"But you have not," cried Norah Burton swiftly. "He would be hard in some things: I am sure--for instance--he would never forgive a really dishonourable action, even in the case of his best friend." "No, I am sure he would not," assented Pomfret. "But I don't fancy he has been much tried that way. We don't get many `rotters' amongst our lot." "_Noblesse oblige_," quoted Miss Burton, lightly. Then she added more seriously: "And I am sure he is very kind-hearted and thoughtful. I was impressed with his reluctance to smoke because of the curtains. Of course, he did not remember that it did not matter in the least, as we never have callers." She was getting on the theme of their social isolation, but Pomfret was sure that, unlike her brother, strangely subdued to-night from his usual boisterousness, she would handle the subject with her customary tact and good taste. "Ah, of course, all that is very regrettable. It is not so much your loss, as the loss of Blankfield. I suppose you won't stay very long here." For a moment there came a blazing light in the soft, beautiful eyes. "A few days ago, I advised my brother to pack up and clear out. The snobbish plutocracy of Blankfield had beaten us, made up of retired shopkeepers and merchants. To-night, with you and Captain Murchison as our guests, I think we have beaten Blankfield with its fat mothers and plain daughters." She looked superb, as she drew her slender form up to its full height, the glow of indignant triumph blazing on her cheek. At the moment she was extremely beautiful. If Pomfret had been attracted before, he was infatuated now. "I will help you to beat the Blankfield people, for whom I don't care a row of pins. I will come, whenever you want me." "And your friend Captain Murchison, will he come, too?" Pomfret smiled whimsically. "Oh yes, he will come, if I make a point of it. Old Hugh thinks he leads me, but I really lead him." She leaned forward eagerly. "Can you bring some of your brother officers, Mr Pomfret? Please don't think I am bold and forward and presumptuous. But I do long to be even with these Blankfield people. I would love to make a little sort of _salon_ of my own. I know it is useless to expect the women at present, but they might come in time. Mind you, I don't want them."