age your mills?"

"It will, my lord. It renders me quite independent of your stream, of
which the fountains at Luxmore can now have the full monopoly."

It would not have been human nature if a spice of harmless malice--even
triumph--had not sparkled in John's eye, as he said this. He was
walking by the horse's side, as Lord Luxmore had politely requested him.

They went a little way up the hill together, out of sight of Mrs.
Halifax, who was busy putting the two younger boys into the chaise.

"I did not quite understand. Would you do me the favour to repeat your
sentence?"

"Merely, my lord, that your cutting off of the water-course has been to
me one of the greatest advantages I ever had in my life; for which,
whether meant or not, allow me to thank you."

The earl looked full in John's face, without answering; then spurred
his horse violently. The animal started off, full speed.

"The children. Good God--the children!"

Guy was in the ditch-bank, gathering flowers--but Muriel--For the first
time in our lives, we had forgotten Muriel.

She stood in the horse's path--the helpless, blind child. The next
instant she was knocked down.

I never heard a curse on John Halifax's lips but once--that once. Lord
Luxmore heard it too. The image of the frantic father, snatching up
his darling from under the horse's heels, must have haunted the earl's
good memory for many a day.

He dismounted, saying, anxiously, "I hope the little girl is not
injured? It was accident--you see--pure accident."

But John did not hear; he would scarcely have heard heaven's thunder.
He knelt with the child in his arms by a little runnel in the
ditch-bank. When the water touched her she opened her eyes with that
wide, momentary stare so painful to behold.

"My little darling!"

Muriel smiled, and nestled to him. "Indeed, I am not hurt, dear
father."

Lord Luxmore, standing by, seemed much relieved, and again pressed his
apologies.

No answer.

"Go away," sobbed out Guy, shaking both his fists in the nobleman's
face. "Go away--or I'll kill you--wicked man! I would have done it if
you had killed my sister."

Lord Luxmore laughed at the boy's fury--threw him a guinea, which Guy
threw back at him with all his might, and rode placidly away.

"Guy--Guy--" called the faint, soft voice which had more power over him
than any other, except his mother's. "Guy must not be angry. Father,
don't let him be angry."

But the fath