they will have to move before long. Dacre's leave will be up, and they
must allow time to get back. Stella talks as if they are fixed there for
ever and ever."

"She is enjoying it then?" Monck's voice still sounded as if he were
thinking of something else.

Tommy made grudging reply. "I suppose she is, after a fashion. I'm
pretty sure of one thing." He spoke with abrupt force. "She'd enjoy it a
deal more if I were with her instead of Dacre."

Monck laughed, a curt, dry laugh. "Jealous, eh?"

"No, I'm not such a fool." The boy spoke recklessly. "But I know--I
can't help knowing--that she doesn't care twopence about the man. What
woman with any brains could?"

"There's no accounting for women's tastes or actions at any time," said
Monck. "She liked him well enough to marry him."

Tommy made an indignant sound. "She was in a mood to marry any one.
She'd probably have married you if you'd asked her."

Monck made an abrupt movement as if he had lost his balance, but he
returned to his former position immediately. "Think so?" he said in a
voice that sounded very ironical. "Then possibly she has had a lucky
escape. I might have been moved to ask her if she had remained free much
longer."

"I wish to Heaven you had!" said Tommy bluntly.