Bertramwasnotquitehimselfthatnight。Billyadmittedthem。Shehadplainlybeenwatchingandwaiting。Arkwrightneverforgotthelookonherfaceashereyesmethis。Therewasacuriousmixtureofterror，hurtpride，relief，andshame，overtoppedbyafierceloyaltywhichalmostseemedtosayaloudthewords：Don’tyoudaretoblamehim!’
Arkwright’sheartachedwithsympathyandadmirationattheproudlycourageouswayinwhichBillycarriedoffthenextfewpainfulminutes。Evenwhenhebadehergoodnightalittlelater，onlyhereyessaidthankyou。’Herlipsweredumb。
ArkwrightoftenwenthomewithBertramafterthat。Notthatitwasalwaysnecessary——
farfromit。Sometime，indeed，elapsedbeforehehadquitethesameexcuseagainforhispresence。
ButhehadfoundthatoccasionallyhecouldgetBertramhomeearlierbyadroitsuggestionsofonekindoranother；andmoreandmorefrequentlyhewassucceedingingettinghimhomeforagameofchess。