“Without heiress-hunting?” said Alick, as though weighing his words.

“Come, Alick, you need not put on a mask that does not fit you!  If it is not too late, take the risk into consideration, for I own I think the price of your championship somewhat severe.”

“Ask Miss Williams.”

“Ermine is grateful for much kindness, and is—­yes—­really fond of her.”

“Then, Colonel, you ought to know that a sensible woman’s favourable estimate of one of her own sex outweighs the opinion men can form of her.”

“I grant that there are fine qualities; but, Alick, regarding you, as I must necessarily do, from our former relations, you must let me speak if there is still time to warn you, lest your pity and sense of injustice should be entangling you in a connexion that would hardly conduce to make you happy or popular.”

“Popularity is not my line,” said Alick, looking composedly into the fire.

“Tell me first,” said the puzzled Colonel, “are you committed?”

“No one can be more so.”

“Engaged!!!”

“I thought you would have known it from themselves; but I find she has forbidden her mother to mention it till she has seen me again.  And they talk of quiet, and shut me out!” gloomily added Alick.

The Colonel conceived a hope that the lady would abjure matrimony, and release this devoted knight, but in a few moments Alick burst out—­

“Absurd!  She cannot mend with anything on her mind!  If I could have seen Mrs. Curtis or Grace alone, they might have heard reason, but that old woman of a doctor was prosing about quiet and strain on the nerves.  I know that sort of quiet, the best receipt for distraction!”

“Well, Alick,” said his friend, smiling, “you have at least convinced me that your heart is in the matter.”

“How should it not be?” returned Alick.

“I was afraid it was only with the object of unjust vituperation.”

“No such thing.  Let me tell you, Colonel, my heart has been in it ever since I felt the relief of meeting real truth and unselfishness!  I liked her that first evening, when she was manfully chasing us off for frivolous danglers round her cousin!  I liked her for having no conventionalities, fast or slow, and especially for hating heroes!  And when my sister had helped to let her get into this intolerable web, how could I look on without feeling the nobleness that has never shifted blame from herself, but bowed, owned all, suffered—­suffered —­oh, how grievously!”

The Colonel was moved.  “With such genuine affection you should surely lead her and work upon her!  I trust you will be able.”

“It is less that,” said Alick, rather resentfully, “than sympathy that she wants.  Nobody ever gave her that except your Ermine!  By-the-bye, is there any news of the brother?”

Colonel Keith shook his head.  “I believe I shall have to go to Russia,” he said with some dejection.