for him! In the upshot, Val was less disinclined to credit
Rowsley than half an hour ago.

Lawrence roused himself. "About your sister: I was sorry
afterwards to have stayed so long. She seemed none the worse for
it at the time, but no doubt she ought to keep quiet for a bit.
Will you make my excuses to her?"

"I will with pleasure."

"And will you allow me to tackle Bernard about the agency?"

"To--?"

"If you won't resent my interfering? I can generally knock some
sense into Bernard's head. It's an iniquitous thing that he
should take advantage of your generosity, Val."

Stafford was completely taken by surprise. "I'd rather--it's
most awfully kind of you," he stammered, "but I couldn't trespass
on your kindness--"

"Kindness, nonsense! Bernard's my cousin: if your services are
worth more in the open market than he pays you, it's up to me to
see he doesn't fleece you. Otherwise you might ultimately chuck
up your job, and where should we be then? In the soup: for he'd
never get another man of your class--a gentleman--to put up
with the rough side of his tongue. No: he must be brought to
book: if you'll allow me?"

Val's disposition was to refuse; it was odious to him to accept a
favour from Hyde. But pride is one of the luxuries that poor men
cannot afford. "I should be most grateful. Thank you very much."

"And now go to bed: you're tired and so am I. I've had the devil
of a hard day." He stretched himself, raising his wrists to the
level of his shoulders, luxuriously tense under the closefitting
coat. "I shall hope to see your sister again after the inquest."

"Yes," said Val, hesitating: "are you staying on, then?"

"As you advised."

"You'll be very bored."

"No, I've fallen in love." Val gave a perceptible start. "With
the country," Lawrence explained with a merry laugh. "Rustic
ideals. Don't misjudge me, I beg: I have no designs on Mrs.
Bendish."

"Hyde . . .

"Well, my dear Val?"

"Give me back my parole."

"Not I."

"You're unjust and ungenerous," said Val with repressed passion.
"But I warn you that I shall interfere none the less to protect
others if necessary. Good-night."

Lawrence watched him across the lawn with a bewildered
expression. But he forgot him in a minute--or remembered him
only in the association with Isabel which brought Val into the
radius of his good will.

CHAPTER XII

"Hadow's bringing out a new play," remarked Lawrence, looking up