Nesta came to Collingwood looking less anxious than when he had left her at his last call the night before. He had already told her what his impressions of the inquest were, and he was now wondering whether to tell her of the things he had heard said at the village inn. But remembering that he was now going to stay in the neighbourhood, he decided to say nothing at that time--if there was anything in these vague feelings and suspicions it would come out, and could be dealt with when it arose. At present he had need of a little diplomacy. "Oh!--I wanted to tell you," he said, after talking to her awhile about Mrs. Mallathorpe. "I--there's a change in my arrangements, I'm not going to India, after all." He was not prepared for the sudden flush that came over the girl's face. It took him aback. It also told him a good deal that he was glad to know--and it was only by a strong effort of will that he kept himself from taking her hands and telling her the truth. But he affected not to see anything, and he went on talking rapidly. "Complete change in the arrangements at the last minute," he said. "I've just been writing about it. So--as that's off, I think I shall follow Eldrick's advice, and take chambers in Barford for a time, and see how things turn out. I'm going into Barford now, to see Eldrick about all that." Nesta, who was conscious of her betrayal of more than she cared to show just then, tried to speak calmly. "But--isn't it an awful disappointment?" she said. "You were looking forward so to going there, weren't you?" "Can't be helped," replied Collingwood. "All these affairs are--provisional. I thought I'd tell you at once, however--so that you'll know--if you ever want me--that I shall be somewhere round about. In fact, as it's quite comfortable there, I shall stop at the inn until I've got rooms in the town." Then, not trusting himself to remain longer, he went off to Barford, certain that he was now definitely pledged in his own mind to Nesta Mallathorpe, and not much less that when the right time came she would not be irresponsive to him. And on that, like a cold douche, came the remembrance of her actual circumstances--she was what Eldrick had said, one of the wealthiest young women in Yorkshire. The thought of her riches made Collingwood melancholy for a while--he possessed a curious sort of pride which made him hate and loathe the notion of being taken for a fortune-hunter. But suddenly, and with a laugh, he remembered that he had certain possessions of his own--ability, knowledge, and perseverance. Before he reached Eldrick's office, he had had a vision of the Woolsack.