to putting him away from
her for ever, she would try once more to find out from her sore and
lonely heart what she really wanted.

CHAPTER VIII

THE CHALLENGE

The morning had been misty, verging on frost, but the sun came out while
Val was jogging towards the Roehampton Gate, whence he would canter on to
the usual tryst. His spirits were rising rapidly. There had been nothing
so very terrible in the morning's proceedings beyond the general disgrace
of violated privacy. 'If we were engaged!' he thought, 'what happens
wouldn't matter.' He felt, indeed, like human society, which kicks and
clamours at the results of matrimony, and hastens to get married. And he
galloped over the winter-dried grass of Richmond Park, fearing to be
late. But again he was alone at the trysting spot, and this second
defection on the part of Holly upset him dreadfully. He could not go
back without seeing her to-day! Emerging from the Park, he proceeded
towards Robin Hill. He could not make up his mind for whom to ask.
Suppose her father were back, or her sister or brother were in! He
decided to gamble, and ask for them all first, so that if he were in luck
and they were not there, it would be quite natural in the end to ask for
Holly; while if any of them were in--an 'excuse for a ride' must be his
saving grace.

"Only Miss Holly is in, sir."

"Oh! thanks. Might I take my horse round to the stables? And would you
say--her cousin, Mr. Val Dartie."

When he returned she was in the hall, very flushed and shy. She led him
to the far end, and they sat down on a wide window-seat.

"I've been awfully anxious," said Val in a low voice. "What's the
matter?"

"Jolly knows about our riding."

"Is he in?"

"No; but I expect he will be soon."

"Then!" cried Val, and diving forward, he seized her hand. She tried to
withdraw it, failed, gave up the attempt, and looked at him wistfully.

"First of all," he said, "I want to tell you something about my family.
My Dad, you know, isn't altogether--I mean, he's left my mother and
they're trying to divorce him; so they've ordered him to come back, you
see. You'll see that in the paper to-morrow."

Her eyes deepened in colour and fearful interest; her hand squeezed his.
But the gambler in Val was roused now, and he hurried on:

"Of course there's nothing very much at present, but there will be, I
expect, before it's over; divorce suits are beastly, you know. I wanted
to tell yo