"Just the sort of thing she _would_ do! I hate Mrs Olliver! Always spying on me; and I dare say she won't believe the truth even now. But I won't have her talking to _Theo_ about me, whatever she may imagine." "You know her very little if you think she could do that," Honor answered quietly. "She only spoke to me because she fancies I have influence with you. But that seems to be over now. You have chosen to go your own way. It is a very dangerous way. However, I can say nothing more on the subject." Evelyn choked back her rising tears. "Honor, can't you _see_ that--that I'm frightened and miserable about Theo, and I must have something to help me forget? It's no use trying to make _you_ understand how it feels to have him away up there--always in danger----" Honor started and flushed. "Indeed, dear, I do understand," she answered, not quite steadily. Evelyn shook her head. "You think you do, but you can't really. I know you are great friends with him, and you'd be very sorry if--if anything happened. But it's ever so much worse for me, because I am--his wife. Now I must go and write to him about all this." And Honor, left alone, leaned back in her chair, hiding her face in her hands. "God forgive me!" she murmured. "How dare _I_ find fault with her, blessed child that she is!" CHAPTER XXI. I AM YOURS. "I knew thee strong and quiet--like the hills; I knew thee apt to pity, brave to endure." --R. L. S. Paul Wyndham's hopes were on the ascendant at last. After a full year of waiting, he saw himself drawing steadily nearer to his hour of reward. He studied Honor Meredith as a man only studies that on which his life's happiness depends; and during the past few weeks he had become aware of a mysterious change in the girl's bearing. Her beauty--which had seemed to him so complete--was now unmistakably enhanced by some transformation within. Her whole nature seemed to have become more highly sensitised. Her colour came and went upon the least provocation; her frank friendliness was veiled by a shy reserve, that had in it no hint of coldness; and, more significant than all, her eyes no longer met his own with that disconcerting directness of gaze which had sealed his lips when they were upon the verge of speech. For all his modesty, Wyndham could not fail to interpret these signs according to his heart's desire; and when, on the night of Evelyn's accident, Honor promised him an early ride, prefaced by _chota hazri_[26] in the verandah, he told himself that he need wait no longer--that the great moment of his life had come at last. [26] Early breakfast.