第5章
"Helpyourselftowhiskyandsoda，Jimmy，"SirHenryinvited，ashebuttoneduphiscoat。"You’llneeditallpresently。"
"Ithankyoukindly，sir，"Jimmyreplied。"Iamthinkingthatwe’llbothneedadrinkbeforewe’rethroughthisnight。"
Hehelpedhimselftoawhiskyandsodaonthegenerousprincipleofhalfandhalf。Philippa，whowaswatchingherhusband’spreparationsindignantly，oncemorefoundwords。
"Henry，youareincorrigible！"sheexclaimed。"Listentomeifyouplease。Iinsistuponit。"
SirHenryturnedalittleimpatientlytowardsher。"Philippa，I
reallycan’tstopnow，"heprotested。"Butyoumust！Youshall！"
shecried。"Youshallhearthismuchfromme，atanyrate，beforeyougo。WhatIsaidtheotherdayIrepeatathousandfoldnow。"
SirHenryglancedatDumbleandmotionedhisheadtowardsthedoor。
Thefishermanmadeanawkwardexit。
"Athousandfold，"Philipparepeatedpassionately。"Youhear，Henry？
Idonotconsidermyselfanymoreyourwife。IfIamherewhenyoureturn，itwillbesimplybecauseIfinditconvenient。Yourconductisdisgracefulandunmanly。"
"Mydeargirl！"heremonstrated。"Imaybebackintwenty-four-
possiblytwelvehours。"
"Itisamatterofindifferencetomewhenyoureturn，"wasthecurtreply。"Ihavefinished。"
Thedoorwasthrownopen。
"Youroilskins，sir，andflask，"Millsannounced，hurryingin，alittlebreathless。"You’llforgivemymentioningit，sir，butitscarcelyseemsafitnighttoleavehome。"
"Gottobedonethisonce，Mills，"hismasterreplied，strugglingintohiscoat。
Theyoungpeoplefromthebilliardroomsuddenlystreamedin。Nora，whowasstillcarryinghercue，gazedatherfatherinamazement。
"Why，where’sDadgoing？"shecried。
"Itappears，"Philippaexplainedsarcastically，"thatashoalofwhitinghasarrived。"
"Veryuncertainfish，whiting，"SirHenryobserved，"hereto-dayandgoneto-morrow。"
"Youwon’tfindittooeasygettingoffto-night，sir，"Harrisonremarkeddoubtfully。
"Jimmywillseetothat，"wastheconfidentreply。"Iexpectweshallbeamongstthematdaybreak。Good-by，everybody！Good-by，Philippa！"
Hiseyessoughthiswife’sinvain。ShehadturnedtowardsLessingham。
"Youarenothurryingoff，areyou，Mr。Lessingham？"sheasked。"I
wantyoutoshowmethatnewPatience。"
"Ishallbedelighted。"
SirHenryturnedslowlyaway。ForamomenthisfacedarkenedashiseyesmetLessingham’s。Heseemedabouttospeakbutchangedhismind。
"Well，good-by，everyone，"hecalledout。"Ishallbebackbeforemidnightifwedon’tgetout。"
"Andifyoudo？"Noracried。
"Ifwedo，Heavenhelpthewhiting！"
CHAPTERXV
"Ofcourse，we’rebehavingshockingly，allthreeofus！"Philippadeclared，asshesippedherchampagneandleanedbackinherseat。
"Youmeanbycomingtoaplacelikethis？"Lessinghamqueried，lookingaroundthecrowdedrestaurant。"Wearenot，inthatcase，theonlysinners。"
"Ididn’tmeanthemerefactofbeinghere，"Philippaexplained，"butbeingherewithyou。"
"Iforgot，"hesaidgloomily，"thatIwassuchablacksheep。"
"Don’tbesilly，"sheadmonished。"You’renothingofthesort。But，ofcourse，weareskatingonratherthinice。IfIhadHenrytoconsiderinanyway，ifhehadanysortofacareer，perhapsIshouldbemorecareful。Asitis，IthinkIfeelalittlerecklesslately。
Dreymarshhasgotuponmynerves。ThethingsthatIthoughtmostofinlifeseemtohavecrumbledaway。"
"OughtItobesorry？"heasked。"Iamnot。"
"Butwhyareyousounsympathetic？"
"BecauseIamwaitingbyyoursidetorebuild，"hewhispered。
Atall，bronzedyoungsoldierwithhisarminasling，stoppedbeforetheirtable，andHelen，afteramoment’sprotestandaglanceatPhilippa，movedawaywithhimtothelittlespacereservedforthedancers。
"WhatachaperonIam！"Philippasighed。"IscarcelyknowanythingabouttheyoungmanexcepthisnameandthathewasinDick’sregiment。"
"Ididnothearit，"Lessinghamobserved，"butIfeeldeeplygratefultohim。ItissoseldomthatIhaveachancetotalktoyoualonelikethis。"
"Itseemsincrediblethatwehavetalkedsolong，"Philippasaid，glancingatthewatchuponherwrist。"IreallyfeelnowthatI
knowallaboutyou-yourschooldays，yourcollegedays，andyoursoldiering。Youhavebeenveryfrank，haven’tyou？"
"Ihavenothingtoconceal-fromyou，"hereplied。"Ifthereisanythingmoreyouwanttoknow-"
"Thereisnothing，"sheinterrupteduneasily。
"Perhapsyouarewise，"hereflected，"andyetsomeday，youknow，youwillhavetohearitall，overandoveragain。"
"Iwillnotbemadelovetoinarestaurant，"shedeclaredfirmly。
"Youaresoparticularastolocalities，"hecomplained。"Youcouldnotseeyourwayclear，Isuppose，tosuggestwhatyouwouldconsiderasuitableenvironment？=20
