"That's what makes me pale--if I am pale." His tone turned to sudden irritation. "Don't all look at me. There's nothing the matter." He laughed again; he seemed full of changes of mood to-night. "The speeches won't give me much trouble." "I'm sure you need have no other trouble, dear," said Mrs. Belfield, with an affectionate glance at Vivien. "He'll have much more trouble with me, won't he?" Vivien laughed. Andy stole a look at Isobel. He was filled with admiration; a smile of just the right degree of sympathy ornamented her lips. A profane idea that she must be in the habit of being kissed crossed his mind. It was difficult to see how she could be, though--at Nutley. Kissing takes two. He did not suspect Wellgood, and he was innocent himself. Another eye was watching--shrewder and more experienced than Andy's--watching Harry, watching Isobel, watching while Andy stole his glance at Isobel. It was easy to keep bluff Wellgood in the dark; his own self-confidence hoodwinked him. Belfield was harder to blind; for those who had anything to conceal, it was lucky that he did not live at Nutley. "Well, waiting for a wedding's tiresome work for all concerned, isn't it?" he said to Isobel, who sat next him. "Yes, even waiting for other people's. It's such a provisional sort of time, Mr. Belfield." "You've forsworn one set of pleasures, and haven't got the other yet. You've ceased to be a rover, and you haven't got a home." "You don't seem to consider being engaged a very joyful period?" she smiled. "On the whole, I don't, Miss Vintry, though Vivien there looks pretty happy. But it's telling on Harry, I'm sure." She looked across at Harry. "Yes, I think it is a little," came apparently as the result of a scrutiny suggested by Belfield's words. "I hadn't noticed it, but I'm afraid you're right." "If there's anything up, she's a cool hand," thought Belfield. "You must try to distract his thoughts," he told her. "I try to let them see as little of me as possible." "Too complete a realization of matrimonial solitude _à deux_ before marriage--Is that advisable?" "You put too difficult questions for a poor spinster to answer, Mr. Belfield." He got nothing out of her, but from the corner of his eye he saw Harry watching him as he talked to Isobel. Turning his head sharply, he met his son's glance full and straight. Harry dropped his eyes suddenly, and again drank off his champagne. Belfield looked sideways at the composed lady on his right, and pursed up his lips a little. Wellgood stayed with him to-night after dinner, the young men joining the ladies in the garden for coffee. "Our friend Miss Vintry's in great good looks to-night, Wellgood. Remarkably handsome girl!" "That dress suits her very well. I thought so myself," Wellgood agreed, well-pleased to have his secret choice thus endorsed.