Everyone was standing about in the big hall exchanging good nights and last snippets of talk before taking their several ways to bed.

Peter drew Nan a little to one side.
"Nan, is it true that you're engaged to Trenby ?" he asked.
"Quite true." She had to force the answer to her lips.

Mallory's face was rather stern.
"Why didn't you tell me this afternoon ?" "I--I couldn't, Peter," she said, under her breath.

"I couldn't." His face still wore that white, unsmiling look.

But he drew Nan's shaking hands between his own and held them very gently as he put his next question.
"You don't care for him." It was more an assertion, than a question, though it demanded a reply.
"No." His grasp of her hands tightened.
"Then, for God's sake, don't make the same hash of your life as I made of mine.