And in silence she raised it to her lips.
They remained so for a while, he still partly turned from her, his perplexed and narrowing gaze fixed on the window, she pressing his clenched hand to her lips, thoughtful and silent.
"Before Austin comes," he said at length, "let's get the thing over--and buried--as long as it will stay buried." "Yes, dear." "Well, then--then--" but his throat closed tight with the effort.
"Alixe is here," she said gently; "did you know it ?" He nodded.
"You know, of course, that she's married Jack Ruthven ?" He nodded again.
"Are you on leave, Phil, or have you really resigned ?" "Resigned." "I knew it," she sighed.
He said: "As I did not defend the suit I couldn't remain in the service.
There's too much said about us, anyway--about us who are appointed from civil life.

And then--to have _that_ happen!" "Phil ?" "What ?" "Will you answer me one thing ?" "Yes, I guess so." "Do you still care for--her ?" "I am sorry for her." After a painful silence his sister said: "Could you tell me how it began, Phil ?" "How it began?
I don't know that, either.

When Bannard's command took the field I went with the scouts.

Alixe remained in Manila.

Ruthven was there for Fane, Harmon & Co.