ds the house. The crowd followed her, solicitous. I stood
helplessly, desperately, where I was.

'I stood an outlaw, a speck on the now empty terrace. Mechanically
I picked up my straw hat, and wheeled the two bent bicycles to the
balustrade. I suppose Mr. Balfour has a charming nature. For he
presently came out again--on purpose, I am sure, to alleviate my misery.
He told me that Lady Rodfitten had suffered no harm. He took me for a
stroll up and down the terrace, talking thoughtfully and enchantingly
about things in general. Then, having done his deed of mercy, this Good
Samaritan went back into the house. My eyes followed him with gratitude;
but I was still bleeding from wounds beyond his skill. I escaped down
into the gardens. I wanted to see no one. Still more did I want to be
seen by no one. I dreaded in every nerve of me my reappearance among
those people. I walked ever faster and faster, to stifle thought; but in
vain. Why hadn't I simply ridden THROUGH Braxton? I was aware of being
now in the park, among great trees and undulations of wild green ground.
But Nature did not achieve the task that Mr. Balfour had attempted; and
my anguish was unassuaged.

'I paused to lean against a tree in the huge avenue that led to the huge
hateful house. I leaned wondering whether the thought of re-entering
that house were the more hateful because I should have to face my
fellow-guests or because I should probably have to face Braxton. A
church bell began ringing somewhere. And anon I was aware of another
sound--a twitter of voices. A consignment of hatted and parasoled ladies
was coming fast adown the avenue. My first impulse was to dodge behind
my tree. But I feared that I had been observed; so that what was left to
me of self-respect compelled me to meet these ladies.

'The Duchess was among them. I had seen her from afar at breakfast,
but not since. She carried a prayer-book, which she waved to me as I
approached. I was a disastrous guest, but still a guest, and nothing
could have been prettier than her smile. "Most of my men this week,"
she said, "are Pagans, and all the others have dispatch-boxes to go
through--except the dear old Duke of Mull, who's a member of the Free
Kirk. You're Pagan, of course?"

'I said--and indeed it was a heart-cry--that I should like very much to
come to church. "If I shan't be in the way," I rather abjectly added.
It didn't strike me that Braxton would try to intercept me. I don't know
why