But I do thank you." She patted the panting head.
"Look. Here's a stone I'll throw for you--down into the brook. I'm
sure it'll be good for you to wash your mouth." She flung the pebble,
and the dog went flying. Valerie turned to Lyveden with a glowing
face. "Don't think I'm fishing for another dead bird, but I wish I
could feel you'd forgiven me as truly as Patch. Oh, Anthony, I just
can't tell you how deadly ashamed I feel, how----"

"My dear girl, you mustn't talk like this. I knew there was some
misunderstanding--I didn't know what--and I----"

"I thought you cared for Anne Alison."

"Oh, Valerie...." The wistful reproach of his tone, the sad-faced
ghost of a protesting smile hovering about his lips, brought tears to
Valerie's eyes. "Well, well.... I'm so glad I'm cleared in your eyes.
I'd 've hated you to go through life thinking that I--was like
that...." Suddenly he caught at her arm and pointed to the ramshackle
bridge. "There's another instance of the rot we're out to stop.
Another winter, and that bridge 'd be in the stream, damming it at the
deepest and narrowest point. Result, the water's diverted and spreads
all over the road, trying to find another way into its channel. No
road can stand that, of course. Gradually----"

"Tell me more of yourself," said Valerie.

Anthony let go her arm and put a hand to his head.

"Myself?" he said slowly. "Well, this is my life. I live in the
cottage, you know--very simply. It was a wonderful stroke of
luck--getting the job. I saw it in the Agony Column."

"Before or after you'd given notice?"

"After. I tell you, I was thankful. And now--I little dreamed what a
wonderful billet it was. Living in these beautiful woods, with nothing
to----"

"Why did you give notice?" said Valerie.

"Oh, I don't know. I think I was unsettled. After all, a footman's
job----"

"Was it because of me?"

There was a long silence. Then--

"Yes," said Anthony. "But that's ancient history," he added quickly.
"It wasn't your fault if I chose to take that line. Besides"--he flung
out demonstrative arms--"see what you've brought me, Valerie. When I
think that less than three months ago I was carrying coals and washing
up glasses and waiting at table----"

"And in love with me," said Valerie.

Lyveden's outstretched arms fell to his side.

The worst had happened. Valerie was under his guard....

A pitiful hunted look came into the steady grey eyes.