e, nothing?"

"She'll come from Breysgate Priory--and not empty-handed."

"Of course you'd behave kindly to her, but----"

Back to Octon's phrase went Jenny--back to the words in which he had
bequeathed his "legacy" to her. Her face softened. "I shall do the
handsome thing by her," she said in a low voice. "Can't you understand
why I do this?" she asked him. "You were one of the few people who
seemed to understand why I brought her here--to be with me. Can't you
understand this?"

"Perhaps I can--a little. But is it fair to Lord Fillingford?"

"I can't think always and forever of Lord Fillingford," she told him
impatiently. "He isn't all the world to me. I am thinking of
Leonard--this is all I can do for him now. I'm thinking of the
child--and of myself. I can give up for myself, but this is my
compensation. What I could have she is to have--because she loves Amyas,
and I love her--and because I loved her father. That's what I mean. I
daresay you've some very hard names for it. They made me give up Leonard
once--at any rate behave as if I was ashamed of him. Very well. They
must take Leonard's daughter now--or that worse thing you and I know
of."

"I'm still on the worldly plane," Alison said, smiling. "You can, of
course, if you're so minded, abolish all objections except the
sentimental. If it's a hundred thousand for an Institute, what mightn't
it be for a whim, Miss Driver?"

"And what mightn't it be for my dear man who's dead?" said Jenny, very
low.

He got up, went to her, and took her hands. She did not repel him. He
whispered a word or two to her--of comfort or sympathy, as his manner
indicated. Then he looked round at me. "You've had a hand in this
mischief, I suppose, Austin?"

"Oh, we just take our orders in this house," said I.

"Heaven humble your heart!" he said to her, but now the rebuke was
kindly, almost playful.

"The present question is of humbling Lord Fillingford's," retorted
Jenny.

Alison walked back to the window. Jenny gave me a quick nod of
satisfaction; the fight was going well. "Are they still there?" she
asked.

"Oh, dear me, yes! He's sat down by her on the ground--looking up, you
know!"

"Yes, I can imagine, Mr. Alison."

"A fine pair!" He turned round with a sigh. "And very fond of one
another! And yet you think you could--? Well, perhaps you could--who
knows?" He seemed to study her thoughtfully.

"I don't want to, you know--unless I'm driven," said Jenny.

"You