Tredennis recognized the tact even if he was not aware of the good feeling and far-sightedness. The obstacles had been removed from his path, and the conversation had received an air of unconstrained naturalness, which would make it easier for him to go on. "Then," he said, "there will be no need to explain what I mean by saying that I was thinking specially of your interest in Mrs. Amory herself--and your influence over her." "I wish my influence over her was as strong as my interest in her," was his companion's reply. "My interest in her is a sincere enough feeling, and a deep one. There is every reason why it should be." "I,"--began the colonel,--"I"--And then he stopped. "Your interest in her," Arbuthnot went on, seeming to enjoy his cigar very much, "is even a more natural feeling than mine--though I scarcely think it can be stronger. It is not a matter of relationship so much,--as a rule, relationship does not amount to a great deal,--but the fact that you knew her as a girl, and feel toward the professor as you do, must give her a distinct place in your mind." "It is a feeling," said Tredennis, "which disturbs me when I see that she is in actual danger through her own want of care for herself. Are women always so reckless? Is it a Washington fashion? Why should she forget that her children need her care, if she does not choose to think of herself? Is that a Washington fashion, too?" "You were thinking," said Arbuthnot, "and flattering me in doing it, that what I might say to her on the necessity of leaving the city might have some little effect?" "Yes," Tredennis answered. "And if not upon herself, upon Amory. He is always ready to listen to you." Arbuthnot was silent for some moments. He was following a certain train of thought closely and rapidly, but his expression did not betray him at all. "She would have gone two weeks ago," he said quietly next, "if it had not been for Richard's engagements with Planefield and the rest. He has had them at his house two or three times since then, and they have made little parties to Mount Vernon and Arlington and Great Falls. Planefield is a lady's man, and he finds Mrs. Amory very charming." "What!" exclaimed Tredennis, with intolerant haughtiness,--"that coarse fellow?" "He isn't a nice fellow," said Arbuthnot, "but he won't show his worst side to her--any more than he can help. He is a very powerful fellow, they say." Here he stopped. They had reached their gate-way again. "I'll do what I can," he said. "It won't be much, perhaps; but I will do what I can. I fully appreciate the confidence you showed in speaking to me." "I fully appreciate the manner in which you listened to what I had to say," said Tredennis. And, somewhat to Arbuthnot's surprise, he held out his hand to him. CHAPTER XII.