’I may as well tell you the whole truth,’ said the Captain. ’You are in the midst of cross purposes, and do not understand the game. It is only fair that I should give you your orientation. I always admired Orange; she is a handsome, genial girl, somewhat brusque and wanting in polish, but good-hearted. I called a good deal at Dolbeare, not only to see her, but to keep Mr. Trampleasure in good humour. I am a man of very small income and with good position in the county, which I am expected to live up to. I have been pinched for money, and I wanted Mr. Trampleasure to advance me a loan. So I got on intimate terms with the family, and, somehow, he made my prospects contingent on my taking Orange as wife. Then the sum I wanted would be given as her dower. You understand. Well, being a light-hearted, giddy young fellow, I fell into the arrangement, and all went smoothly enough till you came.’ Mirelle gasped for breath. She put her hand to the window. ’You want air,’ said the Captain. ’I will let down the glasses.’ Mirelle thanked him with a bend of the head; she could not speak. A great terror had come over her. ’When you came,’ continued Trecarrel, ’then I woke to the fact that I had never loved Orange. I had admired her beauty as I might admire a well-built horse or spaniel, but my heart had not been touched.’ ’Oh, Mr. Trecarrel!’ exclaimed Mirelle, putting her white fingers together, ’let me out of the carriage. I must walk; I shall faint; I feel very ill.’ ’Dear Mirelle—you will let me call you Mirelle?—you must not walk; you are not strong enough.’ ’I pray you! I pray you!’ Then he stopped the coach, opened the door, and had the steps lowered. ’The lady is faint. Go slowly, coachman. She wishes to walk a little way.’ Then he helped Mirelle to alight, and pressed her fingers as he did so, and looked at her tenderly out of his beautiful blue eyes. ’No,’ she said, as he offered her his arm, ’I must walk alone. The road is rough. I shall be better presently. The carriage jolts.’ ’You cannot walk,’ answered the Captain; ’I see that you have not the strength. I insist on your taking my arm, or stepping back into the carriage. I am very thankful that I came with you. You are not in a fit state to be alone.’ She turned and looked at him. ’Oh, Mr. Trecarrel, I should have been far better alone.’ ’Why so, Mirelle?’ ’I cannot say. I need not have talked.’ ’Do not talk now; listen, whilst I speak to you.’ ’Speak then of something else—not of Orange.’ ’I do not wish to speak of Orange. I will speak only of yourself.’ She held up her hands again, in that same entreating manner. ’I am too weak,’ she whispered.