“Ronnie!” said Baring; and for the first time he looked contemptuous.

Hope sighed.

“It’s quite my own fault,” she said humbly.  “If I hadn’t—­”

“Pardon me!  It is not your fault,” he interrupted grimly.  “It is iniquitous that a girl like you should be left in such a place as this entirely without protection.  Have you a revolver?”

Hope looked startled.

“Oh, no!” she said.  “If I had, I should never dare to use it, even if I knew how.”

Baring looked at her, still frowning.

“I think you are braver than that,” he said.

Hope flushed vividly, and rose.

“No,” she said, a note of defiance in her voice.  “I’m a miserable coward, Major Baring.  But no one knows it but you and, perhaps, one other.  So I hope you won’t give me away.”

Baring did not smile.

“Who else knows it?” he asked.

Hope met his eyes steadily.  She was evidently resolved to be weak no longer.

“It doesn’t matter, does it?” she said.

He did not answer her; and again she had a feeling that he was offended.

There was a considerable pause before he spoke again.  He seemed to be revolving something in his mind.  Then at last, abruptly, he began to talk upon ordinary topics, and at once she felt more at her ease with him.  They sat by the window after that for the best part of an hour; till, in fact, the return of her brother put an end to their tete-a-tete.

By those who were least intimate with the Carteret twins it was often said that in feature they were exactly alike.  Those who knew them better saw no more than a very strong resemblance in form and colouring, but it went no farther.  In expression they differed utterly.  The boy’s face lacked the level-browed honesty that was so conspicuous in the girl’s.  His mouth was irresolute.  His eyes were uncertain.  Yet he was a good-looking boy, notwithstanding these defects.  He had a pleasant laugh and winning manner, and was essentially kind-hearted, if swift to take offence.

He came in through the window, walking rather heavily, and halted just inside the room, blinking, as if the light dazzled him.  Baring gave him a single glance that comprehended him from head to foot, and rose from his chair.

Again it seemed to Hope that she saw contempt upon his face; and a rush of indignation checked the quick words of welcome upon her lips.

Her brother spoke first, and his words sounded rather slurred, as if he had been running.

“Hullo!” he said.  “Here you are!  Don’t get up!  I expected to find you!”

He addressed Baring, who replied instantly, and with extreme emphasis: 

“That I am sure you did not.”

Ronnie started, and put his hand to his eyes as if confused.

“Beg pardon,” he said, a moment later, in an odd tone of shame.  “I thought it was Hyde.  The light put me off.  It—­it’s Major Baring, isn’t it?”