he vowed that he
would carry her off before his very eyes. "Let her give the word, lift
an eyebrow, and I take her across the world." And the lad too, bless
him. What did the quill-driver want of them but credit? Damn him, he
hung them up in his house, as tradesmen use the royal arms. He baited
for his deans and chapters with them. He walked far into the night in
a passion of anger. It never once occurred to him that James was a
rival. And there he was right.

He thought that Urquhart had certainly been with Lucy; he knew that he
was in love with her; but oddly enough that stimulated instead of
quelled him. It enhanced her. It made her love worth keeping. He had a
great respect, in his heart of hearts, for Urquhart's validity in a
world of action which certainly comprehended the taking and keeping of
hearts. Now he came to think of it, he must confess that he had never
loved Lucy as he did now until he had observed that so redoubtable a
champion was in the lists against him. Odd thing! He had been jealous
of Francis Lingen, as he now was of Urquhart; but it was the latter
jealousy which had made him desire Lucy. The former had simply
disgusted him, the latter had spurred him to rivalry--and now to main
desire. James was no philosopher; he had an idle mind except in the
conduct of his business. He could not attempt, then, to explain his
state of mind--but he was very much interested. Soon he saw her in the
dusk under the pines: a slim white shape, standing with one hand upon
the trunk of a tree. Her back was towards him; she did not turn.

She supposed that it was Urquhart come back, and was careful not to
seem waiting for him. "How quick you have been!" she said lightly, and
stood where she was. No answer was returned. Then came a shock indeed,
and her head seemed to flood with fear. Two hands from behind her
covered her eyes; her head was drawn gently back, and she was kissed
ardently on the lips. She struggled wildly; she broke away. "Oh!" she
said, half sobbing. "Oh, how cruel you are--how cruel! How could you
dare to do it?" And then, free of the hands, she turned upon
Urquhart--and saw James. "Oh, my love!" she said, and ran to him and
broke into tears.

James had secured his eyeglass, but now let it drop. He allowed her to
cry her fill, and then made the best of a rather bad business. "If
every man who kissed his wife," said he, "was answered like that, lips
would go dry."

She said through her tears, "You s