was too mighty a giant to kneel at her feet for long. He would
exact payment in full, she was sure, she was sure, for all that he gave
her now.

She was thankful when a ceremonious knock at the door compelled him to
release her. Biddy presented herself very upright, primly correct.

"If ye please, Miss Dinah, Mrs. Everard is awake and will be pleased to
see ye whenever it suits ye to go to her at all."

"Oh, I'll go now," said Dinah with relief. She glanced at Eustace. "You
don't mind? You don't want me?"

"No, I have some business to discuss with Stumpy," he said. "Perhaps I
will join you presently."

He took out a cigarette and lighted it, and Dinah turned; and went away
with the old woman.

"And it's to be hoped he'll do nothing of the kind," remarked Biddy, as
they walked through the long drawing-room. "For the very thought of him
is enough to drive poor Miss Isabel scranny, specially in the evening."

"Is--is Miss Isabel so afraid of him?" asked Dinah under her breath.

Biddy nodded darkly. "She is that, Miss Dinah, and small blame to her."

Dinah pressed suddenly close. "Biddy, why?"

Biddy pursed her lips. "Faith, and it's meself that's afraid, ye'll find
the answer to that only too soon, Miss Dinah dear!" she said solemnly. "I
can't tell ye the straight truth. Ye wouldn't believe me if I did. Ye
must watch for yourself, me jewel. Ye've got a woman's intelligence.
Don't ye be afraid to use it!"

It was the soundest piece of advice that she had ever heard from
Biddy's lips, and Dinah accepted it in silence. She had known for some
time that Biddy had small love for Sir Eustace, but it was evident that
the precise reason for this was not to be conveyed in words. She wished
she could have persuaded her to be more explicit, but something held her
back from attempting to gain the information that Biddy withheld. It was
better--surely it was sometimes better--not to know too much.

They met Scott as they turned out of the drawing-room, and Biddy's grim
old face softened at the sight of him.

He paused: "Hullo! Going to Isabel? Has she had a good rest, Biddy?"

"Glory to goodness, Master Scott, she has!" said Biddy fervently.

"That's all right." Scott prepared to pass on. "Eustace hasn't gone, I
suppose?"

"No, he is in there, waiting for you." Dinah detained him for a moment.
"Scott, he--I think he is going to--to let that man off with a light
sentence."

"What?" said Scott. "Dinah, you witch! How o