Bess looked at him irresolutely, her face scarlet. Then without a word she went slowly away. Herrick looked after her and nodded to himself. "I believe she has found out something about Mrs. Marsh, and has told Stephen; that would account for their melancholy and for the secret which she says exists between them. I shall ask Stephen." That same afternoon Herrick went back to "The Pines" and into the bedroom of Marsh-Carr. The young man was lying staring at the ceiling. He seemed listless and worn-out. When Jim entered he turned his face towards the wall so as to avoid his friend's eyes. Herrick pretended to take no notice although he was cut to the heart by the avoidance of his gaze. He was very fond of Stephen, and mourned over this thing which had come between them. However it was necessary to take extreme measures if the situation was to be improved. "Steve," said Herrick formulating a plan, "I can't eat alone any longer, you must come down to dinner to-night." "I can't," said Stephen in a muffled tone, "I am too ill." "I know you are. Life and brightness and my society are what you need. I was wrong to send you to bed. As your doctor I now order you to get up." Stephen turned sulky. "I don't want to." "You do not know what is good for you my friend," said Herrick coolly, "I shall expect to find you dressed and down to dinner at eight. After a good meal you will be more like your old self." In this way after much coaxing, scolding, ordering and threatening Jim got the young man to get up and dress. Marsh-Carr did so reluctantly enough, for he was desperately afraid of betraying the secret he had told Bess, to the sharp eyes of Herrick. However he was really tired himself of being alone. This seclusion could not be kept up for ever, and it was as well to make a beginning and get back into the old routine. He therefore dressed with some care after a bath, and came down into the drawing-room looking much better. Herrick was standing on the hearth-rug, big and masterful. "Here you are at last," he said, "just in time for a glass of sherry." Stephen protested, but Herrick insisted. "You want something to make you eat after being in bed all day. This sherry and bitters will do for a medicine. I want you to eat and drink well to-night Steve. You must get colour into your cheek and fire into your eye. What will Ida say if I attend to you so badly?" Stephen drank the sherry and felt better. Then they went to eat a capital dinner and Dr. Jim saw that his friend tasted every dish. He also made him drink champagne, and talked the whole time in a lively way that was' infectious. By the time dinner was over Stephen felt positively happy. Then came cigars, coffee, and cognac, in the library. "Now Steve, don't you feel better?" said Herrick when they were seated vis-à-vis beside a blazing fire.