Philippalookedathimforamomentveryearnestly。
"Ah，don’tletusplayatthingsweneitherofusfeel！"shebegged。
"Andthereissomeonetherewhowantstospeaktoyou。"
Lessinghamlookedupintothefaceofthemanwhohadpausedbeforetheirtable，asonemightlookintothefaceofunexpecteddeath。
Heremainedperfectlystill，buttheslightcolourseemedslowlytobedrawnfromhischeeks。Yetthenewcomerhimselfseemedinnowayterrifying。Hewastallandlargelybuilt，clean-shaven，andwiththehumourousmouthofanIrishmanoranAmerican。
Neitherwasthereanythingthreateninginhisspeech。
"Gladtorunupagainstyou，Lessingham，"hesaid，holdingouthishand。"Gaycrowdheretonight，isn’tit？"
"Very，"Lessinghamanswered，speakingverymuchlikeamaninadream。"LadyCranston，willyoupermitmetointroducemyfriend-Mr。Hayter。"
Philippawasimmediatelygracious，andafewmomentspassedintrivialconversation。ThenMr。Hayterpreparedtodepart。
"Imustbejoiningmyfriends，"heobserved。"Lookinandseemesometime，Lessingham-Number72，MilanCourt。YouknowwhatanightbirdIam。Perhapsyouwillcallandhaveafinaldrinkwithmewhenyouhavefinishedhere。"
"Ishallbeveryglad，"Lessinghampromised。
Mr。Hayterpassedon，aman，apparently，ofmanyacquaintances，tojudgebyhisinterruptedprogress。LadyCranstonlookedathercompanion。Shewaspuzzled。
"Isthatarecentacquaintance，"sheasked，"asheaddressedyoubythenameofLessingham？"
"Yes，"wasthequietreply。
"Youdon’twishtotalkabouthim？"
"No！"
Helenandherpartnerreturned，afewmomentslater，andthelittlepartypresentlybrokeup。LessinghamdrovethetwowomentotheirhotelinDoverStreet。
"We’vehadamostdelightfulevening，"Philippaassuredhim，astheysaidgoodnight。"Youarecomingroundtoseeusinthemorning，aren’tyou？"
"IfImay，"Lessinghamassented。
HelenfoundherwayintoPhilippa’sroom，lateronthatnight。Shehadnervedherselfforaverythanklesstask。
"MayIsitdownforafewmoments？"sheasked，alittlenervously。
"Yourfireissomuchbetterthanmine。"
Philippaglancedatherfriendthroughthelooking-glassbeforewhichshewasbrushingherhair，andmadealittlegrimace。Shefeltaforewarningofwhatwascoming。
"Ofcourse，dear，"shereplied。"Haveyouenjoyedyourevening？"
"Verymuch，inaway，"wasthesomewhathesitatingreply。"Ofcourse，nothingreallycountsuntilDickcomesback，butitisnicetotalkwithsomeonewhoknowshim。"
"Agreeableconversation，"Philipparemarkeddidactically，"isoneofthegreatestpleasuresinlife。"
"YoufindMr。Lessinghamveryinteresting，don’tyou？"Helenasked。
Philippafinishedarrangingherhairtohersatisfactionanddrewupaneasy-chairoppositehervisitor’s。
"SoyouwanttotalkwithmeaboutMr。Lessingham，doyou？"
"Isupposeyouknowthathe’sinlovewithyou？Helenbegan。
"Ihopeheisalittle，mydear，"wasthesmilingreply。"I’msureI’vetriedmybest。"
"Won’tyoutalkseriously？"Helenpleaded。
"Idon’taltogetherseethenecessity，"Philippaprotested。
"Ido，andI’lltellyouwhy，"Helenanswered。"Idon’tthinkMr。
Lessinghamisatallthetypeofmantowhichyouareaccustomed。
Ithinkthatheisindeadlyearnestaboutyou。Ithinkthathewasindeadlyearnestfromthefirst。Youdon’treallycareforhim，doyou，dear？"
"Verymuch，andyetnot，perhaps，quiteinthewayyouarethinkingof，"wasthequietreply。
"Thenpleasesendhimaway，"Helenbegged。
"Mydear，howcanI？"Philippaobjected。"Hehasdoneusanimmenseservice，andhecan’tdisobeyhisorders。"
"Youdon’twanthimtogoaway，then？"
Philippawassilentforseveralmoments。"No，"sheadmitted，"I
don’tthinkthatIdo。"
"Youdon’tcareforHenryanymore？"
"Justasmuchasever，"wasthesomewhatbitterreply。"That’swhatIresentsomuch。IshouldlikeHenrytobelievethathehadkilledeverysparkofloveinme。"
Helenmovedacrossandsatonthearmofherfriend’schair。Shefeltthatshewasgoingtobeverydaring。
"Haveyouanyideaatthehackofyourmind，dear，"sheasked"ofmakinguseofMr。LessinghamtopunishHenry？"
Philippamovedalittleuneasily。
"Howhatefullydownrightyouare！"shemurmured。"Idon’tknow。"
"Because，"Helencontinued，"ifyouhaveanysuchideainyourmind，IthinkitismostunfairtoMr。Lessingham。Youknowperfectlywellthatanythingelsebetweenyouandhimwouldheimpossible。"
"Andwhy？"
"Don’tberidiculous！"Helenexclaimedvigorously。"Mr。Lessinghammayhaveallthemostdelightfulqualitiesintheworld，buthehasattachedhimselftoacountrywhichnoEnglishmanorwomanwillbeabletothinkofwithoutshuddering，formanyyearstocome。Youcan’tdreamofcuttingyourselfadriftfromyourfriendsandyourhomeandyourcountry！It’stoounnatural！I’mnotevenarguingwithyou，Philippa。Youcouldn’tdoit！I’mwhollyconcernedwithMr。Lessingham。Icannotforgetwhatweowehim。Ithinkitwouldbehatefullycruelofyoutospoilhislife。"
