Nigel thought what a pity that was. If she had, she would not have come to the party; things might have been tided over. But now. ... He had no hope of the wish of his life, he was as furious as a spoilt child who is deprived of a favourite toy--or, rather, disappointed of all hopes of getting one. He became more and more angry with Percy and longed to annoy him. The fellow was too satisfied--too lucky--he had everything too much his own way! "May I ask one thing?" said Nigel, as the letters were burning and he gave them one last irritated touch with the poker, "may I ask, does this affair give you the impression that I--only I naturally--had any--er--motives in trying to see Mrs. Kellynch often? If I may put it plainly, did you think I cared for her in a way that I had no right to?" "To tell you the honest truth," said Percy, "as I choose to be frank with you, I won't say you had ... motives, but I have the impression that you--er--admire her too much." Nigel waited a moment. "And there you are perfectly right, Kellynch." Percy started up, looking a little pale. * * * * * Nigel had got a little of his revenge. He had annoyed the comfortable Percy. "But let me say that all this time I have never, never shown it by word or look. Our talks were almost entirely about Madeline Irwin and my brother, or about Rupert Denison. Your wife is so exceedingly kind and good that she wished to see Miss Madeline as happy as herself." "Yes, yes, I know all that," said Percy impatiently. "I shall follow your wishes to the very letter," said Nigel. "You see how very open I've been. How will you explain to her that I drop your acquaintance?" "I think I shall tell her now," said Percy, "that I had received a letter and that I've seen you. But I shall tell her we parted the best of friends, and nothing must be done, above all things, to annoy or agitate her." He looked at the closed leather case again. "Just now I want to take special care of her. I daresay she won't notice not meeting you, as we're not going out in the evening the rest of the season nor entertaining." Nigel looked amazed. An idea occurred to him that caused him absurd mortification. It dawned upon his mind that perhaps Bertha was going to have her wish. If so, he would be forgotten more completely than ever. "Forgive me for asking, Kellynch. I think you've been very good to me, really. I trust your wife is not ill?" "Ill?--oh dear, no." Percy smiled a smile that to Nigel seemed maddeningly complacent. "She merely wants a little care for a time. We shall go to the country very early this year. As a matter of fact, it's something she's very pleased about." He stopped. Nigel gave a pale smile. Percy was too irritating! "Well, you were right not to worry her about the letters. I'm very sorry for the whole thing. I think it's been hard on me, Kellynch." He stood up. "Good-bye, Hillier!" Nigel held out his hand; Percy shook it coldly.