, but it would be better
for him in the end.

In the meanwhile, the car sped on up the valley until it reached an
ancient house built on to a great square tower, where Bland was
welcomed by a lady of high importance in the district. Afterward he
was familiarly greeted by several of her guests, which Sylvia, who had
strong ambitions, duly noticed; these people occupied a different
station from the one in which she had hitherto moved. When Bland was
called away from her, she was shown to a place at some distance from
Mrs. Kettering's party, and she sat down and looked about with
interest. From the smooth lawn and still glowing borders before the
old gray house, a meadow ran down to the river that wandered, gleaming,
through the valley, and beyond it the brown moors cut against the clear
blue sky. In the meadow, a large, oval space was lined with groups of
smartly-dressed people, and in its midst rose trim pavilions outside
which grooms stood holding beautiful glossy horses. Everything was
prettily arranged; the scene, with its air of gayety, appealed to
Sylvia, and she enjoyed it keenly, though she was now and then
conscious of her somber attire.

Then the entertainment began, and she admitted that Bland,
finely-mounted, was admirable. He took his part in several
competitions, and through them all displayed a genial good-humor and
easy physical grace. He had for the most part younger men as
antagonists, but Sylvia thought that none of them could compare with
him in manner or bearing.

After a while Sylvia noticed with a start of surprise and annoyance
that Herbert Lansing was strolling toward her. He took an unoccupied
chair at her side.

"What brought you here?" she asked.

"That," he said, "is easily explained. I got a kind of circular of
invitation, and as I've had dealings with one or two of these people, I
thought it advisable to make an appearance and pay my half-guinea.
Then there's a man I want a talk with, and I find that the atmosphere
of an office has often a deterrent effect on those unused to it. But I
didn't expect to find you here."

"Susan and some of the others have come; I've no doubt you'll meet her."

The explanation appeared adequate on the face of it, but a moment later
Herbert glanced at Bland, who was dexterously controlling his restive
horse.

"The man looks well in the saddle, doesn't he?" he said.

"Yes," assented Sylvia in an indifferent tone, though she was slightly
dist