as, in fact, a very wise man, able to understand most men and women better than they understood themselves. With such understanding, naturally enough, went a rare kindness of heart; the addition

was, I suppose, a

h his niece had sent him, reached

UNCLE

e England just now. I suppose you guess what is coming. I

don't know how to tell you. I just felt floored.... Then-instinctively, I suppose, for I hardly knew what I was doing-I tried to cover up this feeling. I was furious with him for knocking me out. Can you ever understand? And I was pretty rude.

oming away from the Opera. Now hold on to somet

then I realized that he must be down on his luck, and I felt so sorry for him I could have

e's in service quite close to Bell Hammer, with George and Betty Alison-didn't you meet them at Christmas? Lost all their money, and went out as chauffeu

atters very much indeed. Of course it doesn't really matter in the least, but he would never look at it

s to b

ere reversed. Then it would be too easy. As things are, it's a deadlock. And I love him so, Uncle

oving

LE

aid he'll disappear or s

see if there was anything unwritten between the lines. Only once did he raise his eyes from the note-pap

than the reference to Anne-and yet not so much the reference itself as the

nicated by the material channel of the "common or garden" post, and was, in fact, nearing Modane when Valerie rounded the

inted to a weather-beaten arm, upon which th

help me?"

ie sm

old post-over a hundred ye

ught

the village was called

name was changed.

this?" said Anthony, noddi

shook

ry suicides at the cross-roads? Well, one was burie

ver accompan

wasn't it? What a barbarous old world it was!

rer who came from these parts and had

e kill himself

hepherd telling me some of the tale, when I was a little girl, and m

History would probably repeat itself." With a sweep of his

ie no

l show you my window, if you like. I

and turned to su

st one afternoon a week. As long as

e was stepping a

eeve. Hazily he reflected that to retrace such steps as you have taken along the path of Love is a bad business, and that the farther you have elected to venture, so much the more distressing must be your return. And he would have to return. In the absence of a miracle, that journ

attraction was mutual, is it surprising that the effect of each other's company was exhilarating to a degree. Together, they were at the very top of their bent. If the man trod upon air, the maid was glowing. His lady's breath sweetened the smell of autumn;

al, uncut, unworked, unpolished, blazing out of a twofold crown that sat, yoke-like, upon

curled mysteriously into a great sunlit shoulder of forest, where the driven leaves fussed over their footsteps, and the

e thing I've lear

said V

at out in the Army. The work didn't matter. The discomfort, the food, didn't co

nner of herbs,'"

ut there's nothing the matter with the work. Everything depends on the other

d Valerie comple

garden is lovely,

Of course, it's-it's

s

ny no

approached by the back stair

hey say that in Russia there are noblemen sweeping the streets. If one of them was a fri

, b

t w

ervant," said Anthony,

d still and

me 'miss,'" she said, s

, miss," s

arm through his. "And now, if we leave the path and bear to

ever. This was, in fact, a broad natural bank, some thirty feet high. The careful negotiation of a tiny path, followed by a plunge into a thicket, wher

the far side and

," sh

he glory of the forest sank step by colossal step into the purple distance, from which distant in turn a thread of silver argued the ocean. T

d spellbound

was such a view in

lowing cushion of heather which grew conveniently about as close to the edge of the bluff as it was prudent to ventur

e said simply. "Deepe

at the wonder

of this," she said. "What

pread out

ciety,"

for that-wi

pity,

pitied you,"

ooped," sa

oped," was th

for your-your interest, at any rate. You've

d Valerie, staring into the

man sat motionless,

h

ady, don't you see? That's what kills everything. Am I interested? Good God, I'm-I'm crazy! I can think of nothing else. You blot out every

and sped seaward with a smooth rush. The league-long shadow of a cloud swept stately over the gleaming woods, driving the sunlight before it, itself driven b

e can't be friends. I can't be your friend beca

hy

u know it is. I'm crying for something that's utterly, hopelessly, laughably

e had let his passion ride him so recklessly, limp after

win her battle, could she but gain his aid. As if to establish this persuasion, the reflection that the old fellow had straightened more crookedness than any other minister of love came to her hotfoot, and then and there she made up her mind to court him. She yearned to put her arms about her man's neck, but felt that somehow that way lay ruin. Anthony being what he was, it was all-important that she should not show him her hand. He had seen-should see

please don't let go of my hand-let's l

peered into her brain-pan. The sentence, however, was neve

, than the giving way of that portion of the cliff upon which the two were disposed. It was typical of the man that he neither swore nor cried out, and of the soldier that he thought and acted simultaneously.... By the mercy of Heave

of birds, which soared out of their shelter, dismayed and whirling. One bird was fairly gibbering. M

faculty of observation is never so pronounced as when the observer is face to face with Death. Anthony and the lady were looking him in the eyes

nd all, at full length, it follows that from the breast-bone downwards the whole of him was over the cliff. Valerie was altogether in mid-air. She was di

oice Lyveden

ree your r

as able to work the arm free and on to the heather. This, when pulled, came away in her hand. Her finger

he oth

dint, however, of almost dislocating he

aited for i

strength. As it was, the strain upon his two arms was frightful-too frightful to last.... If she could have held herself for five seconds, he could have dragg

aching unbearably, and there was a

d with a shock that this was a movement over which he had no control. Nature, apparently, was rebelling against

