There is a ring of genuine feeling in her tone, not to be mistaken.  She is glad at the thought of her husband’s return.  Marryatt, recognising that ring, sinks into a chair with a groan.  Oh, heavens!  How he has pranced after that woman for fully twelve months, dancing attendance upon her, fulfilling her commands, and all the time her heart was filled with the face of this abominable Jack!

Presently, on the first moment, indeed, when he can do so with any decency, he leaves Miss Knollys’ house a sadder, and most decidedly a wiser, man!

“Am I to sympathize with you?” asks Gower, in a low, expressive voice, as Mrs. Chichester sweeps towards him.

She laughs.

“Pouf!” says she, making light of his little impertinence.  “You’re out of it altogether.  Why, I’m glad he’s coming home.  You’ve mistaken me.”

“I knew it.  I felt it all along,” cries Gower enthusiastically.  “It is you who have mistaken me.  When I mentioned the word ’sympathy’—­ah!” rapturously, “that was sympathy with your joy!”

“Was it?  You ought to do it again,” says Mrs. Chichester; “and before the glass next time. Practise it.  However, I’m too happy to give you the lesson you deserve.  I can tell you Jack isn’t half bad.  I like him better, any way, than any man I ever met in my life, and that’s saying a lot.  Of course,” candidly, “I doubt if I could ever like any man as well as myself; but I confess I run it very close with Jack.”

“Naturally.  ‘We all love Jack,’” quotes Mr. Gower in a sort of ecstasy.

“But for all that, I must have my little fling sometimes,” says Jack’s wife, with a delightful smile, that makes her look thinner than ever.

“Quite so,” says Gower.

They both laugh—­a good healthy laugh; and, indeed, the vulgar expression coming from her does not sound so bad as it might.  There are some people who, when they say a queer thing, set one’s teeth on edge; and there are others who, when they use the same words, raise only a smile.  As yet, there is much injustice in the world.

Margaret is standing in a distant window, talking in an undertone to Colonel Neilson, and Gower is now teasing Minnie Hescott, when once again the door is thrown open and Sir Maurice comes in.

“Another surprise packet!” says Gower faintly.  “Miss Hescott, you know everything. Are there more to come?  I’m not strong; my heart is in a bad state.  Pray, pray give me a gentle word of warning if——­”

“Isn’t he looking well!” says Minnie excitedly.

Sir Maurice is indeed looking very handsome as he comes up the room.  It brings a mutual smile to Margaret and Colonel Neilson’s lips as they note the extreme care with which he has got himself up for the visit to—­his wife!

He is holding his head very high, and the flower in his button-hole has evidently been chosen with great care.  He shakes hands with Margaret first, of course, and with Tita last.  She is sitting near Mrs. Chichester, and she gives him her hand without looking at him.  She has grown a little white.