A little later, Lady Dunstane questioned Redworth, and he smoothed her apprehensions, delivering himself, much to her comfort, thus:  ’In no case would any lady’s name have been raised.  The whole affair was nonsensical.  He’s a capital fellow of a kind, capable of behaving like a man of the world and a gentleman.  Only he has, or thinks he has, like lots of his countrymen, a raw wound—­something that itches to be grazed.  Champagne on that! . . .  Irishmen, as far as I have seen of them, are, like horses, bundles of nerves; and you must manage them, as you do with all nervous creatures, with firmness, but good temper.  You must never get into a fury of the nerves yourself with them.  Spur and whip they don’t want; they’ll be off with you in a jiffy if you try it.

They want the bridle-rein.  That seems to me the secret of Irish character.  We English are not bad horsemen.  It’s a wonder we blunder so in our management of such a people.’

‘I wish you were in a position to put your method to the proof,’ said she.

He shrugged.  ‘There’s little chance of it!’

To reward him for his practical discretion, she contrived that Diana should give him a final dance; and the beautiful gill smiled quickly responsive to his appeal.  He was, moreover, sensible in her look and speech that he had advanced in her consideration to be no longer the mere spinning stick, a young lady’s partner.  By which he humbly understood that her friend approved him.  A gentle delirium enfolded his brain.  A householder’s life is often begun on eight hundred a year:  on less:  on much less:—­sometimes on nothing but resolution to make a fitting income, carving out a fortune.  Eight hundred may stand as a superior basis.  That sum is a distinct point of vantage.  If it does not mean a carriage and Parisian millinery and a station for one of the stars of society, it means at any rate security; and then, the heart of the man being strong and sound . . .

‘Yes,’ he replied to her, ’I like my experience of Ireland and the Irish; and better than I thought I should.  St. George’s Channel ought to be crossed oftener by both of us.’

‘I’m always glad of the signal,’ said Diana.

He had implied the people of the two islands.  He allowed her interpretation to remain personal, for the sake of a creeping deliciousness that it carried through his blood.

‘Shall you soon be returning to England?’ he ventured to ask.

‘I am Lady Dunstane’s guest for some months.’

’Then you will.  Sir Lukin has an estate in Surrey.  He talks of quitting the Service.’

‘I can’t believe it!’

His thrilled blood was chilled.  She entertained a sentiment amounting to adoration for the profession of arms!