en tone Lyvede

cts were so clearly stated, conclusions so reasonably drawn, points so firmly made-all without a trace of emotion, yet seriously offered in t

faltered a

erately to think-to be mistress of her thoughts-but, so long as the voice prevailed, the impression that

rling avenue and slipped past the tall lodge-gates. If all went well, anoth

eternally asking was what would happen when the engine of the brain, at present running free, was once more engaged with the system it was used to control. Would the coupling break suddenly, and her man go an idiot for life? That she could not believe. Or would the old balance

is permitted again to take the helm.... Well, the ship is half-way across-half-way across those narrow straits which divide reason from lunacy. We've got to take the helm and put it over just as hard as ever we can. You understand? In a word, if, for instance, Major Lyveden were to revisit Gramarye, I think the game would be up. That, of course, can't happen. But it is, in my op

again to take the helm,' who was to stop her? Had Miss French put that question to Sir Willoughby, he would have replied, "Yourself." For t

was just. It was she who had brought a gallant gentleman to this pass-she who had smashed the exquisite wonder of melody th

mar

ppeal. Flesh and blood were one thing, but a wild mystery of woodland, the desolate grandeur of a ruined park, the majestic havoc of a proud estate-these were another matter. L

e would fight. It was her own fault.... It was typical of the girl that the fact that she had already paid very heavily never once occurred to her. She

she wondered what line

chings, Valerie's heart burned within her.) Then he would call his Sealyham and speak to him of the lady, asking if she were not wonderful and a sight for sore eyes. "When she calls you, Patch, aren't you proud of your name? And she took your head in her hands to-day. I saw her. Such sweet, pretty hands.... And you looked in her eyes, Patch, and then you licked her nose

and she exchanged whispers, and, after another glance at the silent figure upon the bed,

*

ock of a sullen March

missed hi

away listless

munication to the three great sailors, whose hearing was gone. Gloomily the latte

o, not another penny can be spent on this estate. Obviously the work's got to stop. I know you don't want wages, but you've got t

d.... And, as I say, I'm commissioned to offer you all your passage to Can

ps think

cept, report to me there to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. T

audience wade through the weathered fringe of bracken and turn on to t

ad been prepared for suspicion, defiance, violence. Instead, his service of the warrant had been accepted without a word. He had no shred of authority, but not the slightest attempt had been made to call his bluff. It had been, in fact, a painful walk-over. The

n road went paving a deep corridor, straight, silent, its black walls towering. Distance and gloom lent these a grim symmetry, suggestive of duress; above, a grey ribbon of sky issued a stony comfort, such as prisoners use.... With a shiver, Every turned away his head. To the north the ground fell sharply, and the cut of the road vouchsafed a glimpse of what it led to-woo

a silence more tense and death-li

e tree-tops. The whimper became a whine.... Reaching the pinewood, the note slid into a moan, that rose sl

s, the man waited

?" said a q

iolently and tu

in the saddle sat a girl, in a habit of dark blue cloth. So dim was the light that Every could not distinguish her f

t this time there was a silkiness in t

t," he said lightly. "I'm so

"History repeats itself." For a moment she hes

with no idea of what she

i'th'arm re

coldly, "you are a

ent the girl shrugged her shoulders. Then a ri

lled up b

ity do you dism

y into the angry eyes.

quietly, "but by what

ury of the pale peaked face, the haughty set of the lips

never

é turned her head to stare

enture ... and a lot that-that wasn't mine

er tone, Every's resentme

ent that you were-er-interested, I shouldn't have dreamed of moving in the matter without your consent." He hesitated. Then-

ave a d

y'd allow my claim,

lowed befo

ry," he said

question of money. It's a question of men." And

ded that s

g, I'm doing with the approval of Mr. Plowman, solicitor to Colo

é quietly. "But for this park

's cage, rose up before him, and a great wave of pity for his companion swept into his heart. It occurred

und. And those clowns you're sacking are priests-sworn to moil and toil for Gramarye until she's sucked the brains out of their heads. And you're spoiling her game ... I should go carefully, if I were you, m

afraid,"

dn't have lost his eyes." She broke off and shrugged her shoulders. Then-"And now, if yo

