He decided to start immediately; and found himself wondering how he should explain this abrupt journey to Brenda. Finally he decided to explain nothing, and left her to infer that business took him up the line. She was much occupied in getting ready for her marriage, and preparing to sail for Europe if necessary with her husband. If he served in France, she purposed serving also in some capacity behind the fixing line. It was understood between them that where he went she would follow whenever practicable. In all things they were to be comrades: only in the matter of Honor did he keep her outside his life. He had confided to her the essential facts in regard to his relations with Honor Krige; he did not deem it expedient after that to go into further detail. That part of his life was finished--he believed it to be finished; but a man cannot finish with a part of his life at will: life has a habit of facing about upon the person who would ignore it. It was so in Matheson's case. When he had, as he fancied, closed this chapter which related to the past for ever, the chance breeze of an accidental encounter ruffled the pages and turned them bade. On the day before he had arranged to go to Johannesburg he came face to face with Herman Nel in the fine oak avenue outside the Botanical Gardens. He was on his way to fulfil an appointment with Brenda; but when he saw Nel--Nel looking handsome and business-like in the serviceable uniform of the Union Defence Force--he forgot everything for the moment in sheer amaze at this unexpected meeting. It was never clear to him who saw the other first; the recognition seemed to be simultaneous: the grip of their hands was spontaneous and eager. "I never expected to see you here," he said, and wrung Nel's hand warmly. "What's the farm doing in your absence?" "Looking after itself," Nel answered with a shrug. "I've come away to defend it. Leentje imagines she is seeing after things while Cornelius is engaged in espousing the German cause." His face was grave. "Come into the Gardens here, and sit down and let us talk." Matheson accompanied him in silence and sat down with him on a seat near the entrance. Nel looked hard at him, looked from his face to his clothes; and Matheson felt that the shrewd eyes were mutely inquiring why he also was not in uniform. "I've been in Cape Town only a few days," Nel volunteered. "I'm following Botha wherever he leads. His lead is straight always, and for the good of the country. Cornelius can't see that--yet." "So he has joined the rebellion?" Matheson said. "Yes. He's with his commando--and Andreas Krige. They have joined Maritz. It's a bad business. One cannot help feeling sorry for men who deliberately cut their own throats. There is a sort of predestination in it." "And what," Matheson asked quickly, "are they doing at Benfontein?" Nel shook his head.