e the husband of her daughter; and was
as certain of accomplishing her end as if she had foreseen the future.
Lord Hartledon himself afterwards, in his bitter repentance, said, over
and over again, that circumstances were against him; and they certainly
were so, as you will find.

Lord Hartledon thought he was making headway against it now, in sending
for his old friend, and resolving to be guided by his advice.

"I will take an opportunity of speaking to Maude, Carr," he resumed. "I
would rather not do it, of course; but I see there's no help for it."

"Make the opportunity," said Mr. Carr, with emphasis. "Don't delay a day;
I shall expect you to write me a letter to-morrow saying you've done it."

"But you won't leave to-day," said Hartledon, entreatingly, feeling an
instant prevision that with the departure of Thomas Carr all his courage
would ignominiously desert him.

"I must go. You know I told you last night that my stay could only be
four-and-twenty hours. You can accomplish it whilst I am here, if you
like, and get it over; the longer a nauseous medicine is held to the lips
the more difficult it is to swallow it. You say you are going to ride
with Lady Maude presently; let that be your opportunity."

And get it over! Words that sounded as emancipation in Val's ear. But
somehow he did not accomplish it in that ride. Excuses were on his lips
five hundred times, but his hesitating lips never formed them. He really
was on the point of speaking; at least he said so to himself; when Mr.
Hillary overtook them on horseback, and rode with them some distance.
After that, Maude put her horse to a canter, and so they reached home.

"Well?" said Mr. Carr.

"Not yet," answered Hartledon; "there was no opportunity."

"My suggestion was to make your opportunity."

"And so I will. I'll speak to her either to-night or to-morrow. She chose
to ride fast to-day; and Hillary joined us part of the way. Don't look as
if you doubted me, Carr: I shall be sure to speak."

"Will he?" thought Thomas Carr, as he took his departure by the evening
train, having promised to run down the following Saturday for a few
hours. "It is an even bet, I think. Poor Val!"

Poor Val indeed! Vacillating, attractive, handsome Val! shrinking,
sensitive Val! The nauseous medicine was never taken. And when the
Ashtons returned to the Rectory on the Friday night he had not spoken.

And the very day of their return a rumour reached his ear that Mrs.