ead, placed within reach, he would set a
quivering foot upon the bed and lick the caressing hand with a touch
that would not have broken a bubble. Presently, whimpering with
excitement, he would post about the chamber, seeking an object to
present to his lord. Of such, the choice which the room afforded was
straitly limited, and when for the second time he had selected one of
the knobs of a chest of drawers, endeavouring to detach this by dint of
biting it off, the fresh-faced nurse was advised of his intention, and
a log of wood was procured to be kept in a corner. Thereafter twice a
day the billet was brought reverently to the-bedside.

Poor Patch! It was the best his dull wit could devise.

Oh, Patch, could you but see how idle and clumsy is your act, you would
hang your small head. Could you perceive the vanity of repetition,
your bright brown eyes would fill with tears. Could you be told whence
comes the gift which you give Anthony, your little tail would be
clapped between your legs.... Yet have I heard tell of a ram caught in
a thicket by his horns; of altar steps worn thin by the observance of
the same offices; of spikenard that might have been sold and given to
the poor....

Sirs, this poor scrap of a dog errs in good company.

The April days slipped by, smiling, or shrill, or tearful, as the mood
took them.

A letter which Valerie had received from Peter Every, written and
posted at Girdle upon the last day of March, had set her mind at rest
about Anthony's stewardship of Gramarye. Apart from the action of the
Law, that book had been closed as gently and firmly as mortal man could
close it. By the removal of the steward, neither men nor beasts
engaged there had been left one penny the worse. The former, indeed,
were well out of a bad business. Incidentally, they would very soon be
well out of Anthony's way. Never had money been so advantageously
spent. Valerie had written to Every a letter of heartfelt thanks.

By the courtesy of the Bumbles, their chauffeur came to Bell Hammer two
or three times a week. He did not always see his late colleague, but
Alison was no fool, and points were constantly arising upon which
Valerie was glad of his advice. It was he who went through Anthony's
wardrobe with the utmost care, saying which of the garments he had seen
before and which had been acquired since their owner's departure from
Hawthorne. The latter were carefully destroyed. Lyveden's few
pers