, except for tweaking the agony in his chest, the effort wa

nmistakable. After a moment's reflection he decided that the position was that required by the rules of a new game in which he was

Patch," sa

d the terrier obeyed mechanically-circumspe

dressed hi

m's giving out. I'm going to let you go while I pull myself up. It's the only chance. Y

l him over,"

, dear. Do as

creamed the

heather-roots, he refused with all the instinctive terror of the dumb animal, straining every

ll her arm was resting upon the turf and the

et," he said quietl

stomach ... on his thighs ... his k

ke a cat's, Patch w

Valerie's arm with both hands, dug in h

anded in a

e edge of the bluff. He had had enough of cliffs for the rest of his life. His master's interp

*

th the complacent air of the player who is presenting his o

her husband put his cards face downwar

a reason for overbidding me. I confess I can't see

y. "Look at those"-and Betty pointed prou

called

starte

said guiltily. "

grimly. "After all, they

y's procedure and bearing at the Bridge table would have unhinged an enthusiast, but since the four dome

pponents, George proceeded lab

ch it was her mistress's practice to consume at bed-time. Mr. Bumble, as became his sex, favoured something more substantial, and light refreshment in the shape of a ham sandwich and a bottle of beer before ret

the dressing-room, his master w

" said Lyveden, "I hope

. There now! Maria!" Mrs. Bumble appeared in her doorway in a red

s!" said M

mble, "o' that sanwidge makes me

another one, si

ll me with kindness. Why, I could eat sixty, I coul

, Tony?" inquir

, ma

a nice bottle,"

u very mu

," said Mr. Bumble, not t

k you

it," was the

od night" and left th

rks. He wondered if there were any other footmen who were also Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. That there were no other footmen who were so comfortably housed, he was sure. And Patch was in clover. Anthony reflected that he had much to be thankful for. A dinner of herbs was infinitely better than none at all. He was, you observe, unconsciously convert

turned this evening to find Anthony in the act of setting two bottles of beer upon

h and blood, to say nothing of a lawful wife, running round the Bumbles from morning till night. I admit that on two several occasions your predecessor produc

to the room. "I recognized the tone of

ker than water. And now will you take my boots off before you

upon the table and raised he

she said, "

down, the glas

moment's

ome," said her husban

slipped off the table with a yawn. "And now I'm going to bed. Don't let him si

we going?"

ou. Everybody drives anywhere and anyhow. You're backed into, you're always being called on to stop your engine, you're expected to be able to turn in a

ple, obviously

I'm not looking forward to that side.

ny no

ith the Blackmore Vale. My

it with the Pytchley b

ment nob

come and gone as they pleased, before there had been a new earth and, seemingly, a new heaven. Old sounds rang

Betty quietly. "D

ed out of

that George Alison

k what her life should be, and then look at what it is. And her father's worth half a million. He cut her off when she married me. I had enough for two the

room and touched h

tead of one. My dear fellow, if Betty regretted her bargain, then she'd need your sympathy. A

how she dried

l you why?"

hy

re going to a meet in blue, and

beer, and George reti

re patience than Alison possessed. He was forced, in fact, to borrow from Anthony. Indeed, he afterwards

lly clear that the Bumbles had been mistaken. A passing butcher, when interrogated, grinningly vouchsafed the information that the m

stressingly obvious to every one but himself. To follow his directions was fatal. Failure to appreciate his directions was at once easier and more disastrous. What was still more unfavourable was that, in possessing himself of the map, Mr. Bumble became possessed of a devil. There was no doubt a

almost i

ap ought to be prosecuted. The warmth with which he committed this belief to the speaking-tube rendered it not so much inaudible as incoherent, and George, who believed it to be a further direction, had to ask

ere greased. Thereafter it was no longer a question of revoluti

miles slunk

as we know, was busily engaged in administering comfort, temporal an

"with his arms round your neck. Your only chance

ve to return to Buck's Folly and start all over again, when Anthony heard a

just there, sir

d to see the familiar medley of cars and dog-carts, bicycles and phaetons, saddle-horses and governess-ca

