There was a gleam of amusement in Helen’s eyes.  “So you imagined she wasn’t interested!  Well, you can tell her about Bob’s losses and farming troubles.  You understand these matters, and it will save me something.”

Festing made a sign of agreement and Helen went with him to the terrace, where Mrs. Dalton told him when he would find them at home if he wished to come again.  He was glad to leave because he thought the interview had been difficult for Helen, but her mother had made him feel that if he came back he would be welcome.  This was not altogether conventional politeness; he imagined she wanted to see him, although she was obviously willing to let him go then.

He puzzled about it and other matters as he rode back.  Helen Dalton was finer than her picture.  He had, no doubt, been awkward and had hurt her by his clumsiness, while she had got a painful shock, but had borne it with unflinching pluck.  Her calm had not deceived him, since he knew what it cost, and her smile had roused his pity because it was so brave.  Then his anger against Charnock returned with extra force.  The fellow, as usual, had shirked his duty, and left him to tell the girl he had really given her up because he meant to marry somebody else.  Festing thought she was too just to blame him for Bob’s fault, but he had been forced to witness her humiliation, and she would, no doubt, avoid him because of this.  Well, he had done with Bob, although he would see him once on his return and tell him what he thought.

Then he heard a shout and saw a farmer trying to move a loaded cart out of his way.  He had not noticed that he was riding furiously down a hill, but he sped past the cart upon the grassy margin of the road and laughed as he went on.  His mood had changed and he resolved that he would go back to the creeper-covered house when Helen had had time to recover and his society would be less disturbing.  After all, Mrs. Dalton had told him he might come.

In the evening he walked up and down the terrace with Muriel, and told her why he had gone to Knott Scar, although he was satisfied with relating Charnock’s financial troubles and said nothing about his engagement to Sadie.  He could not say that Muriel actually led him on, but he felt that she would be disappointed if he did not take her into his confidence.

“Of course I saw you knew all about it,” she said when he stopped.  “Besides, I expected that Helen would give you leave to tell me.  It would make things easier for her and be more authentic.”

“I should expect Miss Dalton to think of that.”

Muriel smiled.  “Perhaps not.  Well, I imagine it’s lucky Charnock released her; Helen is much too good for him.  I suppose you thought you took the proper line in laying all the stress you could upon the hardships?”

“I did.  I thought she couldn’t stand the strain she would have had to bear.”

“How did she take that?”