HAPTER IX

A SKIRMISH WITH DEATH

It was a soft, misty day when Trenby called to drive Nan over to the
Trevithick Kennels--one of those veiled mornings which break about noon
into a glory of blue sky and golden sunlight.

As she stepped into the waiting car, Roger stopped her abruptly.

"Go back and put on something thicker," he commanded. "It'll be chilly
driving in this mist."

"But it's going to be hot later on," protested Nan.

"Yes, only it happens to be now that we're driving--and it will be cool
again, in the evening when I bring you back."

Nan laughed.

"Nonsense!" she said and put her foot on the step of the car. Trenby,
standing by to help her in, closed his hand firmly round her arm and
held her back. His hawk's eyes flashed a little.

"I shan't take you unless you do as I say," he observed.

She stared at him in astonishment. Then she turned away as though to
re-enter the house.

"Oh, very well," she replied airily.

Roger bit his lip, then followed her rapidly. He did not in the least
like yielding his point.

"Come back, then--and catch a cold if you like!" he said ungraciously.

Nan paused and looked up at him.

"Do you think I should catch cold?"

"It's ten to one you would."

"Then I'll do as I'm bid and get an extra coat."

She went into the house, leaving Trenby rather taken aback by her
sudden submission. But it pleased him, nevertheless. He liked a woman
to be malleable. It seemed, to him a truly womanly quality--certainly
a wifely one! Moreover, almost any man experiences a pleasant feeling
of complacency when he thinks he has dominated a woman, even over so
small a matter as to whether she shall wear an extra coat or
not--although he generally fails to guess the origin of that attractive
surrender and comfortably regards it as a tribute to his strong,
masculine will-power. Few women are foolish enough to undeceive him.

"Will I do now?" asked Nan, reappearing and stepping lightly into the
car.

Roger smiled approvingly and proceeded to tuck the rugs well round her.
Then he started the engine and soon they were spinning down the drive
which ran to the left of Mallow Court gardens towards the village.
They flashed through St. Wennys and turned inland along the great white
road that swept away in the direction of Trenby Hall, ten miles
distant. The kennels themselves lay a further four miles beyond the
Hall.

"Oh, how gorgeous it is!" exclaimed Nan, as their ro