Agatha contrived to smile. "I'm not sure he's greatly troubled. In any case, I told him I would not marry him—for the second time."
"He has given up his crazy notion, then?"
"He never suggested doing that."
Mrs. Hastings made a little sign of compassionate astonishment.
"Oh," she said, "he's mad."
"I believe I told him he was bloodless. At least, that was how he interpreted what I said."
Mrs. Hastings laughed. "Harry Wyllard bloodless! My dear, can't you see that the restraint he now and then practises is the sign of a tremendous vitality? Still, the man's mad. Did he tell you that he means to leave Gregory in charge of Willow Range?"
Agatha was certainly astonished at this, but Mrs. Hastings nodded. "It's a fact," she said. "He asked him to meet him here to save time, and"—she turned towards the window—"there's his waggon now."
She moved towards the door, and then turned again. "Is there any blood—red blood we will call it—or even common-sense in you? You could have kept that man here if you had wanted."
"No," said Agatha, "I don't think I could. I'm not even sure that if I'd had the right I would have done it. He recognised that."