the coach lamp. "It's not a message,
Richard. I--I did not know that you were coming to Lauderdale to-night.
Had I known it, I--Give my love, my dear love, to Cousin Margaret. I
would have come to Three Oaks, only--"

"You are going home to-morrow?"

"Yes. Fauquier wishes to get back to Albemarle--"

"Will you start from Lauderdale?"

"No, from Silver Hill. He will come by for me. But had I known," said
Judith clearly, "had I known that you would ride to Lauderdale
to-night--"

"You would dutifully have stayed to see a cousin," thought Cleave in
savage pain. He spoke quietly, in the controlled but vibrant voice he
had used on the hilltop. "I am sorry that I will not see you to-night. I
will ride on, however, and talk to Fauquier. You will give my love, will
you not, to all my cousins at Greenwood? I do not forget how good all
were to me last summer!--Good-bye, Judith."

She gave him her hand. It trembled a little in her glove. "Come again to
Greenwood! Winter or summer, it will be glad to see you!--Good-bye,
Richard."

Fur cap, cloak, beautiful face, drew back. "Go on, Ephraim!" said the
mistress of Silver Hill.

The slow grey horses put themselves into motion, the coach passed on.
Maury Stafford waited until Cleave had remounted. "It has been an
exciting day!" he said. "I think that we are at the parting of the
ways."

"I think so. You will be at Silver Hill throughout the week?"

"No, I think that I, too, will ride toward Albemarle to-morrow. It is
worth something to be with Fauquier Cary a little longer."

"That is quite true," said Cleave slowly. "I do not ride to Albemarle
to-morrow, and so I will pursue my road to Lauderdale and make the most
of him to-night!" He turned his horse, lifted his hat. Stafford did
likewise. They parted, and Cleave presently heard the rapid hoofbeat
overtake the Silver Hill coach and at once change to a slower rhythm.
"Now _he_ is speaking with her through the window!" The sound of wheel
and hoof died away. Cleave shook Dundee's reins and went on toward
Lauderdale. _Judith Cary--Judith Cary--There are other things in life
than love--other things than love--other things than love.... Judith
Cary--Judith Cary...._

At Three Oaks Margaret Cleave rested upon her couch by the fire. Miriam
was curled on the rug with a book, an apple, and Tabitha the cat. Will
mended a skate-strap and discoursed of "Old Jack." "It's a fact, ma'am!
Wilson worked the problem, gave the solution, a