gh he has made
mistakes, it was only because his confidence was misled with a highly
finished skill. One wouldn't look for the same ability in a girl
brought up in a primitive western town."

"After all," said Sylvia tranquilly, "she is a girl, and no doubt Edgar
is worth powder and shot from her point of view."

"It doesn't seem to be a commercial one," Ethel retorted. "Stephen had
a very straightforward letter from this storekeeper. But I'm inclined
to think I had better go on with my writing."

Sylvia moved away. She had no reason for being gracious to Ethel, and
she took some pleasure in irritating her.

In a few minutes Bland came in. The hall was large, and Ethel was
hidden from him in the recess. He strode toward Sylvia eagerly, but
she checked him with a gesture.

"You have come back early," she said. "Wasn't the sport good? What
has become of Kettering and the others?"

The man looked a little surprised. This was hardly the greeting he had
expected, after having been promised a quiet half-hour with Sylvia;
but, looking round, he saw the skirt of Ethel's dress and understood.
Had it been George she wished to warn, she would have used different
means; but Bland, she was thankful, was not hypercritical.

"The sport was poor," he told her. "The pheasants aren't very strong
yet, and it was hard to drive them out of the covers. As I'd only a
light water-proof, I got rather wet outside the last wood and I left
the others. Kettering wanted to see the keeper about to-morrow's beat,
but I didn't wait."

"Since you have been in the rain all day, you had better have some
tea," said Sylvia. "They'll bring it here, if you ring."

He followed her to a small table across the hall, and after a tray had
been set before them they sat talking in low voices. Presently Bland
laid his hand on Sylvia's arm.

"You know why I came down," he said. "I must go back to-morrow and I
want the announcement made before I leave."

Sylvia blushed and lowered her eyes.

"Oh, well," she conceded, "you have really been very patient, and
perhaps it would be hardly fair to make you wait any longer."

Bland took her hand and held it fast.

"You are worth waiting for! But there were times when it was very hard
not to rebel. I'd have done so, only I was afraid."

"You did rebel."

"Not to much purpose. Though no one would suspect it from your looks,
you're a very determined person, Sylvia. Now I don't know how to
e