e the greatest inconvenience and
disappointment; but for that I cannot hold myself responsible, though it
will be most painful and embarrassing to me after the kind appreciation I
have received. Still I must withdraw it"--

"Withdraw what offer?"

"Why the offer I was explaining to you just now, when you ordered the
maids out of the room. You really cannot deny that you heard what I said,
Damaris, because you mentioned the carriage horses yourself."

Theresa sipped some water. She was recovering if not her temper, yet her
grasp on the main issue. She wanted, so desperately, to achieve her
purpose and, incidentally, to continue to play, both for her own benefit
and that of the parish, her self-elected role of Lady Bountiful, of
"official representative of The Hard"--as Dr. Horniblow by a quite
innocent if ill-timed flourish of speech had unfortunately put it.

"The conveyances in the village are insufficient to take the whole party
to the station," she continued. "An extra brake can be had at the Stag's
Head in Mary church; but a pair of horses must be sent in to-morrow
afternoon to bring it over here. I saw"--she hesitated a moment--"I
really could see no objection to Patch taking our horses in to fetch the
brake, and driving a contingent to the station in it next morning."

"And meeting the train at night, I suppose?" Damaris said calmly.

"Of course," Theresa answered, thus unconsciously declaring herself a
rank outsider, and rushing blindly upon her fate.

For what thoroughbred member of the equestrian order does not know that
next--and even that not always--to the ladies of his family and,
possibly, the key of his cellar, an Englishman's stable is sacrosanct?
Dispose of anything he owns rather than his horses. To attempt touching
them is, indeed, to stretch out your hand against the Ark of the Covenant
and risk prompt withering of that impious limb. Yet poor Theresa
blundered on.

"I told the vicar that, Sir Charles being from home, I felt I might make
the offer myself, seeing how much it would simplify the arrangements and
how very little work Patch has when you and I are alone here. It is a
pity there is not time to obtain Sir Charles's sanction. That would be
more proper, of course, more satisfactory. But under the circumstances it
need not, I think, be regarded as an insuperable objection. I told the
Miss Minetts and the vicar"--

Here Miss Bilson blushed, applying fork and spoon, in coy confusion, to