“I shan’t alarm you,” he said.  “I shan’t even ask you to answer me, much less to treat me kindly.  But you’ve got to hear me, that’s all.  I’m not telling you for my own sake, only because Luke has ordained that you must know.  I daresay you thought it strange that I should have come back so soon.  It probably made you wonder.”

“It did,” said Anne, in a low voice.

“I knew it would.”  A note of grim satisfaction sounded in the rejoinder.  He jerked his head a little with a touch of the old arrogance.  “Well, I am here to explain.  I knew the odds were dead against me when I started—­as they are to-day.  All the same you are to understand that I came back when I did because I had just heard that you were free and I was mad enough to dream that in spite of everything I should one day persuade you to marry me.”

He paused an instant, but he kept his eyes upon the water as if he were reading something in the crystal depths.

Anne still waited beside him, her hands clasped tightly upon her drooping flowers.

He continued very rapidly, as though he wished to have done.  “That was my true reason for coming back.  I don’t know if I deceived you any on that point.  I tried to.  But anyway I didn’t manage to deceive Lucas.  He sees most things.  He knows for instance that I—­care for you”—­almost angrily he flung the words—­“and he thinks you ought to know it, in case”—­his lips twisted into a queer smile—­“you care for me.  It’s a preposterous idea anyway.  I’ve told him so.  But he won’t be easy till I’ve given you the chance to trample on me.  Guess he thinks I owe you that.  Maybe I do.  Well—­you have your opportunity.”

“Do you think I want—­that?” Anne said, her voice very low.

His hands clenched.  “I can’t say,” he said.  “Most women would.  But—­if you want to know—­I’d sooner be trampled.  I’ve promised I’ll play the straight game, and I’m playing it.  I’m telling you the raw truth.  I love you.  I have it in me to make you know it.  But—­”

“But you love Lucas better” she said.

He nodded.  “Just that.  Also, Lucas is a good man.  He will set your happiness first all his life.  While I—­while I”—­he stooped a little, still staring downwards as if he watched something—­“while I, Lady Carfax,” he said, speaking very quietly, “might possibly succeed in making you happy, but it wouldn’t be the same thing.  You would have to live my life—­not I yours.  I am not like Lucas.  I shouldn’t be satisfied with—­a little.”

“And you think that is all I can offer him?” she said.

He made a sharp gesture of repudiation.  “I have no theories on that subject.  I believe you would satisfy him.  I believe—­ultimately—­you would both find the happiness we are all hunting for.”

“And you?” Anne said, her voice very low.

He straightened himself with a backward fling of the shoulders, but still he did not look at her.  “I, Lady Carfax!” he said grimly.  “I don’t fit into the scheme of things anyway.  I was just pitchforked into your life by an accident.  It’s for you to toss me out again.”