cleared up! Folks knew now why
Lacey had been so much at Breysgate, Sir John Aspenick learned for whom
Oxley Lodge was wanted, and Cartmell understood why he had been forced
to disburse that much grudged five hundred pounds for early possession.
For, with the announcement, came an inspired leading article, revealing
the main terms of the proposed settlement; a little discretion was
exercised as to the exact figures, but enough was said to show that,
besides the gift of the Oxley Grange estate as it stood, there were
large sums to pass both now and in the future. Let the parties have been
who they might, such a transaction would have commanded the universal
attention of the countryside; when it took place between Lord
Fillingford's heir and the late Mr. Octon's only daughter, people with
memories recalled and retold their stories, and found newcomers ready
indeed to listen. Once again Jenny filled all Catsford and all the
neighborhood with gossip, speculation, and applause.

"I told you you'd have to undo the purse-strings to some style," I said
to Cartmell. "What do you think of this, Mr. Chancellor of the
Exchequer?"

He winked his eye at me solemnly. "It's great," he said. "What a mind
she has! There she'll sit at Breysgate--with the town under one foot,
and Fillingford and Oxley under the other!"

"Hardly that!" I smiled.

"Look what she's giving now! Aye, and, my boy, think of what she's still
got left to give! If human nature goes on being what it's been ever
since I remember, Miss Driver's word will be law in both those
houses--if not now, in a few years at all events. It's a lot of
money--but it's not ill-spent. It makes her the queen of the place,
Austin!" He laughed in enjoyment. "I wish old Nick Driver could see
this! He'd be proud of his daughter."

"However much or little that may be the result, I'm sure it was not her
object."

He looked at me with a good-humored pity; he thought me a fool in
practical matters. "Have that as you like," he said, "but she won't
object to the result--nor waste it, either--I promise you." He chuckled
again. "She's got back at them with a vengeance!"

It was true. Never even in the days before the flight did she make such
a figure. The Aspenicks surrendered at discretion, Fillingford Manor was
in forced alliance, Oxley Lodge was annexed; Hingston did not hold out
long, and Dormer, placated by a big price for his farms, put his pride
and his sulks where he had put the mo