ct of it
is that a country bumpkin is exactly what I am."

She turned her white shoulder away from him.

"You will find a candle on the hall table," she snapped.

John rose at once to his feet.

"It's your delightful country air, I suppose," he said. "I am sorry if
I betrayed my sleepiness, however. Good night!"

Lady Hilda made no answer. John looked backward from the door. She had
kicked off her slipper and was warming her foot before the fire.

"Good night!" he repeated. "I am going to wake like a giant in the
morning, and pull you just as far as you like up the river!"

He closed the door, lit a candle, and made his way to his room. As soon
as he was there he locked the door and flung the window wide open.
Resting his elbows upon the window-sill, he looked out at the soft,
misty darkness. He had the sensation of having been through some
undignified fight, in which even victory savored of shame. He felt a
quivering consciousness, half indignant, half irritated, of having been
forced into an impossible situation.

Presently he began to undress. He moved about on tiptoe, and found
himself continually listening. He heard Lady Hilda come out from the
billiard room below, heard her strike a match as she lit a candle, heard
her coming up the stairs. He stood quite still. Suddenly he saw the
handle of his door turned softly--once, and then again. He watched it
with fascinated, almost horrified eyes. The door was shaken slightly. A
voice from outside called him.

"Good night!"

He made no reply. The handle ceased to rattle. He heard retreating
footsteps, the opening and closing of Lady Hilda's door.

XXII

John was awakened the next morning by the sound of rain against his
window. He got out of bed and looked upon a scene of desolation. The
clouds hung low, and rain was coming down in level sheets. The lawns and
gardens which yesterday had had the air of waiting for the spring were
to-day a sudden wilderness.

There was a knock at the door, and the butler brought in his tea.

"Lady Hilda sends her compliments, sir," he announced, "and as the
morning is so unfavorable she will not rise until eleven o'clock.
Breakfast will be ready down-stairs at half past nine, or can be served
in your room."

"Thank you, I'll come down," John replied.

He bathed and shaved himself, he even packed his own clothes. Then he
left the room, descending the stairs softly, and glancing fu