"That is very true; but, at the same time, Lord Chetwynde, in my opinion, happens to be that tenth man who would not come home; for, if he did, it would be Lady Chetwynde's money that he would enjoy, and to a man of his nature this would be intolerable--especially as she has been diligently taunting him with the fact that he has cheated her for the last five years."
Gualtier heard this with fresh surprise.
"I did not know before that there had been so very peculiar a correspondence," said he.
"I think that it will decide him to stay in India."
"But suppose, in spite of all this, that he should come home."
"That is a fact which should never be lost sight of," said Hilda, very gravely--"nor is it ever lost sight of; one must be prepared to encounter such a thing as that."
"But how?"
"Oh, there are various ways," said Hilda.
"He can be avoided, shunned, fled from," said Gualtier, "but how can he be encountered?"
"If he does come," said Hilda, "he will be neither avoided nor shunned. He will be most assuredly encountered--and that, too, _face to face_!"