esolution that the day was to be jolly soon recurred to him, and
he hastily resumed inspection of his fancy. Perhaps they ought to have a
ten-pound note on it, and they had better get back to the Stand! And as
they went the Colonel saw, standing beneath a tree at a little distance,
a young man that he could have sworn was Lennan. Not likely for an
artist chap to be down here! But it WAS undoubtedly young Lennan,
brushed-up, in a top-hat. Fortunately, however, his face was not turned
in their direction. He said nothing to Olive, not wishing--especially
after those unpleasant thoughts--to take responsibility, and he kept her
moving towards the gate, congratulating himself that his eyes had been
so sharp. In the crush there he was separated from her a little, but she
was soon beside him again; and more than ever he congratulated himself
that nothing had occurred to upset her and spoil the day. Her cheeks
were warm enough now, her dark eyes glowing. She was excited no doubt
by thoughts of the race, and of the 'tenner' he was going to put on for
her.

He recounted the matter afterwards to Mrs. Ercott. "That chestnut Tabor
put me on to finished nowhere--couldn't get down the hill--knew it
wouldn't the moment I set eyes on it. But the child enjoyed herself.
Wish you'd been there, my dear!" Of his deeper thoughts and of that
glimpse of young Lennan he did not speak, for on the way home an ugly
suspicion had attacked him. Had the young fellow, after all, seen and
managed to get close to her in the crush at the paddock gateway?

XIV

That letter of hers fanned the flame in Lennan as nothing had yet fanned
it. Earthiness! Was it earthiness to love as he did? If so, then not for
all the world would he be otherwise than earthy. In the shock of reading
it, he crossed his Rubicon, and burned his boats behind him. No more
did the pale ghost, chivalrous devotion, haunt him. He knew now that he
could not stop short. Since she asked him, he must not, of course, try
to see her just yet. But when he did, then he would fight for his life;
the thought that she might be meaning to slip away from him was too
utterly unbearable. But she could not be meaning that! She would never
be so cruel! Ah! she would--she must come to him in the end! The world,
life itself, would be well lost for love of her!

Thus resolved, he was even able to work again; and all that Tuesday
he modelled at a big version of the fantastic, bull-like figure he had
co