dled his team with a prudence which must have chafed his
infatuation to the bone. Of every week, five and a half days did they
labour and not an hour more. No matter how loudly a chore called for
completion, no matter how blackly wind and weather were threatening the
half-done work, upon Wednesday afternoon and Sunday not an axe was
lifted, not a cord hitched, not a nail driven. It was a wise rule and
fruitful. The Sabbath rest leavened the labour of the week. As for
the midweek breathing space, the men were not monks; however zealous
their studies of the lilies of the field, the provision of meat and
raiment must have some crumbs of consideration...

It was, indeed, these two commodities which had taken Lyveden to Girdle
this January day. The milkman, the baker, the grocer, had all to be
interviewed and paid. A kindly farmer's wife, who baked fresh meat for
him and sent it thrice a week to his cottage in the shape of a cold
pasty, had to be visited and made to accept payment for a slab of sweet
fresh butter he had not asked for. A little linen had to be picked
up....

By half-past three Anthony's errands were run. He had dealt with them
quickly, for there was work waiting at the cottage; a load of fuel had
to be stacked, and Patch had been bogged that morning and was,
consequently, fit neither to be seen nor smelt. Besides, there was a
book about forestry which Winchester had lent him.... Anthony bent his
steps homeward eagerly enough.

As he left the village, a horsewoman overtook him, shot him a sharp
glance, and passed ahead. Her habit was mired, and it was evident that
she had had a fall hunting. That Anthony did not remark this was
because he was regarding her horse. There was nothing unusual about
the animal, but of the two beings it alone touched his attention. If
Valerie was like to be buried, at least she had killed all other women
stone dead.

It was consequently in some annoyance that, upon rounding the second
bend of the infamous Gallowstree Hill, he saw the lady before him with
her mount across the road, placidly regarding a hunting-crop which lay
upon the highway. As he came up--

"Would you be so good?" said the girl.

"With pleasure."

Anthony picked up the crop and offered it. As he did so, the horse
became restive, and there was quite a substantial bickering before his
mistress could accept the whip. Anthony, if he thought about it at
all, attributed the scene to caprice. I