e could see a bare little parlour, with
linen presses against the walls. It would not hide a cat.

"Do you search, then!" he cried. "Here, then, and I will watch you! But
you shall pay for any wanton damage, I tell you."

The man shrugged his shoulders.

"What is the use, then--" he began.

"Bah! search, then, as you will. I will pay."

* * * * *

The noise from the hall had ceased altogether as the four men went into
the parlour. It was a plain little room, with an open fireplace and a
great settle beside it. There were hangings here and there. That over
the hearth presented Icarus in the chariot of the sun. It seemed such a
place as that in which two lovers might sit and talk together at
sunset.... In one place hung a dark oil painting.

The old man went across to the window and stared out.

The sun was up by now, far away out of sight; and the whole sunlit
valley lay stretched beneath beyond the slopes that led down to Padley.
The loathing for his work rose up again and choked him--this desperate
bullying of a few women; and all to no purpose. He stared out at the
horses beneath, and at the couple of men gossiping together at their
heads.... He determined to see Mistress Manners again alone presently,
when she should be recovered, and have a word with her in private. She
would forgive him, perhaps, when she saw him ride off empty-handed, as
he most certainly meant to do.

He thought, too, of other things, this old man, as he stood, with his
shoulders squared, resolute in his lack of attention to the mean work
going on behind him.... He wondered whether God were angry or no.
Whether this kind of duty were according to His will. Down there was
Padley, where he had heard mass in the old days; Padley, where the two
priests had been taken a few weeks ago. He wondered--

"If it please your honour we will break in this panel," came the smooth,
sneering voice that he loathed.

He turned sullenly.

They were opposite the old picture. Beneath it there showed a crack in
the wainscoting.... He could scarcely refuse leave. Besides, the
woodwork was flawed in any case--he would pay for a new panel himself.

"There is nothing there!" he said doubtfully.

"Oh, no, sir," said the man with a peculiar look. "It is but to make a
show--"

The old man's brows came down angrily. Then he nodded; and, leaning
against the window, watched them.

* * * * *

One