Philippa’sflashesofseriousnesswereonlymomentary。Shemadealittlegrimace。Shewasoncemorehernatural，irresponsibleself。
"Youunderratemycharm，Helen，"shedeclared。"IreallybelievethatIcouldmakehislifeinsteadofspoilingit。"
"Andyouwouldpaytheprice？"
Philippa，slimandelflikeinthefirelight，rosefromherchair。
Therewasamomentarycrueltyinherface。
"Isometimesthink，"shesaidcalmly，"thatIwouldpayanypriceintheworldtomakeHenryunderstandhowIfeel。There，nowrunalong，dear。You’refullofgoodintentions，anddon’tthinkithorridofme，butnothingthatyoucouldsaywouldmakeanydifference。"
"Youwouldn’tdoanythingrash？"Helenpleaded。
"Well，ifIrunawaywithMr。Lessingham，Icertainlycan’tpromisethatI’llsendcardsoutfirst。WhateverIdo，impulsewillprobablydecide。"
"Impulse！"
"Whynot？Itrustmine。Can’tyou？"Philippaadded，withalittleshrugoftheshoulders。
"Sometimes，"Helensighed，"theyaresuchwildhorses，youknow。
Theyleadonetosuchterribleplaces。"
"Andsometimes，"Philippareplied，"theyfindtheirwayintotheheavenwhereoursobererthoughtscouldnevertakeus。Goodnight，dear！"
CHAPTERXVI
Mr。WilliamHayter，inthesolitudeofhischambersattheMilanCourt，wasaveryalteredpersonage。Heextendednowelcomingsalutationtohismidnightvisitorbutsimplymotionedhimtoachair。
"Well，"hebegan，"isyourtaskfinishedthatyouareinLondon？"
"Mytask，"Lessinghamreplied，"mightjustaswellneverhavebeenenteredupon。Themanyousentmetowatchisnothingbutanordinarysport-lovingEnglishman。"
"Really！Youhavelivedashisneighbourfornearlyamonth，andthatisyourimpressionofhim？"
"Itis，"Lessinghamassented。"Hehasbeenawaysea-fishing，halfthetime，butIhavesearchedhishousethoroughly。"
"Searchedhispapers，eh？"
"EveryoneIcouldfind，andhatedthejob。Thereareagoodmanychartsofthecoast，buttheyareallfortheuseofthefishermen。"
"Wonderful！"Hayterscoffed。"Myyoungfriend，youmayyetfinddistinctioninsomeotherwalkoflife。Oursecretservice，I
fancy，willverysoonbeabletodispensewithyourenergies。"
"AndIwithyoursecretservice，"Lessinghamagreedheartily。"I
daresaytheremaybesomebranchesofitinwhichexistenceistolerable。That，however，doesnotapplytothetaskuponwhichI
havebeenengaged。"
"Youhavebeencompletelyduped，"Haytertoldhimcalmly，"andtheinformationyouhavesentusisvalueless。SirHenryCranston，insteadofbeingthetypeofmanwhomyouhavedescribed，isoneofthegreatestexpertsuponcoastdefenseandmine-laying，intheEnglishAdmiralty。"
Lessinghamlaughedshortly。
"That，"hedeclared，"isperfectlyabsurd。"
"Itis，"Hayterrepeated，withemphasis，"theprecisetruth。SirHenryCranton’sfishingexcursionsaremyths。Heissimplytransferredfromhisfishingboatontooneofalittlefleetofso-calledminesweepers，fromwhichheconductshisoperations。
Nearlyeveryoneofthemostimportanttownsontheeastcoastareprotectedbyminefieldsofhisdesign。"
Lessinghamwasdumbfounded。Hiscompanion’smannerwassingularlyconvincing。
"ButhowcouldSirHenryoranyoneelsekeepthisasecret？"heprotested。"Evenhiswifeisscarcelyonspeakingtermswithhimbecauseshebelieveshimtoheanidler，andthewholeneighbourhoodgossipsoverhisslackness。"
"Thewholeneighbourhoodiseasilyfooled，"Hayterretorted。"Thereareoneortwowhoknow，however。"
"Thereareoneortwo，"Lessinghamobservedgrimly，"whoarebeginningtosuspectme。"
"Thatisapity，"Hayteradmitted，"becauseitwillbenecessaryforyoutoreturntoDreymarshatonce。"
"ReturntoDreymarshatonce？ButCranstonisaway。Thereisnothingformetodothereinhisabsence。"
"HewillbebackonWednesdayorThursdaynight，"wastheconfidentreply。"Hewillbringwithhimtheplanofhislatestdefensesofatownontheeastcoast，whichourcruisersquadronpurposetobombard。Wemusthavethatchart。"
Lessinghamlistenedinmutedistress。
"Couldyoupossiblygetmerelieved？"hebegged。"Thefactis-"
"Wecouldnot，andwewillnot，"Hayterinterruptedfiercely。
"Unlessyouwishmetodenounceyouathomeasarenegadeandacoward，youwillgothroughwiththeworkwhichhasbeenallottedtoyou。YourearliermistakeswillbeforgivenifthatchartisinmyhandsbyFriday。"
"Buthowdoyouknowthathewillhaveit？"Lessinghamprotested。
"Supposingyouarerightandheisreallyresponsiblefortheminefieldsyouspeakof，IshouldthinkthelastthinghewoulddowouldbetobringthechartbacktoDreymarsh。"
