“Dare sprang forward, catching him by the shoulder⁠—crying out that it could not be true! When Jack laughed⁠—he fell away from him as from the plague. And all of them! My God, to see them drawing away⁠—not looking at Jack! And Jack’s face⁠—growing paler and harder⁠ ⁠… every moment.⁠ ⁠… All his friends⁠ ⁠… turning their backs to him. Davenant⁠—even Jim Davenant walked away to the fireplace with Evans.

“I could not look at Jack. I dared not. I could not go to him⁠—stand by him! I had not the right. I had to leave him there⁠—in the middle of the room⁠—alone. The awful hurt in his eyes made me writhe. The room was whirling round⁠—I felt sick⁠—I know I fell back into my chair, hiding my face. I hardly cared whether they suspected me or not. But they did not. They knew how great was the love between us, and they were not surprised that I broke down.

“I heard Andover’s soft voice⁠ ⁠… he was telling some tale to Dare. Oh, they were well-bred those men! They skimmed over the unpleasant little episode⁠—ignored Jack!