dy. Then--they took him away."

After a long pause, which I had no inclination to break, she went on: "I
daresay you wonder why I came back here?"

"I thought you'd come back. Things never seem irremediable to you; you
never like to let go finally."

"That's true, I suppose. But I've a more special reason than that.
Leonard left me a legacy--that brings me here--but don't let's talk
about that for a minute. Is it true that Bertram Ware talks about
selling Oxley. Mr. Cartmell said something about it in one of his
letters."

"He's understood to be open to a good offer, I fancy."

"Then we'll make him one."

"You're at work already!"

"A pretty place and a nice little estate--just between Fillingford Manor
and Overington!" Was the inherited liking for "driving wedges" still in
force? She had lost Fillingford Manor, but Oxley Lodge would make a
useful wedge. "I wonder if there's any chance of that new man at
Hingston selling! I don't want the house, but those farms round Hilton
Heath would round us off nicely."

"Buy the county and the town! Isn't that what you want?"

"I don't want one single thing, Austin--for myself. But I have a little
plan in my head. Well, I must do something with my life, mustn't I--and
with all this money?"

"Build the Institute!"

"I really think I shall be able to manage that. Mr. Bindlecombe's my
friend still?"

"He has plucked up courage--under the influence of Lady Aspenick."

"Ah, yes," said Jenny, "I must try not to lose Lady Aspenick." She
looked thoughtful. "Yes, I must try." She seemed to anticipate some
difficulty.

Her plan of campaign was indicated, if not revealed. She had come back;
she was going to try to "get back." What had happened was to make a
difference only just where, and in so far as, she herself decided that
it must. About that she had not been explicit, but it was evidently a
great point with her--a thing which profoundly affected her inner life.
But her outer life was not to be affected--her external position was not
in the end to suffer. And this ambition, this plan, was somehow
connected with her "legacy" from Leonard Octon.

Suddenly she spoke again. "When a mask is on, you can't see the face. I
shall wear a mask--don't judge my face by it. I've taken it off for you
to-day. I have given you the means of judging. But I shall wear it day
by day--against everybody; even against you generally, I expect, though
I may sometimes lift a corner up for you."