CHAPTER IV

AT CLOSE QUARTERS

When Doris descended to breakfast on the following morning she found an
animated party in the dining-room discussing the best means of spending
the day. Abingdon himself and most of his guests were in favour of
attending an aviation meeting at Wynhampton a few miles away.

Caryl was not present, but as she passed through the hall a little
later, he came in at the front door.

"I was just coming to you," he remarked, pausing to flick the ash from
his cigarette before closing the door. "I have been making arrangements
for you to drive to Wynhampton with me."

Doris made a stiff movement that seemed almost mechanical. But the next
moment she recovered her self-control. Why was she afraid of this man,
she asked herself desperately? No man had ever managed to frighten her
before.

"I think I should prefer to go in the motor," she said, and smiled with
quivering lips. "Get Phil to drive with you. He likes the dog-cart
better than I do."

"I have talked it over with him," Caryl responded gravely. "He agrees
with me that this is the best arrangement."

There was to be no escape then. Once more the stronger will prevailed.
Without another word she turned from him and went upstairs. She might
have defied him, but she knew in her heart that he could compass his
ends in spite of her. And she was afraid.

She had a moment of absolute panic as she mounted into the high cart. He
handed her up, and his grasp, close and firm, seemed to her eloquent of
that deadly resolution with which he mastered her.

For the first half-mile he said nothing whatever, being fully occupied
with the animal he was driving--a skittish young mare impatient of
restraint.

Doris on her side sat in unbroken silence, enduring the strain with a
set face, dreading the moment when he should have leisure to speak.

He was evidently in no hurry to do so. Or was it possible that he found
some difficulty in choosing his words?

At length he turned his head and spoke.

"I secured this interview," he said, "because there is an important
point which I want to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

She nerved herself to meet his look, but her eyes fell before its steady
mastery almost instantly.

"About our wedding," he said in his calm, deliberate voice. "I should
like to have the day fixed."

Her heart gave a great thump of dismay.

"Do you really mean to hunt me down then and--and marry me against my
will?" she