatyouwerehelpingyourcountry？Wouldn’tyoubegladtoknowthatIwashappier？\"
SirHenrymadeawryface。
\"Itseemstomethatyouroutlookisatriflesuperficial，dear，\"
hegrumbled。\"However-nowwhatthedickensisthematter？\"
ThedoorhadbeenopenedbyMills，withhisusualsmoothness，butJimmyDumble，outofbreathandexcited，pushedhiswayintotheroom。
\"Hullo？Whatisit，Jimmy？\"hispatrondemanded。
\"Begyourpardon，sir，\"wasthealmostincoherentreply。\"I’verunallthewayup，andthere’sararewindblowing。There’soneofour-ourtrawlerslyingoffthePoint，andshe’ssentupthreegreenandsixyellowballs。\"
\"Whiting，byGod！\"SirHenryexclaimed。
\"Whiting！\"Philipparepeated，inagoniseddisgust。\"Whatdoesthismean，Henry？\"
\"Itmustbeashoal，\"herhusbandexplained。\"Itmeansthatwe’vegottogetamongstthemquick。IstheIdadownonthebeach，Jimmy？\"
\"Shethereallright，sir，\"wasthesomewhatdoubtfulreply，\"butus’llhaveararejobtogetaway，sir。Thattherenor’easterisblowinggreatgunsagainandit’sacrueltide。\"
\"We’vegottogetoutsomehow，\"SirHenrydeclared。\"Mills，myoilskinsandflaskatonce。Isha’n’tchangeathing，butyoumightbringacardiganjacketandthewhiskyandsoda。\"
Millswithdrew，alittledazed。Philippa，whosefingerswereclenchedtogether，foundhertongueatlast。
\"Henry！\"sheexclaimedfuriously。
\"Whatisit，mydear？\"
\"Doyoumeantotellmethatafteryourpromise，\"shecontinued，\"afterwhatyouhavejustsaid，youarestartingoutto-nightforanotherfishingexpedition？\"
\"Whiting，mydear，\"SirHenryexplained。\"Onecan’tpossiblymisswhiting。Wherethedevilaremykeys？-Heretheyare。Nowthen。\"
Hesatdownbeforehisdesk，tooksomepapersfromthetopdrawer，rummagedaboutforamomentortwoinanother，andfoundwhatseemedtobeacoupleofchartsinoilskincases。Allthetimethewindwasshakingthewindows，andastormofrainwasbeatingagainstthepanes。
