consideration of her faithful and constant care of me.
--Signed, Humphrey Stephen. Witnesses, William Shapcott'--that's my
clerk--'and Alfonso Trudgian.' That's short enough, I hope, and sweet."

Mr. Jose reached out a shaking hand for the document, but Roger was before
him. At one stride he had reached Mr. Trudgian and gripped him by the
collar, while his other hand closed on the paper.

The attorney shrank back, squealing like a rabbit. "Let me go! 'Tis only
a copy. Let me go, I say!"

"You dirty cur!" Roger's broad palm crumpled up the paper, and with a
swift backward movement tossed it at Mrs. Stephen's feet. "Out of the
way, Jose; he asks me to let him go, and I will." He lifted the wretched
man, and, flinging him on the window-seat, pinned him there for a moment
with his knee while he groped for the latch and thrust open the broad
lattice.

A moment later, as she stood and shook, Mrs. Stephen saw her legal adviser
swung up by his collar and the seat of his breeches and hurled, still
squealing, out upon the flagstones of the courtlage; saw him tumble
sprawling, pick himself up, and flee for the gate without even waiting to
pick up his wig or turning to shake his fist. Nay, without one backward
look, but weakly clutching at his coat, which had been split up the back
and dangled in halves from his neck, he broke for the open country and ran.

"Thank you," said she, as Roger swung round upon her in turn. Her lips
were smiling, but she scarcely recognised her own voice. "Am--am I to
follow by the same way?"

Roger did not smile, but took her by the wrist.

"Gently, Mr. Stephen--gently, I implore you!" interposed Mr. Jose.

Roger did not seem to hear, and the woman made no resistance. He led her
through the hall, across the threshold of Steens, and up the courtlage
path. At the gate, as he pushed it wide for her, his grip on her wrist
relaxed, and, releasing her, he stood aside.

She paused for one instant, and gently inclined her head.

"Stepson, you are a very foolish man," said she. "Good-day to you!"

She passed out. Roger closed the gate grimly, slipped forward its bolt,
and walked back to the house.

But the woman without, as he turned his back, stepped aside quickly, found
the wall, and, hidden by it, leaned a hand against the stonework and bowed
her head.

A moment later, and before Roger had reached the front door, her hand
slipped and she fell forward among the nettles in a swoon