"Asamatteroffact，thatispreciselywhathewilldo，"Hayterassuredhislistener。"Heisbringingitbackfortheinspectionofoneofthecommissionersfortheeastcoastdefense，whoistomeethimathishouse。AndIwishtowarnyou，too，Maderstrom，thatyouwillhaveverylittletime。Forsomereasonorother，Cranstonisdissatisfiedwiththesecrecyunderwhichhehasbeencompelledtowork，andhasappliedtotheAdmiraltyforrecognitionofhisposition。Immediatelythisisgiven，Igatherthathishousewillbeinaccessibletoyou。"
Lessinghamsat，hisarmsfolded，hiseyesfixeduponthefire。
Histhoughtswereinaturmoil，yetonethingwashatefullyclear。
Cranstonwasnottheunworthyslackerhehadbelievedhimtobe。
Philippa’swholepointofviewmightwellbechangedbythisdiscovery-especiallynowthatCranstonhadmadeuphismindtoasserthimselfforhiswife’ssake。Therewasanicyfearinhisheart。
"Youunderstand，"Hayterpersistedcoldly，"whatitisyouhavetodo？"
"Perfectly。Ishallreturnbytheafternoontrain，"wasthedespairingreply。
"Ifyousucceed，"Haytercontinued，"Ishallseethatyougettheusualacknowledgment，butIwill，ifyouwishit，askforyourtransfertoanotherbranchoftheservice。Iamnotquestioningyourpatriotismoryourhonour，Maderstrom，butyouarenotthemanforthiswork。"
"Youareright，"Lessinghamsaid。"Iamnot。"
"Itisnotmyaffair，"Hayterproceeded，"toenquiretoocloselyintothemeansusedbyouragentsincarryingoutourdesigns。
ThatIfindyouinLondonincompanywiththewifeofthemanwhomyouareappointedtowatch，maybeafactcapableofthemostcompleteandsatisfactoryexplanation。Iasknoquestions。
Ionlyremindyouthatyourcountry，eventhoughitbeonlyyouradoptedcountry，demandsfromyou，asfromallothersinherservice，unswervingloyalty，aloyaltyuninfluencedbytheclaimsofpersonalsentiment，duty，orhonour。HaveIsaidenough？"
"Youhavesaidasmuchasitiswiseforyoutosay，"Lessinghamreplied，hisvoicetremblingwithsuppressedpassion。
"Thatisall，then，"theotherconcluded。"Youknowwheretosendorbringthechartwhenyouhaveit？Ifyoubringityourself，itispossiblethatsomethingwhichyoumayregardasareward，willbeofferedtoyou。"
Lessinghamrosealittlewearilytohisfeet。HisfarewelltoHayterwascoldandlifeless。
Heleftthehotelandstartedonhishomewardway，strugglingwithasenseofintolerabledepression。Thestreetsthroughwhichhepassedweresombreandunlit。
AZeppelinwarning，afewhoursbefore，haddriventhepeopletotheirhomes。Therewasnotachinkoflighttobeseenanywhere。
Anintenseandgloomystillnessseemedtobroodoverthedesertedthoroughfares。Nightbirdsontheirwayhomeflittedbylikeshadows。Policemenlurkedintheshadowsofthehouses。Thefewvehiclesleftcrawledaboutwithinsufficientlights。Eventhewarninghornsofthetaxicabmensoundedfurtiveandrepressed。
Lessingham，ashemarchedstolidlyalong，feltcuriouslyinsympathywithhisenvironment。Hayter’snewsbroughthimfacetofacewiththatinnerproblemwhichhadsosuddenlybecomethedominantfactorinhislife。Forthefirsttimeheknewwhatlovewas。Hefeltthewonderofit，thefar-reachingpossibilities，thestrangeidealismcalledsounexpectedlyintobeing。HerecognizedthevagariesofPhilippa’sdisposition，andyet，duringthelastfewdays，hehadconvincedhimselfthatshewasbeginningtocare。Herstrainedrelationswithherhusbandhadbeen，withoutadoubt，herfirstincentivetowardstheacceptanceofhisproffereddevotion。Nowhetoldhimselfwitheagerhopefulnessthatsomeportionofit，howeverminute，mustbeforhisownsake。Therelationsbetweenhusbandandwife，heremindedhimself，must，atanyrate，havebeenstrainedduringthelastfewmonths，orCranstonwouldneverhavebeenabletokeephissecret。Inhisgloomypassagethroughthislandofillomens，however，heshiveredalittleashethoughtoftheotherpossibility-torturedhimselfwithimaginingwhatmighthappenduringherrevulsionoffeeling，ifPhilippadiscoveredthetruth。
Asenseofsomethinggreaterthanhehadyetknowninlifeseemedtolifthimintosomeloftystateofaloofness，fromwhichhecouldlookdownanddespisehimself，thepoor，tiredplodderwearingtheheavychainsofduty。Therewasalifesomuchmorewonderful，justtheothersideoftheclouds，averyshortdistanceaway，alifeofalluringandpassionatehappiness。Shouldheeverfindthecourage，hewondered，toescapefromthetreadmillandgoinsearchofit？Duty，forthelasttwoyears，hadtakenhimbythehandandledhimalongapathwayofshame。Hehadneverbeenahypocriteaboutthewar。HewasoneofthosewhohadacknowledgedfromthefirstthatGermanyhadsetforth，withtheswordinherhand，onawarofconquest。Hisowninheritedmartialspirithadvaguelyapproved；he，too，inthoseearlierdays，hadfeltthesunlightuponhisrapier。Laterhadcometheenlightenment，theturbulentwavesofdoubt，thenightmareofanation’sawakeningconscience，mirroredinhisownsoul。Itwasinadepressionshared，perhaps，inalesserdegreebymillionsofthosewhoserankshehadjoined，thathefeltthispassionatecravingforescapeintoaworldwhichtookcountofotherthings。
