led
fragments. She put the copied note in an emblazoned envelope, and
directed it to Edgar Caswall at Castra Regis. This she sent off by one
of her grooms. The letter ran:

"DEAR MR. CASWALL,

"I want to have a chat with you on a subject in which I believe you
are interested. Will you kindly call for me one day after lunch--say
at three or four o'clock, and we can walk a little way together. Only
as far as Mercy Farm, where I want to see Lilla and Mimi Watford. We
can take a cup of tea at the Farm. Do not bring your African servant
with you, as I am afraid his face frightens the girls. After all, he
is not pretty, is he? I have an idea you will be pleased with your
visit this time.

"Yours sincerely,

"ARABELLA MARCH."

At half-past three next day, Edgar Caswall called at Diana's Grove. Lady
Arabella met him on the roadway outside the gate. She wished to take the
servants into her confidence as little as possible. She turned when she
saw him coming, and walked beside him towards Mercy Farm, keeping step
with him as they walked. When they got near Mercy, she turned and looked
around her, expecting to see Oolanga or some sign of him. He was,
however, not visible. He had received from his master peremptory orders
to keep out of sight--an order for which the African scored a new offence
up against her. They found Lilla and Mimi at home and seemingly glad to
see them, though both the girls were surprised at the visit coming so
soon after the other.

The proceedings were a repetition of the battle of souls of the former
visit. On this occasion, however, Edgar Caswall had only the presence of
Lady Arabella to support him--Oolanga being absent; but Mimi lacked the
support of Adam Salton, which had been of such effective service before.
This time the struggle for supremacy of will was longer and more
determined. Caswall felt that if he could not achieve supremacy he had
better give up the idea, so all his pride was enlisted against Mimi. When
they had been waiting for the door to be opened, Lady Arabella, believing
in a sudden attack, had said to him in a low voice, which somehow carried
conviction:

"This time you should win. Mimi is, after all, only a woman. Show her
no mercy. That is weakness. Fight her, beat her, trample on her--kill
her if need be. She stands in your way, and I hate her. Never take your
eyes off her. Never mind Lilla--she is afraid of you.