Involuntarily, inevitably, their eyes met, and lingered in each other's depths. It was their first real greeting since his return; and they felt it as such. It was the first time also that Desmond had seen her completely since his lightning-flash of self-knowledge; and in the same instant the same thought sprang to both their minds--that, in the past three weeks, the detested shade had served them better than they knew. For a full minute it seemed as if these two, whose courage was above proof, did not dare risk movement or speech. But it was no more than a minute. Each was incapable of suspecting the other's hidden fear; and now, as always, Evelyn was the foremost thought in the minds of both. Desmond broke the spell by one step forward. "I want Ladybird," he said abruptly. "Where is she?" "I'm sorry. She has just gone out; but she won't be long." Honor knew what must come next; knew also that she could neither lie to him nor tell him the truth. "What possessed her to go out again? Do you know where she went?" "Yes, Theo, I do know," she answered, coming into the room, and speaking with a noble directness that was like a light thrown across tortuous ways. "It was unavoidable. I would rather not say any more. You can trust me, can't you?" "As I trust God and my own soul," he replied with profound conviction. "Did she seem--much upset?" "Yes,--terribly upset. Not without reason. She told me everything. May I speak of it, Theo? You won't think me--intrusive?" He gave her a quick, reproachful glance. "_You?_ Say what you please. I was a brute to her; and I know it. But I swear I wasn't hard on her till she refused to break with Kresney. Did she give you any sort of reason for that?" "Yes; and I have quite cleared up the difficulty; though I'm afraid you mustn't ask me how." "You seem hedged about with mysteries this evening," he remarked, a trifle curtly. "I confess I like daylight, and straight roads." "Not more than I do, Theo. But you have said you can trust me; and at least I can assure you that there was no question of personal reluctance. Whatever Evelyn's failings may be, I know that _you_ are the one big thing in her life." Desmond compressed his lips, and looked down thoughtfully at the bearskin under his feet; while Honor allowed her eyes to dwell on the goodly lines of his face. Then he squared his shoulders and looked up at her. "Honor--if that is true--and I think it is--you are bound to let me help her by the only means in my power. Give me back that promise of mine. I am strong enough now to tackle the subject; and I warn you fairly that I mean to have my own way. So don't waste time by beating about the bush." The unexpected attack unbalanced her, and the blood left her face; but there was no hint of yielding in her eyes. They were equally matched these two--strength for strength; will for will. The ultimate victory might rest with either. "Theo!" she protested, "you can ask that of me--to-day?"