oliaged elm trees. Mr. Quayle glanced at it, and paused with
raised eyebrows.

"I call you to witness that I do not swear, dear Miss St. Quentin,
though men have been known to become blasphemous on slighter provocation
than this," he said. "However, the rather violently-approaching
interruption will be soon over, I hope and believe; since the driving
is that of Richard Calmady of Brockhurst when his temper--like your
own--being somewhat out of sorts, he, as Jehu the son of Nimshi of
old--my father's morning ministrations to the maids again--driveth
furiously."

Then, with an air of humorous resignation, his mouth working a little,
his long neck directed forward as in mildly-surprised inquiry, he stood
watching the approaching mail-phaeton. The wheels of it made a hollow
rumbling, the tramp of the horses was impetuous, the pole-chains
rattled, as it swung out on to the bridge and drew up. The grooms
whipped down and ran round to the horses' heads. And these stood, a
little extended, still and rigid as of bronze, the red of their open
nostrils and the silver mounting of their harness very noticeable. Lady
Calmady called to Mr. Quayle. The young man passed round at the back of
the carriage, and, standing on the far side of the roadway, talked with
her.

Honoria St. Quentin remained sitting on the parapet of the bridge.

A singular disinclination to risk any movement had come upon her. Not
the present situation in relation to Ludovic Quayle, but that other
situation of the but-half-disclosed glory, the new and exquisite
fulness of life oppressed her, penetrating her whole being to the point
of physical weakness. Questioningly, yet with entire unself-consciousness,
she looked up at Richard Calmady. And he, from the exalted height of
the driving-seat, looked down at her. A dark, cloth rug was wrapped
tight round him from the waist downward. It concealed the high
driving-iron against which his feet rested. It concealed the strap
which steadied him in his place. His person appeared finely proportioned.
His head and face were surprisingly handsome seen thus from below--though
it must be conceded the expression of the latter was very far from angelic.

"You were well advised to stay at home, Honoria," he said. There was a
grating tone in his voice.

"The function was even more distinguished for dulness than you
expected?"

"On the contrary, it was not in the least dull. It was actively
objectionable, ingeniously unpleasa