I'm much obliged to you for
this--information."

"I thought there would be--well, just no harm in mentioning it to you,"
he said. "Of course it's probably all right really. And if everything is
settled, and announced, and all that, to-morrow--and--" He broke off,
not adding in words what there was no need to add--"Octon gone
to-morrow!"

But to-day was not to-morrow. Lady Sarah was at work, and Fillingford
much interested in Mr. Powers! Worried, upset, and very much interested
in Powers!

Lacey gathered his reins and prepared to be off. "Sorry if I've meddled
in what's not my business," he said. "But I'm ready to take the
responsibility." That was permission to me to use his information, and
to vouch his authority to Jenny. He nodded to me. "See you to-morrow,
perhaps, and we'll drink the health of the engaged couple!" He smiled,
but he looked puzzled and not very happy, rather as though he were
hoping for the best, and staving off anticipation of some hitch or
misfortune.

As soon as he was gone, I went up to the Priory. My task was not an easy
one, but I had an overwhelming feeling--a feeling which refused all
counter-argument--that it was necessary. There was still this one
evening--an opportunity for a last bit of recklessness, and Heaven alone
knew how great a temptation.

Jenny received me in her little upstairs sitting-room, next to the room
where she slept. She wore an indoors gown and, in answer to my formal
inquiry, told me that she had a cold and was feeling rather "seedy"--not
a common admission for her to make. Then I went to work, stumbling at my
awkward story--so full of implied accusation against her, if it were not
utterly unmeaning--under the steady thoughtful gaze of her eyes. She
heard me to the end in silence.

"If that rascal is trying to make mischief, if he has trumped up some
story--" I tried so to put it that she could feel entitled to be on her
guard without making any admissions.

She made none, and offered no direct comment on the story. She took up
an envelope from the writing-table by her.

"This is my formal leave to Lord Fillingford to announce our engagement.
I was going to post it to-night. I'll send it now by a groom. Please
ring the bell for me, Austin."

Loft appeared. She gave him the letter and ordered that a groom should
take it to Fillingford Manor on horseback. Loft glanced at the clock.

"The men will just be at their tea, miss," he said. It was now about
half-pa