ss himself to Miss Viner, who would know where to find
the necessary things, and would direct one of the servants to bicycle
with them to the lodge.

Darrow, as he hurried off on this errand, had at once perceived the
opportunity it offered of a word with Sophy Viner. What that word was to
be he did not know; but now, if ever, was the moment to make it urgent
and conclusive. It was unlikely that he would again have such a chance
of unobserved talk with her.

He had supposed he should find her with her pupil in the school-room;
but he learned from a servant that Effie had gone to Francheuil with her
step-brother, and that Miss Viner was still in her room. Darrow sent her
word that he was the bearer of a message from the lodge, and a moment
later he heard her coming down the stairs.

XX

For a second, as she approached him, the quick tremor of her glance
showed her all intent on the same thought as himself. He transmitted
his instructions with mechanical precision, and she answered in the same
tone, repeating his words with the intensity of attention of a child not
quite sure of understanding. Then she disappeared up the stairs.

Darrow lingered on in the hall, not knowing if she meant to return, yet
inwardly sure she would. At length he saw her coming down in her hat and
jacket. The rain still streaked the window panes, and, in order to say
something, he said: "You're not going to the lodge yourself?"

"I've sent one of the men ahead with the things; but I thought Mrs.
Leath might need me."

"She didn't ask for you," he returned, wondering how he could detain
her; but she answered decidedly: "I'd better go."

He held open the door, picked up his umbrella and followed her out. As
they went down the steps she glanced back at him. "You've forgotten your
mackintosh."

"I sha'n't need it."

She had no umbrella, and he opened his and held it out to her. She
rejected it with a murmur of thanks and walked on through the thin
drizzle, and he kept the umbrella over his own head, without offering to
shelter her.

Rapidly and in silence they crossed the court and began to walk down
the avenue. They had traversed a third of its length before Darrow
said abruptly: "Wouldn't it have been fairer, when we talked together
yesterday, to tell me what I've just heard from Mrs. Leath?"

"Fairer----?" She stopped short with a startled look.

"If I'd known that your future was already settled I should have spared
you my