"I've had it out with myself," he said. "Don't let's talk about it any
more."

Again, with a sort of dry anguish, she murmured:

"No, no! Let us go on as we are!"

Feeling that he had borne all he could, Miltoun put his hands on her
shoulders, and said: "That's enough!"

Then, in sudden remorse, he lifted her, and clasped her to him.

But she stood inert in his arms, her eyes closed, not returning his
kisses.

CHAPTER XVII

On the last day before Parliament rose, Lord Valleys, with a light heart,
mounted his horse for a gallop in the Row. Though she was a blood mare
he rode her with a plain snaffle, having the horsemanship of one who has
hunted from the age of seven, and been for twenty years a Colonel of
Yeomanry. Greeting affably everyone he knew, he maintained a frank
demeanour on all subjects, especially of Government policy, secretly
enjoying the surmises and prognostications, so pleasantly wide of the
mark, and the way questions and hints perished before his sphinx-like
candour. He spoke cheerily too of Miltoun, who was 'all right again,'
and 'burning for the fray' when the House met again in the autumn. And
he chaffed Lord Malvezin about his wife. If anything--he said--could
make Bertie take an interest in politics, it would be she. He had two
capital gallops, being well known to the police: The day was bright, and
he was sorry to turn home. Falling in with Harbinger, he asked him to
come back to lunch. There had seemed something different lately, an
almost morose look, about young Harbinger; and his wife's disquieting
words about Barbara came back to Lord Valleys with a shock. He had seen
little of the child lately, and in the general clearing up of this time
of year had forgotten all about the matter.

Agatha, who was still staying at Valleys House with little Ann, waiting
to travel up to Scotland with her mother, was out, and there was no one
at lunch except Lady Valleys and Barbara herself. Conversation flagged;
for the young people were extremely silent, Lady Valleys was considering
the draft of a report which had to be settled before she left, and Lord
Valleys himself was rather carefully watching his daughter. The news
that Lord Miltoun was in the study came as a surprise, and somewhat of a
relief to all. To an exhortation to luring him in to lunch; the servant
replied that Lord Miltoun had lunched, and would wait.

"Does he know there's no one here?"

"Yes, my lady."

La