CHAPTERXVII
Punctuallyat12o’clockthenextmorning，LessinghampresentedhimselfatthehotelinDoverStreetandwasinvitedbythehallportertotakeaseatinthelounge。Philippaentered，afewminuteslater，hereyesandcheeksbrilliantwiththebriskexerciseshehadbeentaking，herslimfiguremostbecominglyarrayedingreyclothandchinchilla。
"IlostHeleninHarrod’s，"sheannounced，"butIknowshe’slunchingwithfriends，soitreallydoesn’tmatter。You’llhavetotakecareofme，Mr。Lessingham，untilthetraingoes，ifyouwill。"
"Forevenlongerthanthat，ifyouwill，"hemurmured。
Shelaughed。"Moreprettyspeeches？Idon’tthinkI’mequaltothembeforeluncheon。"
"ThistimeIamliteral，"heexplained。"IamcomingbacktoDreymarshmyself。"
Hefelthisheartbeatquicker，asuddenjoypossessedhim。
Philippa’sexpressionwasobviouslyoneofsatisfaction。
"I’msoglad，"sheassuredhim。"Doyouknow，IwasthinkingonlyasIcamebackinthetaxicab，howIshouldmissyou。"
Shewasstandingwithherfootuponthebroadfender，andherfirstlittleimpulseofpleasureseemedtopassasshelookedintothefire。Sheturnedtowardshimgravely。
"Afterall，doyouthinkyouarewise？"sheasked。"Ofcourse，I
don’tthinkthatanyoneatDreymarshhastheleastsuspicion，butyouknowCaptainGriffithsdidaskquestions，and-well，you’resafelyawaynow。YouhavebeensowonderfulaboutDick，sowonderfulaltogether，"shewenton，"thatIcouldn’tbearitiftroubleweretocome。"
Hesmiledather。
"IthinkIknowwhatisatthebackofyourmind，"hesaid。"YouthinkthatIamcomingbackentirelyonyouraccount。Asithappens，thisisnotso。"
Shelookedathimwithwide-openeyes。
"Surely，"sheexclaimed，"youhavesatisfiedyourselfthatthereisnofieldforyouringenuityinDreymarsh？"
"IthoughtthatIhad，"headmitted。"ItseemsthatIamwrong。I
havehadorderstoreturn。"
"Orderstoreturn？"sherepeated。"Fromwhom？
Heshookhishead。
"Ofcourse，Ioughtnottohaveaskedthat，"sheproceededhastily，"butitdoesseemoddtorealisethatyoucanreceiveinstructionsandmessagesfromGermany，hereinLondon。"
"VerymuchthesamesortofthinggoesoninGermany，"heremindedher。
"Sotheysay，"sheadmitted，"butonedoesn’tcomeintocontactwithit。SoyouarereallycomingbacktoDreymarsh！"
"Withyou，ifImay？"
"Naturally，"sheagreed。
Heglancedattheclock。"Wemightalmostbestartingforlunch，"
hesuggested。
Shenodded。"AssoonasI’vetoldGroverabouttheluggage。"
Shewasabsentonlyafewmoments，andthen，asitwasadry，sunnymorning，theywalkeddownSt。JamesStreetandalongPallMalltotheCarlton。Philippametseveralacquaintances，butLessinghamwalkedwithhisheaderect，lookingneithertotherightnortotheleft。
"Aren’tyousometimesafraidofbeingrecognised？"sheaskedhim。
"TheremustheagreatmanymenaboutofyourtimeatMagdalen，forinstance？"
"Nineyearsmakesalotofdifference，"heremindedher，"andbesides，Ihaveatheorythatitisonlywhentheeyesmeetthatrecognitionreallytakesplace。SolongasIdonotlookintoanyone’sface，Ifeelquitesafe。"
"YouaresurethatyouwouldnotliketogotoasmallerplacethantheCarlton？"
"Itmakesnodifference，"heassuredher。"Mycredentialshavebeenwonderfullyestablishedforme。"
"I’msoglad，"sheconfessed。"Iknowit’smostunfashionable，butIdolikethesebigplaces。IfeverIhadmyway，IshouldliketoliveinLondonandhaveacottageinthecountry，insteadoflivinginthecountryandbeingjustanhoteldwellerinLondon。"
"IwonderifNewYorkwouldnotdo？"heventured。
"IexpectIshouldlikeNewYork，"shemurmured。
"Ithink，"hesaid，"infact，IamalmostsurethatwhenIleavehereIshallgototheUnitedStates。"
Shelookedathimandturnedsuddenlyaway。Theyarrivedjustthenattheirdestination，andthemomentpassed。Lessinghamlefthiscompanionintheloungewhilehewentbackintotherestauranttosecurehistableandorderlunch。Whenhecameback，hefoundPhilippasittingveryuprightandwithasignificantglitterinhereyes。
"Lookoverthere，"shewhispered，"bythepalm。"
