all forward almost upon her knees and sobbed
unrestrainedly.

Rodman touched her shoulder and shook her, but not roughly.

'Do not be such an eternal fool!' he grumbled. 'Do you know where Adela
is or not?'

'No, I don't,' came the smothered reply. Then, raising her head, 'Why do
you think so much about Adela?'

He leaned against the dressing-table and laughed mockingly.

'That's the matter, eh? You think I'm after her! Don't be such a goose.'

'I'd rather you call me a goose than a fool, Willis.'

'Why, there's not much difference. Now if you'll sit up and behave
sensibly, I'll tell you why I want her.'

'Really? Will you give me a kiss first?'

'Poor blubbery princess! Pah! your lips are like a baby's. Now just
listen, and mind you hold your tongue about what I say. You know there
used to be something between Adela and Eldon. I've a notion it went
farther than we know of. Well, I don't see why we shouldn't get her to
talk him over into letting you keep your money, or a good part of it. So
you see it's you I'm thinking about after all, little stupid.'

'Oh, you really mean that! Kiss me again--look, I've wiped my lips, You
really think you can do that, Willis?'

'No, I don't think I can, but it's worth having a try. Eldon has a soft
side, I know. The thing is to find her soft side. I'm going to have
a try to talk her over. Now, where is she likely to be?--out in the
garden?'

'Perhaps she's at her mother's.'

'Confound it! Well, I'll go and look about; I can't lose time.'

'You'll never get her to do anything for _me_, Willis.'

'Very likely not. But the things that you succeed in are always the most
unlikely, as you'd understand if you'd lived my life.'

'At all events, I shan't have to give up my dresses?'

'Hang your dresses--on the wardrobe pegs!'

He went downstairs again and out into the garden, thence to the entrance
gate. Adela had passed it but a few minutes before, and he saw her a
little distance off. She was going in the direction away from Wanley,
seemingly on a mere walk. He decided to follow her and only join her
when she had gone some way. She walked with her head bent, walked slowly
and with no looking about her. Presently it was plain that she meant to
enter the wood. This was opportune. But he lost sight of her as soon as
she passed among the trees. He quickened his pace; saw her turning off
the main path among the copses. In his pursuit he got astray; he must
have missed her tr