es that they usually set forth; more
convenient for their purpose was a postern in the wall which enclosed
the greater part of Rivenoak; the approach to it was from the back of
the house, across a paddock, and through a birch copse, where stood an
old summer-house, now rarely entered. Constance, with her own key, had
just unlocked the door in the wall; she paused and glanced cloudward.

"I think it'll be a shower," said Lashmar. "Suppose we shelter in the
summer-house."

They did so, and stood talking under the roof of mossy tiles.

"What have you worked at this morning?" asked Constance.

"Nothing particular. I've been thinking."

"I wish you would try to tell me how you worked out your bio-sociology.
You must have had a great deal of trouble to get together your
scientific proofs and illustrations."

"A good deal, of course," answered Dyce modestly. "I had read for
years, all sorts of scientific and historical books."

"I rather wonder you didn't write a book of your own. Evidently you
have all the material for one. Don't you think it might be well?"

"We have spoken of that, you know," was Dyce's careless reply. "I
prefer oral teaching."

"Still, a solid book, such a one as you could easily write, would do
you a great deal of good. Do think about it, will you?"

Her voice had an unusual quality; it was persuasive, and almost gentle.
In speaking, she looked at him with eyes of unfamiliar expressiveness,
and all the lines of her face had softened.

"Of course if you really think--" began Lashmar, affecting to ponder
the matter.

"I should so like you to do it," Constance pursued, still with the
markedly feminine accent, which she certainly did not assume. "Will
you--to please me?"

Her eyes fell before the other's quick, startled look. There was a
silence; rain pattered on the tiles.

"I'll think about it," Dyce replied at length, moving and speaking
uneasily. "It's raining quite hard, you know," he added, moving into
the doorway. "The roads will be no good after this."

"No. We had better go in," said Constance, with sudden return to dry,
curt speech.

It was evident that, in his anomalous situation, Lashmar's method with
women could not have fair play. He was in no small degree beholden to
Constance, and her odd behaviour of late kept him in mind of his
obligation. Doubtless, he thought, she intended that; and his annoyance
at what he considered a lack of generosity outweighed the satisfaction
hi