countenance seemed familiar to his memory. And to his
surprise he saw that the man was young.

The supposed reminiscence did not trouble him: he was too pre-occupied
with thoughts of his own affairs to have leisure for Mr. Pike's. A short
bit of road, and this rude, sheltered part of the way terminated in more
open ground, where three paths diverged: one to the front of Hartledon;
one to some cottages, and on through the wood to the high-road; and one
towards the Rectory and Calne. Rural paths still, all of them; and the
last was provided with a bench or two. Val Elster strolled on almost to
the Rectory, and then turned back: he had no errand at Calne, and the
Rectory he would rather keep out of just now. When he reached the little
bridge Pike was on it alone; the other had disappeared. As before, he
stepped off to make way for Mr. Elster.

"I beg pardon, sir, for addressing you just now as Lord Hartledon."

The salutation took Val by surprise; and though the voice seemed muffled,
as though the man purposely mouthed his words, the accent and language
were superior to anything he might have expected from one of Mr. Pike's
appearance and reputed character.

"No matter," said Val, courteous even to Pike, in his kindly nature. "You
mistook me for my brother. Many do."

"Not I," returned the man, assuming a freedom and a roughness at variance
with his evident intelligence. "I know you for the Honourable Percival
Elster."

"Ah," said Mr. Elster, a slight curiosity stirring his mind, but not
sufficient to induce him to follow it up.

"But I like to do a good turn if I can," pursued Pike; "and I think, sir,
I did one to you in calling you Lord Hartledon."

Val Elster had been passing on. He turned and looked at the man.

"Are you in any little temporary difficulty, might I ask?" continued
Pike. "No offense, sir; princes have been in such before now."

Val Elster was so supremely conscious, especially in that reflective
hour, of being in a "little difficulty" that might prove more than
temporary, that he could only stare at the questioner and wait for more.

"No offence again, if I'm wrong," resumed Pike; "but if that man you saw
here on the bridge is not looking after the Honourable Mr. Elster, I'm a
fool."

"Why do you think this?" inquired Val, too fully aware that the fact was
a likely one to attempt any reproof or disavowal.

"I'll tell you," said Pike; "I've said I don't mind doing a good turn
when I can. Th