Bumble dropped the map and

the congestion to which they were soon contributing was like a flick on the collar, and te

ted, and George and Antho

inly glad of it. His careless, handsome face was radiant, his manner full of an easy, inoffensive confidence, his gaiety-to judge from his companions' laughte

d inquired by letter how she was doing. After receiving two little notes, each of which assured him that she was not one penny the wor

t. He will walk about the fragment delicately; possibly he will touch it with the tip of an envious tongue; presently he will lie down at a

s of a dream so wonderful that they were frightened. The gift was too p

of the foundations of this fabric. It was not founded at all. Neither had it grown out of friendship. It had no infancy. Had the two never met, it is probable that-circumstances permitting-each would some day have fallen in love with somebody else. And that would

re not seraphim. They were mortal enough, and, if more than ordinarily attractive, revealed upon close examination a very ordinary collection of failings. The wonder was not in themselves. The fact that their natures were in just accord, was, at the most, curious. It was true, nevertheless. Each wa

ed to see him, could not enjoy a pastime from participation in which footmen are for a variety of reasons so rigorously debarred. Incidentally, she had seen Anthony before he had seen her, and the smile with which he had credited her companion's bonhomie was due to his presence alone. Had this been explained to the young sportsman, as on

aid Lady T

o had descended,

ladyship alighted. "I'm going to look a

ood, my

ved off in

f flunkeys was in his veins. As a matter of fact, one hundred years before, his grandfather had done much escort dut

a lady w

bluntly, but it was not her fault that the messen

been Caliban himself that had growled the message, the smile woul

e was yet in some dudgeon. Beyond heaving a sigh charged with the resignation of a martyr wh

d his hat. Appearances had to be kept up. Valerie inclined her head gravely enough, but the

u?" he aske

tly all

ur

nodded,

next day," she said. "W

r a day

Pat

ght as

ree on Sunday?

wo o'cl

come to Be

," said

with the two-seater. To

to London. Have-have yo

our w

ndow," sai

ny no

quietly. "I-I c

a shrine. Already worshipful as Valerie's bower, the ledge was freshly co

teps. And-oh, please don't go so close to the edge,

ith her hand gripping the woodwork. There was a strained, pleading look upon the beautiful

, Anthony's hea

e, sweet,

ew-burning stars. To deck her favourite, Nature had robbed the firmament. T

ort Anthony pulled

w the thicket-and not a step farther. He just stands there and wags his tail

laughed

," she said. "It

d I leave my fl

rt, much as the sudden rasp of curtain-rings scatters the rear of slumber. It was providential that the world was moving again. The s

s, you did, Peter. Here you are." She plucked the lost property from the bowels of the seat and rose to restore it. "B

appea

ot a groom in a million, I should

said Valerie, d

ing Astonishment out of the way. Anthony had spoken as

ly think

at once so irregular and so appropriate. Instinct had shown herself to be ab

and Anthony glanced ov

he said quiet

. Every gazed after him with his hat in his h

a footman," he

*

never seen the view from The Beacon, the Alisons, all t

were brea

ply must see it. It's the most

d have staked a month's wages that he could have shown them a f

d the tints at this time of year

lose an opportunity of insult. Why 'eve

at the Russian Ba

"Rake over the muck-he

slumber. I merely ad

should snore?" said his wife

y on the arm and nodd

eye," he said. "See? The

led the matchbox at her unsuspecting spouse. The missile ricocheted off his

r had bee

ce," said Betty. "Bef

the ballet?"

Anne. "Why don't you

, and you know y

se do," sa

t. He liked her. There was, of course, but one woman in the world. Still A

s arranged th

rew, driving hither and thither in a frolic that knew no law, buffeting either cheek, hustling bewildered vanes, cuffing the patient trees into a dull roar of protest that rose and fell, a sullen harmony, joyless and m

"It's always worth seeing; but you won'

lanced at

e bare, it's just as well we're going there to-day. Tha

lau

sn't," she said, "what

e your

y stoo

ou home-quick,"

ked-elsewhither. Had he not known that Valerie was away, he would have excused himself at breakfast. Not for anyt

And I know you don't want to come," she added, bubblin

, committed a breach of good taste, which must be repaired forthwith. He determined to b

iously healthy. For years now Fortune had never piped to her, but that did not keep her from dan

o pass

hattering all the time and taking odd paths and random grass-grown tracks with an unconscious confidence which was almost uncanny. More than once she turned to strike across some gr

his companion set was

e point of pleadi

ed Miss Alison. "Round t

as lost upon Anthony, and

he whistle was never delivered. The first was that the Sealyham was only five paces in rear. The se

wung round, to find himself face to face with

*

e finger-post, saw Patch dormant at the foot o

plain terms. She was, of course, to see him on Sunday, but that was four days away. Besides, she wanted to meet him upon that gravel cliff-that window-sill whose freehold they shared. High matters were on the edge of settlement. It was appropriate that they should there be settled where, in a mad moment, Fate had staked upon one cast all the kingdoms of the earth and their glory-staked them and lost them. That it was n

all come to pass. She had wanted to meet her man, to see him ere he knew she was there, to find him there at the windo

he tiny path and passed a-

an elf that stole across

lided in

r it. No coats, no umbrella, no not

rst time," said

d Anthony. "The woods'll shel

said Anne. "A nice hot

all stea

on?" said Ant

d across the clearing. A moment late

eard their voices gettin

one with the rain. This fairly pelted upon her, but

d of her dark hair loose and flung it

ed too, and for the second time