But there would be nothing vague or shadowy about marriage with Trenby!  That Nan realised.  And, utterly weary of the persistent struggle in her heart, she felt that it might cut the whole tangle of her life once and for all if she passed through the strait and narrow gate of matrimony into the carefully shepherded fold beyond it.  After all, most women settled down to it in course of time, whether their husbands came up to standard or not.  If they didn’t, the majority of wives contrived to put up with the disappointment, and probably she herself would be so fully occupied with the putting up part of the business that she would not have much time in which to remember Peter.

But perhaps, had she known the inner thoughts of those women who have been driven into the “putting up” attitude towards their husbands, she would have realised that memories do not die so easily.

CHAPTER XI

GOING WITH THE TIDE

As Nan, who had reluctantly complied with Kitty’s stern decree that she must rest in bed during the greater part of the following day, at last descended from her room, she discovered, much to her satisfaction, that her ankle had ceased to pain her.  But she still felt somewhat stiff and sore after the knocking about of the previous day.

At dinner she was astonished to find that the house-party had decreased by one.  Ralph Fenton was absent.

“He left for town this morning, by the early train from St. Wennys Halt,” explained Kitty.  “He was—­was called away very suddenly,” she added blandly, in answer to Nan’s surprised enquiries.

A somewhat awkward pause ensued, then everybody rushed into conversation at once, so that Nan could only guess that some contretemps must have occurred between Penelope and the singer of which she was in ignorance.  As soon as dinner was at an end she manoeuvred Kitty into a corner and demanded an explanation.

“Why has Ralph gone away?” she asked.  “And why did you look so uncomfortable when I asked about him?  And why did Penelope blush?”

“Could I have them one at a time?” suggested Kitty mildly.

“You can have them combined into one.  Tell me, what’s been happening to-day?”

“Well, I gather that Ralph has been offering his hand and heart to Penelope.”

“It seems to be epidemic,” murmured Nan sotto voce.

“What did you say?”

“Only that it seems an odd proceeding for a newly-engaged young man to go careering off to London immediately.”

“But he isn’t engaged—­that’s just it.  Penelope refused him.”

“Refused him?  But—­but why?” asked Nan in amazement.

“You’d better ask her yourself.  Perhaps you can get some sense out of her—­since you appear to be the chief stumbling-block.”

“I?”

“Yes.  I saw Ralph before he went away.  He seemed very down on his luck, poor dear!  He’s been trying to persuade Penelope to say yes and to fix an early date for their wedding, as he’s got the offer of a very good short tour in America—­really thumping fees—­and he won’t accept it unless she’ll marry him first and go with him.”