While these new thoughts were shaping themselves in his mind, another idea presented itself which seemed to open out a way to some sort of an understanding. The solution lay with Herman Nel--the Boer who did not hate the English, and wrangled with his brother on the strength of his convictions. He must talk with Herman Nel. From him he might receive much useful information. When he arrived at this determination they were already within sight of the farm. As they came nearer Honor pointed with her whip to a round cob building with a grass roof, which stood apart from the homestead and the outbuildings, as though, like its owner, it withdrew from what it failed to agree with, maintaining a comfortable isolation on open ground that defied surprise. "That is the rondavel," she explained, "which Herman Nel built for himself when his brother married. It's small, but it is very comfortable. When he marries he will have to enlarge it." "Is he thinking of marrying?" Matheson asked. "Oh, yes. He wants to marry Freidja. But just now they have quarrelled." "It would appear that he has a quarrelsome disposition," Matheson said. "No." She smiled ever so faintly. "He is rather like yourself--he exasperates other people." "Ah!" He smiled too. "I should like to meet Mr Herman Nel." Mr Nel came out from his rondavel at that moment, stood for a second or so looking in their direction, and then came swiftly towards them. Honor, who was riding in the direction of the homestead, changed the horse's course and went to meet him. It occurred to Matheson that she would have preferred to avoid the meeting; she did not seem pleased. Nel came on unhesitatingly. When a short distance off he raised his wide-brimmed hat and flourished it; and Matheson observed that his hair was turning grey; grey showed also in his short pointed beard. He was a man of middle height and spare build, rather handsome, with an alert expression, and clear blue eyes with a humorous twinkle in them. The twinkle in them faded when they rested upon Matheson. It appeared to Matheson that they refuted Honor's assertion of their owner's bias in favour of the English. Nel's face expressed curiosity, and something which looked very like contempt, as it lifted to his own. He transferred his attention almost immediately to Honor. "So it's you?" he said, shaking hands. "I gathered from Andreas last night that some one would be over from Benfontein in the morning. I was on the watch to intercept you." "I am afraid you are disappointed," Honor said with a laugh. "Not disappointed, but not wholly satisfied," he answered. "How are they all at home?" She made some reply in Dutch, which Matheson failed to understand, and which did not seem to afford Nel particular pleasure. He made no response, but looked somewhat dejected. Honor turned abruptly and brought Matheson into the conversation by effecting an introduction.