Hefollowedthedirectionwhichsheindicated。Amanwasstandingagainstoneofthepillars，talkingtoatall，darkwoman，obviouslyaforeigner，wrappedinwonderfulfurs。Therewassomethingfamiliarabouthisfigureandtheslightdroopofhishead。
"Why，it’sSirHenry！"Lessinghamexclaimed，asthemanturnedaround。
"Myhusband，"Philippafaltered。
SirHenry，ifindeeditwerehe，seemedafflictedwithasuddenshortsightedness。HemettheincredulousgazebothofLessinghamandhiswifewithoutrecognitionoranysignofflinching。Atthatdistanceitwasimpossibletoseethetighteningofhislipsandthesteelyflashinhisblueeyes。
"Thewhitingseemtohavebroughthimalongway，"Philippasaid，withanunnaturallittlelaugh。
"ShallIgoandspeaktohim？"Lessinghamasked。
"Forheaven’ssake，no！"sheinsisted。"Don’tleaveme。Iwouldn’thavehimcomenearmeforanythingintheworld。ItisonlyafewweeksagothatIbeggedhimtocometoLondonwithme，andhesaidthathehatedtheplace。Youdon’tknow-thewoman？"
Lessinghamshookhishead。
"Shelookslikeaforeigner，"wasallhecouldsay。
"Takemeintolunchatonce，"Philippabegged，risingabruptlytoherfeet。"Thisisreallythelaststraw。"
TheypassedupthestairwayandwithinafewfeetofwhereSirHenrywasstanding。Heappearedabsorbed，however，inconversationwithhiscompanion，anddidnoteventurnaround。Philippa’slittlefaceseemedtohavehardenedasshetookherseat。Onlyhereyeswerestillunnaturallybright。
"Iamsosorryifthishasannoyedyou，"Lessinghamregretted。"Youwouldnotcaretogoelsewhere？"
"I？Goanywhereelse？"sheexclaimedscornfully。"Thankyou，Iamperfectlysatisfiedhere。Andwithmycompanion，"sheadded，withabrilliantlittlesmile。"NowtellmeaboutNewYork。Haveyoueverbeenthere？"
"Twice，"hetoldher。"Atpresentthedreamofmylifeistogotherewithyou。"
Shelookedathimalittlewonderingly。
"Iwonderifyoureallycare，"shesaid。"Mengetsomuchintothehabitofsayingthatsortofthingtowomen。Sometimesitseemstometheymustdoagreatdealofmischief。Butyou-Isthatreallyyourwish？"
"IwouldsacrificeeverythingthatIhaveeverhelddearinlife，"
hedeclared，withhisfaceaglow，"foritsrealization。"
"Butyouwouldbeadeserterfromyourcountry，"shepointedout。
"Youwouldneverbeabletoreturn。Yourestateswouldbeconfiscated。Youwouldbehomeless。"
"Home，"hesaidsoftly，"iswhereone’shearttakesone。Homeisjustwhereloveis。"
Hereyes，astheymethis，wereforamomentsuspiciouslysoft。
Thenshebegantotalkveryquicklyofotherthings，tocomparenotesofcountrieswhichtheyhadbothvisited，evenofpeoplewhomtheyhadmet。Theywereobligedtoleaveearlytocatchtheirtrain。AstheypasseddownthecrowdedrestauranttheyoncemorefoundthemselveswithinafewfeetofSirHenry。Hisbackwasturnedtothem，andhewasapparentlyignorantoftheirnearpresence。ThepartyhadbecomeapartieCarr=A1e，anotherman，andastillyoungerandmorebeautifulwomanhavingjoinedit。
"Ofcourse，"Philippasaid，astheydescendedthestairs，"Iambehavinglikeanidiot。IoughttogoandtellHenryexactlywhatIthinkofhim，orpullhimawayintheapprovedWhitechapelfashion。
Welosesomuch，don’twe，bystiflingourinstincts。"
"Forthenextfewminutes，"hereplied，glancingathiswatch，"I
thinkwehadbetterconcentrateourattentionuponcatchingourtrain。"
TheyreachedKing’sCrosswithonlyafewminutestospare。Grover，however，hadalreadysecuredacarriage，andHelenwaswaitingforthem，ensconcedinacorner。SheacceptedthenewsofLessingham’sreturnwithresignation。Philippabecamethoughtfulastheydrewtowardsthecloseoftheirjourneyandtheslow，frostytwilightbegantocreepdownupontheland。
"Isupposewedon’treallyknowwhatwaris，"sheobserved，lookingoutofthewindowatacomfortablelittlevillagetuckedawaywithabackgroundoftreesandguardedbyaweather-beatenoldchurch。
"Thepeoplearesafeintheirhomes。Youmustappreciatewhatthatmeans，Mr。Lessingham。"
"IndeedIdo，"heansweredgravely。"Ihaveseentheearthtornanddismemberedasthoughbytheploughofsomedestroyingangel。
Afewblackenedruinswhere，anhourorsobefore，apeacefulvillagestood；menandwomenrunningaboutlikelunaticsstrickenwithamortalfear。Andallthetimearedglowonthehorizon，ablood-redglow，andlittlespecksofgreyorbrownlyingalloverthefields；eventhecattleracingroundinterror。AndeverynowandthenthecryofDeath！YouarefortunateinEngland。"
Philippaleanedforward。
"Doyoubelievethatourturnwillcome？"sheasked。"Doyoubelievethatthewavewillbreakoverourcountry？"
"Whocantell？"
"Ah，no，butanswerme，"shebegged。"Isitpossibleforyoutolandanarmyhere？"
"Ithink，"hereplied，"thatallthingsarepossibletothemilitarygeniusofGermany。Theonlyquestioniswhetheritisworthwhile。
