. Gerald Dormer's
manner was cordial and self-satisfied. We stood in talk a minute or two.
The news of the holiday and of the feast in our park had reached Dormer,
and he laughingly demanded an invitation. "I'm pretty hard up, and
nobody gives me a dinner!" he protested.

"I'll make a note of your hard case and submit it to Miss Driver. But
you're not a Driver employee, you know."

"Oh, but I'm quite ready to be--for a good screw, Mr. Austin."

"Here she comes, by Jove!" said Lacey in a quick startled whisper.

Yes, there she was, within thirty yards of us, coming down the hill from
the Priory straight toward my house. Lacey glanced at the dog-cart,
seeming to meditate flight; then he pulled off the right-hand glove
which he had just put on and buttoned.

"Is that Miss Driver?" whispered Dormer. I nodded assent.

Jenny was in great looks that day, and, it seemed, in fine spirits. Her
head was held high, her step was buoyant, there was a delicate touch of
color in her cheeks as she came up to us. She met the gaze of all our
eyes--for all, I am sure, were on her--with a gay smile and no sign of
embarrassment.

"Why, I'm so glad to see you again," she cried to Lacey as she gave him
her hand. "You can't think how often I've dreamed of our rides since
I've been away!"

"I'm very glad to see you, Miss Driver. May I introduce my friend, Mr.
Dormer--of Hingston?"

She bowed to him very graciously, but turned back directly to Lacey. I
saw Dormer's eyes follow her movements with an admiring curiosity. Small
wonder; she was good to look at, and he had, no doubt, heard much.

"You must come and see me," said Jenny. "Now when shall it be? Lunch
to-morrow? Or tea? Not later than the next day, anyhow!"

At that point she must have seen something in his face. She stopped,
smiled oddly, even broke into a little laugh, and said, almost in a
whisper, "Oh, I forgot, how stupid of me!"

Her tone and air, and the look in her hazel eyes, were nicely compounded
of humility and mockery. Confessing herself unworthy, she asked the man
if he were afraid! Didn't he dare to trust himself--was he so careful of
his reputation?

Lacey had promised me that he would "think over" the question of his
relations toward Breysgate Priory. I suppose that he thought it over
now--under Jenny's humble deriding eyes.

"Lunch to-morrow--I shall be delighted. Thanks awfully," he said.

So ended that case of conscience. Jenny said no more than
"One-