answered simply.

"Oh, I'm sorry--I'm sorry! . . . I--I never thought of that when I
asked you to be a pal to her." Her voice shook uncontrollably.

He smiled again--the game half-weary, half-tenderly amused smile which
was so characteristic.

"You needn't be sorry," he said, speaking with great gentleness. "I
shall never be sorry that I love her. It's only that just now she
doesn't need me. That's why I won't come down to Mallow."

"Not need you!"

"No. The man she needs has come back. I can't tell you _how_ I
know--you'll have to trust me over that--but I do know that Maryon
Rooke has come back to her and that he is the man who means everything
to her."

Kitty's brows drew together as she pondered the question whether Peter
were right or wrong in his opinion.

"I don't think you're right," she said at last in tones of conviction.
"I don't believe she 'needs' him at all. I dare-say he still
fascinates her. He has"--she hesitated--"a curious sort of fascination
for some women. And the sooner Nan is cured of it the better."

"I've done--all that I could," he answered briefly.

"Don't I know that?" Kitty slipped her arm into his. "You've been