couple of footmen placing it
with the quick deftness of use until it reached the carriage.

As she alighted Mademoiselle Selpdorf recognised the tall figure in the
travel-stained riding cloak.

'Captain Rallywood, where have you come from?' she asked almost
involuntarily.

'From the frontier, Mademoiselle.'

'Will you give me your arm? What has happened? Has Major Counsellor
come back?' she whispered as they went up the steps.

'He is at the Ford. He has met with an accident.'

Valerie said no more, but as she entered the hall she read Rallywood's
face.

'Has his Excellency returned?' she asked of an attendant. 'Then place
refreshments in the small library. Captain Rallywood, I will join you in
a few moments. M. Selpdorf will be home very soon. He is anxious to see
you.'

It was a little necessary make believe before the numerous servants. How
far it deceived them may be faintly guessed when one considers anyone's
secrets in relation to anyone's servants.

'Man designs his own game,' thought Rallywood as he followed the servant
into whose charge he was given, 'or he is forced to stand out and
circumstances play it for him. In the years all is one.'

Whichever way the issue of this night's work turned, Maasau and Valerie
must both pass from his life forever. The one supreme obstacle which
lurks always beside the mercenary's path had arisen to bar his advance
at last.

Valerie opened the door softly. She was trembling and afraid, but she
would not be outdone in generosity by Rallywood. She had determined to
thank him for the words spoken at Kofn Ford, and to show him how
entirely she comprehended their chivalrous intention. But when her eyes
fell upon him all thought of self faded. He was standing midway between
the gleaming wine and glass of the side-table and the flickering glow of
the open stove, upright and stately as he ever appeared to her, but in
his new attitude her sharpened senses perceived a suggestion of
disheartenment and solitude.

Swept away by the feeling of the moment, she crossed the room to his
side and laid her hand upon his arm.

'What is it? Something has happened,' she said.

Rallywood looked down at her. The beautiful eyes like starlit darkness,
her clear-hued loveliness, the soft dusky curls about her brow, her
girlish reserves and petulances, all her sweet unapproachable
personality enhanced to pain the knowledge that he was looking his last
upon them.

'Nothing to distress