Germansaresupposedtobesentimentalists，youknow。Iratherdoubtit。ThereisnothingwouldsetthejoybellsofBerlinclangingsomuchasthenewsofaGermaninvasionofGreatBritain。Ontheotherhand，thereisagreatpartyinGermany，andaveryfar-seeingone，whichiscontinuallyremindingtheGovernmentthat，withoutGreatBritainasamarket，Germanywouldneverrecoverfromthefinancialstrainofthewar。"
"Thisisalltooimpersonal，"Philippaobjected。"Doyou，inyourheart，believethatthetimemightcomewheninthenightweshouldhearthegunsboominginDreymarshBay，andseeyourgrey-cladsoldiersforminguponthebeachandscalingourcliffs？"
"Thatwillnotbeyet，"hepronounced。"Ithasbeenthoughtof。
Onceitwasalmostattempted。Justatpresent，no。"
Philippadrewasighofrelief。
"ThenyourmissioninDreymarshhasnothingtodowithanattemptedlanding？"
"Nothing，"heassuredher。"Icanevengoalittlefurther。Icantellyouthatifeverwedotrytoland，itwillbeinanunsuspectedplace，inanunexpectedfashion。"
"Well，it’sreallyverycomfortingtohearthesethingsatfirst-hand，"Philippadeclared，withsomereturntoherusualmanner。
"Isupposewearereallytwodisgracefulwomen，HelenandI-traitorsandalltherestofit。Herewesittalkingtoanenemyasthoughhewereoneofourbestfriends。"
"Irefusetobecalledanenemy，"Lessinghamprotested。"Therearetimeswhenindividualityisafargreaterthingthannationality。
Iamjustahumanbeing，bornintothesameworldandwarmedbythesamesunasyou。Nothingcanalterthefactthatwearefellowcreatures。"
"Dreymarshoncemore，"Philippaannounced，lookingoutofthewindow。
"Andyou’reaterriblyplausibleperson，Mr。Lessingham。Comeroundandseeusafterdinner-ifitdoesn’tinterferewithyourwork。"
"Onthecontrary，"hemurmuredunderhisbreath。"Thankyouverymuch。"
CHAPTERXVIII
SirHenrywasstandingwithhishandsinhispocketsandaveryblankexpressionuponhisface，lookingoutupontheAdmiraltySquare。Hewasaloneinalarge，barelyfurnishedapartment，thewallsofwhichweresohungwithchartsthatithadalmosttheappearanceofaschoolroompreparedforanadvancedgeographyclass。Thetablefromwhichhehadrisenwascoveredwithanamazingnumberofscientificappliances，somesamplesofrockandsand，twomicroscopesandseveraltelephones。
SirHenry，havingapparentlyexhaustedthepossibilitiesoftheoutlook，turnedsomewhatreluctantlyawaytofindhimselfconfrontedbyanelderlygentlemanofcheerfulappearance，whoatthatmomenthadenteredtheroom。Fromthefactthathehaddonesowithoutknocking，itwasobviousthathewasanintimate。
"Well，mygloomyfriend，"thenewcomerdemanded，"what’swrongwithyou？"
SirHenrywasapparentlyrelievedtoseehisvisitor。Hepushedachairtowardshimandindicatedwithagestureofinvitationaboxofcigarsuponhisdesk。
"YourlittleLaranagas，"heobserved。"Tryone。"
Thevisitoropenedthebox，sniffedatitscontents，andhelpedhimself。
"Now，then，getatit，Henry，"heenjoined。"I’veaBoard=20inhalf-an-hour，andthreedispatchestoreadbeforeIgoin。What’syourtrouble？"
"Lookhere，Rayton，"wasthefirmreply，"Iwanttochuckthisinfernalhole-and-cornerbusiness。ItellyouI’veworkeditthreadbareatDreymarshandit’sgettingjollyuncomfortable。"
Thenewcomergrinned。
"Poorchap！"heobserved，watchinghiscigarsmokecurlupwards。
"You’reinanastymess，youknow，Henry。DidItellyouthatI
hadaletterfromyourwifetheotherday，askingmeifIcouldn’tfindyouajob？"
SirHenrywaitedalittlegrimly，whilsthisfriendenjoyedthejoke。
"That’sallverywell，"hesaid，"butweareonthepointofaseparation，orsomethingofthesort。I’lladmititwasallrightatfirsttorunthethingontheQ。T。，butthat’sprettywellbustedupbynow。Why，accordingtoyourownreports，theyknowallaboutmeontheotherside。"
"Notadoubtaboutit，"theotheragreed。"I’mnotsurethatyouhaven’tgotaspyfellowdownatDreymarshnow。"
"I’mquitesureofit，"SirHenryrepliedgrimly。"ThebrutewaslunchingwithmywifeattheCarltonto-day，and，asluckwouldhaveit，IwaslandedwiththatRussianAdmiral’swifeandsister-in-law。You’rebreakingupthehappyhome，that’swhatyou’redoing，Rayton！"
Hislordshipatanyrateseemedtofindtheprocessamusing。Helaugheduntilthetearsstoodinhiseyes。
"IshouldlovetohaveseenPhilippa’sface，"hechuckled，"whenshewalkedintotherestaurantandsawyouthere！You’resupposedtobeoffonafishingexpedition，aren’tyou？"
"Iwentoutafterwhiting，"SirHenrygroaned，"andI’djustpromisedtochuckitforatimewhenIgottheAdmiral’smessage。"
