"For all that, you'll admit that the thing was impossible for me?"

Festing knitted his brows. "I believe you could have overcome your
difficulties; that is, if you had really made an effort and faced the
situation earlier. But since you hadn't nerve enough, I dare say it was
impossible."

"You forget one thing; I hadn't time. At the best, it would have
taken me three or four years to get straight, and as you haven't much
imagination, I suppose you don't realize what Helen's trials would have
been in the meanwhile. An engaged girl's situation isn't easy when her
lover is away. She stands apart, forbidden much others may enjoy, and
Helen would have had to bear her friends' contemptuous pity for being
bound to a man who had turned out a failure or worse."

"I expect that's true," Festing agreed. "However, there's another
difficulty. Suppose I persuade Miss Dalton that you made a plucky fight
and only gave her up when you were beaten? She may refuse to let you go,
and insist on coming out to help."

Charnock started, but with a rather obvious effort recovered his calm.
"You must see your suggestion's stupid. Helen can't come out; I'm going
to marry Sadie."

"I forgot," said Festing. "Well, since you urge me, I'll do what I can,
although I don't like the job."

He left the homestead shortly afterwards, but felt puzzled as he walked
across the plain. When he suggested that Miss Dalton might resolve to
join and help her lover, Charnock had looked alarmed. This was strange,