"We weren't," said Gerrard doggedly. "I was introduced to you two days before Charteris was, and all that time I was in terror, guessing what would happen as soon as he saw you. And sure enough, he raved about you all night, until I put a stop to it by throwing things across the room." "Please don't tell me things of that kind," said Honour, her colour rising. "They do not interest me. You have a great influence over Mr Charteris. Why not use it to make him see things sensibly, and give up these attempts?" "Because I wouldn't do it myself. If you could say that you felt the least kindness towards one of us, then the other would withdraw--or towards any one else, then both of us, I hope, would do the proper thing and leave him in peace. But while there's still a fair chance--why, I shall hold on, and so will old Bob, if I know anything of him." "That is exactly what Mr Charteris said," remarked Honour musingly. "Well, I am very sorry, and I wish I could get you to look at things more sensibly, but really it is not my fault." "You can't even hold out any hope for the future?" "It would merely be unkindness if I did. If you would only----" "No, please, that's enough," said Gerrard, and withdrew. Charteris was waiting for him on their verandah. "By the look of gloom on your ingenuous countenance, Hal----" he began. "Oh, _bus, bus_[1]!" said Gerrard wearily. "Yes, old boy, we're in the same boat, as before." "There's one comfort, she won't get her bachelor Governor-General for some time," remarked Charteris; "for this man Blairgowrie that they're sending out is married." "I hate stale jokes!" muttered Gerrard. "You seem to have come off rather worse than I did. Look here, Hal; I'm going to propose a modification of our agreement. I've had first try this time, and next time you shall have it, without drawing lots. It's precious hard on you, if you are the right man, that you should only be able to approach her when she's already been rubbed the wrong way by my impudent pretensions." "I ain't the right man. No one is. But you're a good chap, Bob, and I'm not too proud to accept with thanks. At this moment, I confess it, I don't feel as if I should ever summon up courage to come to the scratch again, but no doubt it'll be different in a year or so." "I believe you, my boy--especially when you know that if you don't take your chance, I shall. But what stately form comes this way? Our Mr James, as I live!"