"Well，we’llseetoyourGermanspy，anyway，"hisvisitorpromised。
"Don’tbeanass！"SirHenryexclaimedirritably。"Idon’twantthefellowtouchedatpresent。Why，he’sbeenasortofpersonagrataatmyhouse。HangsaroundthereallthetimewhenI’maway。"
"Allthemorereasonforputtinganendtohislittlegame，Ishouldsay，"wasthecheerfulreply。
"AndhavethewholeneighbourhoodeitherlaughingatmywifeandMissFairclough，ortalkingscandalaboutthem！"SirHenryretorted。
"Iforgotthat，"hisfriendconfessedruminatively。"He’sagentlemanlysortoffellow，fromwhatIhear，butarottenspy。
Whatdoyouwantdonewithhim？"
"Leavehimformetodealwith，"SirHenryinsisted。"Ihavealittleschemeonhandinwhichheisconcerned。"
Raytonscratchedhischindoubtfully。
"Thefellowmaynotbesuchafoolasheseems，"heremindedhisfriend。
"Iwon’trunanyrisks，"SirHenrypromised。"Ijustwanthimleftthere，that’sall。Andlookhere，Rayton，youknowwhatIwantfromyou。IquiteagreedtoyourproposalsastomyanonymityatthetimewhenIwasupinScotland，butthething’sasecretnolongerwiththepeoplewhocount。EveryoneinGermanyknowsthatI’mamine-fieldspecialist，soIdon’tseewhythedickensIshouldposeanylongerasasortofhalf-bakedidiot。"
Rayton’seyestwinkled。
"YouwanttoplaytheWilsonBarrettheroandmakeatheatricaldisclosureofyourgreatness，"helaughed。"PoorPhilippawillfalluponherknees。Youwillbetheheroofthevillage，whichwillprobablypresentyouwithsomelittlearticleofplate。You’veagoodtimecoming，Henry。"
"Talksense，there’sagoodfellow，"theotherbegged。"YougoandseetheChiefandputittohim。Thereisn’tasinglereasonwhyI
shouldn’townupnow。"=20
"I’llseewhatIcando，"Raytonpromised，"butwhataboutthisfellowLessingham，orwhateverelsehecallshimself，downthere？
There’sachapnamedGriffiths-Commandant，isn’the？-beenwritingusabouthim。"
"Iwon’thaveLessinghamtouched，"SirHenryinsisted。"Hecan’tdoanyparticularharmdownthere，andthereisn’talineoradrawingofminedownatDreymarshwhichheisn’twelcometo。"
LordRaytonrosetohisfeet。
"Lookhere，Henry，oldfellow，"hesaid，"Idosympathisewithyouuptoacertainpoint。ItellyouwhatI’lldo。IshallhavetoanswerPhilippa’sletter，andI’llansweritinsuchawaythatifsheisascleveralittlewomanasIthinksheis，she’llgetahint。
Ofcourse，"hewentonruminatively，"itisratheramisfortunethatthePrincessOllaneffandhersisteraresuchjollygood-lookingwomen。Makesitlookalittlefishy，doesn’tit？WhatImeantosayis，it’safarcryfromfishingforwhitingintheNorthSeatolunchingwithabeautifulprincessattheCarlton-whenyouthinkyourwife’sdowninNorfolk。"
SirHenrythrewopenthedoor。
"Lookhere，I’vehadenoughofyou，Rayton，"hedeclared。"Yougetbackanddoanhour’swork，ifyoucanbringyourmindtoit。"
Thelatterassumedasuddendignity，necessitatedbythesoundofvoicesinthecorridor，anddeparted。Thedoorhadscarcelybeenclosedwhentwoyoungermenpresentedthemselves-MilesEnsol，SirHenry’ssecretary，atypical-lookingyoungsailorminushisleftarm；andapale-faced，clean-shavenmanofuncertainage，incivilianclothes。SirHenryshookhandswiththelatterandpointedtotheeasy-chairwhichhispreviousvisitorhadjustvacated。
"Welcomebackagain，Horridge，"hesaidcordially。"Miles，I’llringwhenIwantyou。"
"Verygood，sir，"thesecretaryreplied。"There’safishermanfromNorfolkdownstairs，whenyou’reatliberty。"
SirHenrynodded。
"I’llseehimpresently。Shuthimupsomewherewherehecansmoke。"
Theyoungmanwithdrew，carefullyclosingthedoor，aroundwhichSirHenry，withawordofapology，arrangedascreen。
"Idon’tthink，"heexplained，"thateavesdroppingextendstothesepremises，orthatourvoicescouldreachoutside。Still，aha’porthofprevention，eh？Haveacigar，Horridge。"
"I’mnotsmokingforadayortwo，thankyou，sir。
"Youlookasthoughthey’dputyouthroughit，"SirHenryremarked。
Hisvisitorsmiled。
"I’vetravelledfourteenmilesinabarrel，"hesaid，"andwewereoutfortwenty-fourhoursinaDanishsailingskiff。Youknowwhattheweather’sbeenlikeintheNorthSea。Beforethat，thelastwordofwritingIsawonGermansoilwasaplacard，offeringarewardoffivethousandmarksformydetention，withadisgustinglylifelikephotographatthetop。Ihadaboutfiftyyardsofquaytowalkinbroaddaylight，andeveryothermanIpassedturnedtostareafterme。Itgivesyouthecoldshiversdownyourbackwhenyoudaren’tlookroundtoseeifyou’rebeingfollowed。"
SirHenrygropedinthecupboardofhisdesk，andproducedabottleofwhiskyandasyphonofsodawater。Hisvisitornoddedapprovingly。