very. "But the chap w

breathe

e's too

reins, flung back her head, and

rst Richard Winchester, and then Anthon

tful, unsuspecting Valerie-was hideously involved. He wondered if Lyveden deliriou

e reviewed

tuation for Gramarye, so that he might feel free to worship Valerie. On their joint love the whole thing was founded. Everything had been arranged on that

re i

s reflections wi

ho

i'th'arm's e

priest,"

an Major

d

might be rough on the girl, but that could not be helped, and would eventually, he

m not at liber

hy

ng of visiting hi

ow where Majo

rew him

I've seen those in charge of him, an

a right

Then he look

nchester's fia

breath. Then sh

oman," she said broken

shall be taken away ev

of those outcasts ..

bankr

. Listen. I'll be at Girdle till Friday. That day I'll leav

vague idea of getting

l stared at him with

't tell me, I suppose there are other ways...." She picked up the reins. "And so you're a friend o

to the gloomy corridor and dwindle slowly to a mere blur of blue and grey under the shadow o

work was gone, and by ten o'clock on Friday morning his

rm worried him sorely. He was convinced that between her and Anthony there had been a serious affair. Himself devoted to Valerie, this made him furious; remembering her devotion to Lyveden, it scared him. If, after all that had happene

is proposal to recover his tobacco-pouch. He had laid it down on the tre

from the road. After a moment's hesitation, he decided to risk it. He could not drive to the spot, for from here, for a furlong or so, the road was in ribbons. They s

ross the lean brown road. It was his haste in surmounting this obstacle that was responsible for the simple but painful fracture of his

, thanks to his efforts, the estate was now deserted, he became extremely uneasy. And

r to-day, I shouldn't come

*

thony weakly, "that

tone smiled

rie should be here to welcome you, but she

se, the local doctor had ordered her to bed forthwith. Valerie had obeyed dumbly. She knew that she had come to the end of her tether, and so to that of her wit; and since, to deal at all hopefully with Anthony's return to con

uietly to sleep. This promise he had immediately broken by asking anxiously for news of his dog. Learning that Patch was below, and well and happy, he had spoken no more. After eighteen hours he had awaked, greatly refreshed, to find himself the cynosure of three pairs of eyes. T

ub grinned reassuringly. "He's extremely pleased with you, a

," said the pa

erub n

. "But you're all right now. And if you'll promise to

s face f

l for all you've done." His eyes turned to Lady Touchstone. "A

. "If you would like it, you and your hostess can have a little chat-for t

," said

ter the two

slowly, "but I'm afraid it must have been a terrible

clination to b

ably off. Since you've been ill, you've come into money-more t

moment to tell him that he

the man did n

get here?

an of your inches and carry him single-handed right from the front door. I know he rowed for Cambridge, but, all the same, it was the act of

son? How on earth--" He stopped short and

ow lie down again, there's a dear boy

ly, raising a trembling hand. "D'you mean to sa

eart leaped i

f a man who lay unconscious for over two years-th

to peer at

for the nurs

y had

*

the science of physic, the love of women, the wisdom of friends, had

d over, and the craft had answered as sweetly as any swish-tailed circus nag. Gramarye and all her works, if not forgotten

nd the two-blind leading the blind-had satisfactorily fixed the very date of his collapse, George Alison was sent for.

ory of her array. No one had ever seen her look so beautiful.

en cannot

Tall, straight, clean-limbed, her figure remembered graces of a younger age. The simple flowered-silk dress looked as though all who put it on must go in elegance. Silk and satin covered her precious feet. A nosegay of violets, brooched to her gown, e

ndered when sh

swift whisper, the rust

e by h

Val

h fell upo

nd to his lips. Then he turned

, Valerie almost gath

ove me,

he just clung t

very sorry, dear, I kissed you like that-the day I went down. I dreamed about it. I dreamed you came to me, and I apologized." With

glad,

I've had such a wonderful dream. I've been wai

d you dr

it's almost impossible to appreciate that it's all a dream. I can remember every detail of the journey-I had Patch with me-down to the faces of my fellow-passengers. A w

