He looked at her. "My dear," he said, "I think Bertie had better know." She nodded. "I know he ought. But he will be furious with me." "Not if I talk to him," said Lucas, with his quiet smile. "But it's so mean of me," she protested. "And I'm sure it's bad for you." He reached out his hand to her. "No, it isn't bad for me, Dot. It's just the best thing possible. You've put me in the way of something great." She squeezed his hand. "Do you really think you can make things go right?" "Under God," said Lucas gravely. CHAPTER XII A FRIENDLY UNDERSTANDING Notwithstanding Lucas's assurance, Dot awaited her husband's coming in undisguised trepidation that night. She had not seen Nap since that brief glimpse of him in the hall when Anne had so nearly swooned. She did not so much as know if Bertie had seen him at all. They had not met on the previous evening, but Bertie's aspect had been so thunderous ever since he had heard of his return that she had been on thorns lest he should present himself again at the Dower House. That he would come sooner or later she knew, but she hoped with all her heart that it might not be when Bertie was at home. She was convinced, moreover, that Bertie was going to be very angry with her, and her heart sank the more she thought of it. Bertie's anger had become a hard thing to face since he had made her know the depths of his tenderness. The night was chilly, and her suspense made her cold. She sat very close to the fire in the cosy curtained hall, shivering, and straining her ears to catch the sound of his feet on the gravel. She had worked herself into a state of anxiety that made her start at the faintest noise. It was nearing the dinner-hour, and she was beginning to wonder if perhaps he were staying at Baronmead to dine, though he had never done so before without sending her word, when there came the sudden hoot of a motor and the rush of wheels upon the drive. She sat up, every pulse beating. It must be one of the Baronmead motors. But Bertie always walked. She heard the car stop at the door, and she rose to her feet, scarcely knowing what to expect. The next moment the door opened and she heard Bertie's voice. "The car will be all right," he said. "It's a fine night. Go in, won't you? I expect Dot is waiting." And with amazement Dot saw Nap enter the hall in front of her husband. He came straight to her just as he had come on the previous day, and she had a moment of sheer panic lest he should have the effrontery to kiss her; but he spared her this, though the smile with which he greeted her told her that he was quite aware of her embarrassment and its cause. "Bertie has taken upon himself to ask me to dine," he said, as he held her hand. "I hope that is quite agreeable to Mrs. Bertie?" "Of course I am delighted," she said, but her eyes sought Bertie's somewhat anxiously notwithstanding.