That smile cheered Scott more than any words. He recognized moreover that the delicate touch of reserve that characterized her speech was the first evidence of returning self-control that she had manifested. He took out his cigarette-case again. "I hope you haven't found me over-presumptuous," he said. Dinah reached up a trembling hand. "Presumptuous for helping me in the Valley of Humiliation?" she said. He took the hand and held it firmly. "I am so used to it myself," he said, in a low voice. "I ought to know a little about it." "Perhaps," said Dinah thoughtfully, "that is what makes you great." He raised his shoulders slightly. "You have always seen me through a magnifying-glass," he said whimsically. "Some day the fates will reverse that glass and then you will be unutterably shocked." Dinah smiled again and shook her head. "I know you," she said. He lighted his cigarette, and then brought out a pocket-book. "I want to write a note to Isabel," he said. "You don't mind?" "About me?" questioned Dinah. "About the arrangements I am making. She is motoring to Great Mallowes in any case to catch the afternoon express." "Oh!" said Dinah, and coloured vividly, painfully. Scott did not see. "I can get someone at the farm to take the message," he said. "And when once you are with Isabel I shall feel easy about you." "And--and--my--mother?" faltered Dinah. "I shall write to her this afternoon while we are waiting for Isabel," said Scott quietly. "What--shall you say?" whispered Dinah. "Do you mind leaving that entirely to me?" he said. "She will be--furious," she murmured. "She might--out of revenge come after us. What then?" "She will certainly not do that," said Scott, "as she will not know your address. Besides, people do not remain furious, you know. They cool down, and then they are generally ashamed of themselves. Don't let us talk about your mother!" "The de Vignes then," said Dinah, turning from the subject with relief. "Tell me what happened! Was the Colonel very angry?" Scott's mouth twitched slightly. "Not in the least," he said. "Not really!" Dinah looked incredulous for a moment; then: "Perhaps he thinks there is a fresh chance for Rose," she said. "Perhaps he does," agreed Scott dryly. "In any case, he is more disposed to smile than frown, and as Eustace wasn't there to see it, it didn't greatly matter." "Oh, poor Eustace!" she whispered. "It--was dreadful to hurt him so." "I think he will get over it," Scott said. "He was much--kinder--than--than I deserved," she murmured. Scott's faint smile reappeared. "Perhaps he found it difficult to be anything else," he said. She shook her head. "I wonder--how I came to make--such a dreadful mistake." "It wasn't your fault," said Scott. She looked at him quickly. "What makes you say that?"