that was to kiss the tears away and bring the smiles back to
May's lips.

"Now we have done it," Fielden said ruefully. "I am a nice fellow to
talk about other men being dishonourable. I ought to be well thrashed
for giving way to temptation like this. Fancy a man in my position
daring to make love to any girl. But you knew what my feelings were."

"I was sure," May whispered.

"But what are we to do? It would be another matter, I suppose, if it
were three months later and the Blenheim colt had won the Derby. Then,
perhaps, Sir George would forgive me and make the best of it for your
sake. As it is, I have only succeeded in complicating matters. You are
resolved, of course, that nothing will induce you to change your mind so
far as Copley is concerned. But will you have strength enough to do it,
May? I don't think you realize the pressure which would be put upon you
when you find that Haredale Park will have to go, when you find yourself
in lodgings----"

"Never," May cried passionately. "I refuse even to discuss it. The idea
is unthinkable."

Fielden pressed the point no longer. He really had not the heart to do
so. Sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof. But it was with mixed
feelings that an hour or so later he walked across the fields to Seton
Manor. Copley was waiting to receive him. The latter was in his hardest
and most businesslike mood. There was something repellent about the
expression of his face. The library reeked strongly of tobacco and
spirits. From the ruddy tinge on Copley's face he had partaken of more
than one brandy and soda already.

Fielden hoped there was nothing in the expression of his face which in
any way betrayed his thoughts. Fancy a man like this married to a girl
like May Haredale! Copley was braggart and bully to his finger-tips--a
man without heart, or conscience, or feeling. Nay, he was worse than
this, as Fielden very well knew. For the moment, it was on the tip of
Harry's tongue to say he had thought the matter over and had decided to
decline Copley's offer. But more prudent thoughts prevailed. It would be
as well to be as near Copley as possible, to be on the spot, to act when
disaster threatened. Besides, Fielden, to some extent, was in league
with Aaron Phillips, and if there was anything in the way of rascality
afoot, it might be possible to detect it. It would be a fine thing to go
to Copley with the evidence of his rascality in plain black and white,
and agree to s