ting the blind. After a little, this sense of shabbiness was suddenly supplanted by a perfect torment of apprehension lest Anthony should detect her hypocrisy. Presently, before her breathless interest

he unspoken order, and the nurse wit

you go,

evening,

sighed f

ith my old dream. I've hardly spoken of

e never knew when-if, even, we should ever see one

. "And when you say you are-w

head. An instant, a

were a

would

ke you

wait u

ere a

rness. Poor Anthony could no

ft cheek against his. Then sh

moment sh

*

sist upon the gravity of his late disorder was most undesirable. Besides, if at this juncture a specialist's visit to Bell Hammer could serve any useful purpose, Heron was the man to pay it. It was he who had walked and talked with Lyveden when the latter's brain had been sick. So he alone of the doctors could compare Philip drunk with Philip sober. Happily no such comparison was necessary. Had it been vital, it could not have been made. For the patient to renew the acquaintance of the artist he had met at Gramarye-and that in the per

equent, reports were re

ce Mo

t wrote it, and the matter is to the point. I would, sirs, th

Ham

Br

nt

11th

SIR G

nues mercifully to

sition of a great fortune, but the man whom my niece is delighting to honour. Lyveden is a man of great personal charm and fine character, and I am sure that he will administer his heritage wisely and

vancing out of my province, I begged leave to ask him a question or two, to which the most exacting of opponents co

ften as he will revisit Gramarye, the patient treads it with a firm, confident step. I do not matter-besides, I must soon return to Rome-but, by my advice, Valerie and those who are and are to be about him are schooling themselves to use t

terest, to which alone he owes his fortune. His great desire is to thank y

hile I shall write again before that, I shall hope

iev

very

FOR

e of independence had, as we know, been broached by Lady Touchstone: it was becoming

eived the news w

rgil that he had learned as a boy. Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit. Times without number he had been glad of the tag. And now it had served its turn.... Looking back upon his penury, he could not wish that he had been spared those lean, ill-favoured days. And when, because of these, Monseigneur Forest reviled himself, Lyveden refused to listen, declaring that the experience had been invaluable, and must surely stand the camel in good stead when the ti

tc

w that he was mending. The twofold consideration set the flame of his devotion flaring. Yet, when he visited his master, the jet must be reduced to a pilot.... The marvel is the dog did not burst. Instead, placed within reach, he would set a quivering foot upon the bed and lick the caressing hand with a touch that would not have broken a bubble. Presently, whimpering with excitement, he would post about the chamber, see

the best his dull

d fill with tears. Could you be told whence comes the gift which you give Anthony, your little tail would be clapped between your legs.... Yet have I heard tell of a

crap of a dog err

smiling, or shrill, or tear

e Law, that book had been closed as gently and firmly as mortal man could close it. By the removal of the steward, neither men nor beasts engaged there had been left one penny the worse. The former, indee

Anthony's wardrobe with the utmost care, saying which of the garments he had seen before and which had been acquired since their owner's departure from Hawthorne. The latter were carefully destroyed. Lyveden's few personal effects were subjected to a similar scrutin

r than physic. The one stimulated; the other composed. A twinkling hour of Lady Touchstone's company was like a glass of champagne. A talk with the Monseigneur rivalled the quality o

so, that when, upon St. George's Day, Patch came trotting with a red rose in his mouth, he found the bed empty and his master sitting cheerfully upon a sofa before the fuss and worr

*

look came into

said, bubbling, "of what I've be

laughed

'd half a mind to give up having hydrangeas and-a

ed a little c

tending. I know perfectly well what you were thinking about.

mpt. Gramarye had lost her sting. Spoiled of her puissance, she had sun

east, not directly. I was thinking of an arg

did he

ractically everything that came to pass in my dream was originally suggested by some outside influence. Water being poured into a basin suggests a brook. A sewing-machine becomes a train. The hiss of a burning log escaping steam. So much for the ears. Now for the eyes. A maid helps the nurse to move a sofa-I see timber being hauled.

