"Neither the War Office nor I myself," Thomson continued, "have arrived at these suspicions without some reason. Perhaps you will look at the matter a little more seriously when I tell you that Captain Granet will not be allowed to return to the Front.""Not be allowed?" she repeated. "Hugh, you are not serious!""I have never been more serious in my life," he insisted. "I am not in a position to tell you more than the bare facts or I might disclose some evidence which even you would have to admit throws a rather peculiar light upon some of this young man's actions. As it is, however, I can do no more than warn you, and beg you," he went on, "to yield to my wishes in the matter of your further acquaintance with him."There was a moment's rather curious silence. Geraldine seemed to be gazing through the walls of the room. Her hands were clenched in one another, her fingers nervously interlocked.
"I shall send for him to come and see me the first thing to-morrow morning,"she decided.
"You will do nothing of the sort," Thomson objected firmly.
She turned her head and looked at him. He was conscious of the antagonism which had sprung up like a wall between them. His face, however, showed no sign.
"How do you propose to prevent me?" she asked, with ominous calm.
"By reminding you of your duty to your country," he answered. "Geraldine, dear, I did not expect to have to talk to you like this. When I tell you that responsible people in the War Office, officials whose profession it is to scent out treachery, have declared this young man suspect, I am certainly disappointed to find you embracing his cause so fervently. It is no personal matter. Believe, me," he added, after a moment's pause, "whatever my personal bias may be, what I am saying to you now is not actuated in the slightest by any feelings of jealousy. I have told you what I know and it is for you to make your choice as to how much or how little in the future you will see of this young man. But I do forbid you, not in my own name but for our country's sake to breathe a single word to him of what I have said to you.""It comes to this, then," she said, "that you make accusations against a man and deny him the right of being heard?""If you choose to put it like that, yes," he assented. "Only I fancied that considering--considering the things between us, you might have taken my word."He leaned a little towards her. If she had been looking she could scarcely have failed to have been touched by the sudden softness of his dark eyes, the little note of appeal in his usually immobile face. Her eyes, however, were fixed upon the diamond ring which sparkled upon her third finger. Slowly she drew it off and handed it to him.
"Hugh," she said, "the things you speak of do not exist any more between us.
I am sorry, but I think you are narrow and suspicious. You have your own work to do. It seems to me mean to spend your time suspecting soldiers who have fought for their king and their country, of such a despicable crime.""Can't you trust me a little more than that, Geraldine?" he asked wistfully.
"In what way?" she demanded. "I judge only by the facts, the things you have said to me, your accusations against Captain Granet. Why should you go out of your way to investigate cases of suspected espionage?""You cannot believe that I would do so unless I was convinced that it was my duty?""I cannot see that it is your business at all," she told him shortly.
He rose from his place.
"I am very sorry, Geraldine," he said. "I will keep this ring. You are quite free. But--look at me."Against her will she was forced to do as he bade her. Her own attitude, which had appeared to her so dignified and right, seemed suddenly weakened. She had the feeling of a peevish child.
"Geraldine," he begged, "take at least the advice of a man who loves you.
Wait."
Even when he had opened the door she felt a sudden inclination to call him back. She heard him go down the hall, heard the front door open and close.
She sat and looked in a dazed sort of way at the empty space upon her finger.
Then she rose and went into the drawing-room, where her father and mother were still reading. She held out her hand.
"Mother," she announced, "I am not engaged to Major Thomson any more."The Admiral laid down his newspaper.
"Damned good job, too!" he declared. "That young fellow Granet's worth a dozen of him. Never could stick an Army Medical. Well, well! How did he take it?"Lady Conyers watched her daughter searchingly. Then she shook her head.
"I hope you have done wisely, dear," she said.
