When the squire came down they were all chatting amicably round the fire, and he smiled swift approval upon his wife ere he turned to greet his guests.

“Hullo, Dick!” he said, as their hands met.  “Still running the same old show?”

“For the present, sir,” said Dick.

They had not met since the occasion of Dick’s and Juliet’s marriage when the squire had come over immediately before the sailing of the Night Moth to be present, and to give her away.  He had been very kind to them both during the brief hour that he had spent with them, and the memory of it still lingered warmly in Juliet’s heart.  She had grown very fond of the squire.

There were no awkward moments during that dinner which was more like a family gathering than Juliet had thought possible.  The change in Vera amazed her.  She was like a traveller who after long and weary journeying in shady places had come suddenly into bright sunshine.  And she was younger, more ardent, more alive, than Juliet had ever seen her.

The same change was visible, though not so noticeable, in the squire.  He too had come into the sun, but he trod more warily as one who—­though content with the present—­was by no means certain that the fair weather would last.  His manner to his wife displayed a charming blend of tenderness and self-restraint; yet in some fashion he held his own with her, and once, meeting Juliet’s eyes, he smiled in a way that reminded her of the day on which she had dared to give him advice as to the best means of securing happiness.

Dick was apparently in good spirits that night, and he was plainly at his ease.  Having taken his cue from his hostess, he devoted himself in a large measure to her entertainment, and all went smoothly between them.  When she and Juliet left the table she gave him a smiling invitation to come and play to them.

“I haven’t brought the old banjo,” he said, “but I’ll make my wife sing.  She is going to help me this winter at the Club concerts.”

“Brave Juliet!” said Vera, as she went out.  “I wouldn’t face that crowd of roughs for a king’s ransom.”

“She has nothing to be afraid of,” said Dick with quick confidence.  “I wouldn’t let her do it if there were any danger.”

“They seem to be in an ugly mood just now,” said the squire.

“Yes, I know.”  Dick turned back to him, closing the door.  “But, taken the right way, they are still manageable.  There is just a chance that we may keep them in hand if that fellow Ivor Yardley can be induced to see reason.  The rest of the Wilchester crew don’t care a damn, but he has more brains.  I’m counting on him.”

“How are you going to get hold of him?” questioned Fielding.

“I suppose I must go up to town some week-end.  I haven’t told Juliet yet.  Unlike the average woman, she seems to have a holy hatred of London and all its ways.  So I presume she will stay behind.”