f Summer was still wrought with the brilliant embroidery of a heavy dew. Lawns, flower-borders, and stiff box charactery sparkled and shone in the hot sunshine. The sky was cloudless: a haze kept to itself the distant prom

pect. In a chaise longue by his side Valerie was engaged in the desultory composition of a letter to her uncl

ed-haired nurse?" sa

shook

u had the same two

ember she knew me. She'd been hunting and looked like a Bacchanal. She turned up again later on-one night. I was jus

f dreams," said Valerie

the middle of her letter, and, below it again, BACCHANAL. Casually s

ng," said Anthony. "I

ere. She had to tell

, it wa

had stopped beating. She could have s

hap," she s

d her

I knew her name.... And then he cursed me, because she was his fiancée, and she fairly tore him up. Then she chucked down his ring and drove off. There must have been a car

en Valerie scrambled to her feet and put her

said reproachfully. "And now come al

. The two could not know that, while they passed down the steps into the sunlit flower-garden, a girl with auburn hair was pushing a frant

Lyveden responded to Valerie's invitation, he did not rise to

aid slowly, kni

ng to pick a rose. His serious tone, howev

es

r-there was something wrong.

y the girl rep

led into belief. Lately she had made sure that upon the first day, when Anthony had wept in her arms, he and she had been treading upon its grave. And now here it was-like a river full in their path,

. Her treatment of them was to be governed by ruthless premises. Finally, if she ma

zig-zagged. The next mo

You see, I'm very much ashamed. And, when my eyes were open

ly flashed through the rules

lapsed precisely at one-fifteen upon the 16th of November. He ha

lain in a trance. This was the second article, wh

econcile the servant's report with the articles of his faith, a third tenet bec

e governing

r the

nt enlightenment by Anne herself-there is the skeleton whose dry bones he and she are to pick over-a gruesome business which has already been dispatched ... upon the twent

gest that the highly delicate ground she

at a slip on he

e they will be retrieved to be turned against her-used to her condemnation by Anthony fra

a hand across

ll you what

said

an awful cropper that I didn't want any more falls. But you would have it out.... And you said-don't laugh-th

t a green box wall, Val

h

ly true," she

ny st

t's

mber the meet at

es

you said the spot meant so much t

ny no

said I was going a

fect

o tell you, so I went-to the 'window.'" Anthony starte

Vale

nearly jumped over the cliff. I think the shock sent me blind. I'd always grudged her being so much with you. I want you to know the truth. She was always at the back of my mind. And when I

hy didn't you gi

, in spite of it all, I loved you just as much. And that made me so furious, I could h

t w

enant. D'you remember how Uzzah died because he touched the Ark? Well, you had to die.... And now"-she spread out her

stop

the shadow of the green box wall two butterflies flitted and whirled in the hot sunshi

his hands, Anth

was such agony in this world.... I deserved it, I know. Don't think I'm complainin

hands were

could see that he was ga

y carefully, Valerie. You've no idea how carefully." The girl stared at him. This was uncanny-as if he could read her thoughts. He went on breathlessly. "My dream, dear. This is what happened in my dream.... You reproached yourself in just the same handsome w

f Anthony was afraid to co

sailed noisily out of earshot. The sudden snap of jaws suggested that Patch, wh

ore. And presently-very soon now-there's a snare-a hole in the road. And if we go in, Va

ry of his tone wru

she stretche

ecoiled w

And we started to walk. We had been standing. We started to walk back towards the cottage. And I felt ab

y watching Lyveden cudgelling his brains for the password back to Insanity. Any second he might stumble upon it. For once, mercifully, his me

ul pass, which Anthony was straining every nerve to recall. This rose up vivid. His reference to the kiss he had given her-her soft reply-the way he had taken her in his arms-the

ave a gre

d--" He stopped suddenly and clapped a hand over his mouth. After a moment, "'Sh," he said shakily. "I mustn't repeat your words. That'd be moving. And we mustn't move, Valerie. We're just

d in an instant he

etween his teeth, he stared fixedly a

stood sp

t the fat bee had decide

he timber of the park murmured the news faintly.... With a sigh the tall elms of the avenue c

ent Valerie's he

back her head a

bee sucks,

ip's bell

throat felt as though it had steel ban

ouch when

owls

ls do c

ng-she could see them-beginning to bob up and down. The boughs them

fter sunset, merrily, merril

ng. The breeze had passed.... An e

rrily, shall

som that hangs

rrily, shal

som that hangs

som that hangs

y smile, Lyveden

o my lady and cau

"Exquisite, Valerie. I never kn

agged, and he was just in time

scious for more than five seconds. It was, indeed, at her

at he should be g

I was all worked up about that rotten dream. I'll never mention it again. I'm so very sorry, dear.

