Lakely must have written during his absence, and Chilcote,
having marked the engagement, felt no further responsibility.
The invitation could scarcely have been verbal, as Chilcote,
he knew, had lain very low in the five days of his return
home.
So he argued, as he stood with the book still open in his
hands, the blue cross staring imperatively from the white
paper. And from the argument rose thoughts and suggestions
that seethed in his mind long after the lights had been
switched off, long after the fire had died down and he had
been left wrapped in darkness in the great canopied bed.
And so it came about that he took his second false step. Once
during the press of the next morning's work it crossed his
mind to verify his convictions by a glance at the directory.
But for once the strong wish that evolves a thought conquered
his caution. His work was absorbing; the need of verification
seemed very small. He let the suggestion pass.
At seven o'clock he dressed carefully. His mind was full of
Lakely and of the possibilities the night might hold; for more
than once before, the weight of the 'St.
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