“He’s very handsome, isn’t he?” said Daisy, smiling back not without a touch of malice.  “Who could help favouring such an Adonis?”

“Not you, I’m sure,” said Hunt-Goring, “or the charming Peggy either.  But I’m a little sorry for the red-haired doctor, you know.  I feel in a measure responsible for that tragedy.”

“The responsibility was mine,” said Daisy gravely.

He turned his lazy eyes upon her.  “Ah, to be sure!  You wanted an excuse to procure that young man his conge, I believe.  I hope you realize that you are in my debt for just so much as the excuse was worth.”

Daisy made a quick movement of exasperation.  “Do you never give women credit for being sincere?” she said.

“Only when they are angry,” said Hunt-Goring, taking out his cigarette-case.  “Now join me, won’t you?  Sincerity is such a heating quality.  I shouldn’t cultivate it if I were you.”

But Daisy declined somewhat curtly.  It was quite evident that her patience was wearing very thin.

Hunt-Goring did not press her.  He smiled and subsided with obvious indifference.  Perhaps he deemed it wiser not to try her too far, or perhaps he lacked the energy to pursue the matter.

He had taken to spending most of his time on the verandah, smoking his endless cigarettes and dreamily watching the world go by.  He seemed almost to have forgotten that he was a guest, and, her exasperation notwithstanding, Daisy could not bring herself to remind him of the fact.  For the man was changed.  Day after day she realized it more and more clearly.  Day after day it seemed to her that he dropped a little deeper into his sea of lethargy.  His interest flagged so quickly where once it had been keen.  He grew daily older while she watched.  And a curious pity for him kept her from actively disliking him, although his power to attract her was wholly gone.  She found herself bearing with him simply because he cared so little.

It was quite otherwise with Noel, who was frankly disgusted to find himself confronted with him on the following morning when, true to his promise, he made his appearance with Peggy’s mount.  Hunt-Goring was just preparing to establish himself on the verandah when Noel came striding along it in search of his small playmate.  They so nearly collided in fact that it was impossible for either to overlook the other’s presence.

Noel drew back sharply with his quick scowl.  They had not met since the evening on which he had so furiously challenged him to battle on Olga’s behalf.  For Olga’s sake, and perhaps a little in deference to Max’s warning, he had refrained from following up the challenge, but he was more than ready to do so even yet; and his attitude said as much as he stood aside in glowering silence for the other man to pass.

Hunt-Goring however was plainly in a genial mood.  He paused to bestow his smiling scrutiny upon the young officer.  “Let me see!  Surely we have met before?”