humming, and that made me think

never think of our misunderstanding again. I felt I wanted just to know,

ui

get you s

lad. I'm al

e beside her, Antho

... I felt-carried away. I shall remember it always." He si

sat up s

away?" sh

that I can remember that I'm your guest. I don't want to go. Drifting along l

plenty

my clothes, for one thing

reathed ag

ou think. Besides, you don't have to stay

our house, it was as a footman.... And I think I'd better leave it as-well, no more than a friend. That

s closed a

t out of the garden of The Leather Bottel that very first day-my lord. What does it

ged hand Lyveden

see-I love you so." His head bowed, he took hold of her other hand. "My lady,

d Valerie,

ell upon

nto a bower.... And, when I came to know you, the face of the earth was changed. I didn't know there was such a being in all the world. I don't think you ever were born: I think you stepped out of a fairy tale some midsummer eve." He stopped to lay his head reverently upon the blue silk knees. "And you-are-to be-my wife.... In a few short weeks' time you're going

the strong rough pa

, lad," she breathed, "y

Anthony pressed his lip

e rose

king, lad, you mus

n his arms and loo

dn't step out of your fairy tale. You ne

put up h

*

eless, halcyon days, the matchle

were beyond im

me night. I am not certain that these days were not the best of all. Valerie saw him off in the morni

or it was unlike its fellows, and, though I cannot

for its area. London, as a whole, had grown up. Had she grown outward instead, perhaps... He remembered suddenly that she had grown outward as well-out of all conscience, since Pepys had taken pleasure in Lincoln's Inn Fields. With a contented sigh Lyveden reflected that by nine-thirty that evening he would be back a

pace. Savile Row had to be visited, and Pall Mall. Most important of all, a co

. Anthony fell to wondering whether his sweet would not prefer some other u

n between two pedestria

ad collided with a man in a silk hat. Anthony was

an apology, and

s yours," he said l

s Dr.

eled again

tended alarm, and then, giving him a wide berth, lurc

ll, Anthony at first said nothing at all. Then he replied d

, as if he were not sure of his way. Immediately opposite, a large efficien

d at it with

ing in the hope of developments, took up a good position in the gutter and

prolonge

said the new-comer.

her sn

ny. With an effort he s

adily across the str

ger came

e mattocks

the man peere

n'' mattocks, it was. I sent you a card, sir, three

ake the

turned to an assistan

cuse me,

came a

When you was 'ere last time, sir, you dropped your ticket. I kept it by, in case you come in again, th

at the return half of a third-class ticke

, slipping it into his p

ds and waited whils

nto the cab, and told the surly

ther than walked, along the waste

ttocks had made their weight felt after the f

t he looked

lines were gone. Every sacred twig of her had put on a wedding garment. The wild mystery of the place had been exquisitely veiled. The majest

ged himself in a paroxysm of gle

rode to th

d cheerily. "Has Patc

ce snapped

hony stared at t

urned on

cried shar

nt, he stepped hastily on to the wa

, he started to stumble along the

*

nt crunch of wheels upon gravel told that the car was leaving to meet the down train.

a, a little white dog with a bl

his had been expressed. Valerie laid down her work, an

ST VA

im since March. Of course we're frightfully worried. He had the car with him, and we're trying to trace that. Oh, Valerie, father's just come in and said that the car's be

lets on to the parquet, there was a wild scrabble of paws, and Patch

got upon

h?" she said. "He

d the terri

almost beating himsel

rie crossed the hall

hed out int

ood there, plainly

he was flying d

*

he country-side, villages fell asleep. And through them, while they slept, a little white dog went pelting breathlessly under the cold moonlight-now running, now dropping to a fast wa

E