Part 5 (1/2)

”Thank you. And now may I ask what you want?”

”I came to tell you that I am going to church. I thought you were engaged.”

”So I was; but my visitor is gone.”

”I know; he went out by that window. I saw him going down the avenue.

Who is he?”

”A friend of mine. That is all you need to know. Did you think it was some one who had to do with the anonymous letter?”

”No, no!” Daisy seemed to be thoroughly ashamed of herself. ”But you must admit that the letter was strange.”

”So strange that you had better say nothing about it. Don't mention it to Giles.”

”Why not?”

”Because I will find occasion to tell him myself. I at least will be able to explain without showing jealousy of poor Miss Denham.”

”I won't say anything,” replied Daisy, with a toss of her head, ”but you are all mad about Anne Denham. I don't believe she is a good woman. What is the matter with her now? She seems ill.”

”For Heaven's sake don't ask me any further questions,” said Morley irritably. ”What with your conduct of this morning and other things with which you have no concern I am worried out of my life.”

Daisy took the hint and walked away. When she got outside the library she came to the conclusion that Morley's visitor was a bailiff, and that was why he had been shown out by the window. Decidedly her guardian was in a bad way financially speaking.

”I shall marry Giles and get away from them all,” said the grateful Daisy. ”They may be sold up, and my hundred a year will not keep me.

What a mercy that Giles is so rich and loves me! No, he does not love me,” she said vehemently to herself. ”It is that woman. But he is engaged to me, and I'll marry him if only to spite her.”

CHAPTER IV

THE CHURCHYARD

To Daisy that drive in the motor-car was like an exquisite dream. Her frivolous, shallow soul was awed by the vast white waste gleaming mysteriously in the moonlight as the car sped like a bird along the silent roads. There was not a cloud in a sky that shone like tempered steel; and amidst the frosty glitter of innumerable stars the hard moon looked down on an enchanted world. With Giles' hand on the steering gear and Daisy beside him wrapped in a buffalo rug, the machine flew over the pearly whiteness with the skimming swiftness of the magic horse. For the first time in her life Daisy felt what flying was like, and was content to be silent.

Giles was well pleased that the Great Mother should still her restless tongue for the moment. He was doing his duty and the will of his dead father, but his heart ached when he thought of the woman who should be by his side. Oh that they two could undertake this magical journey together, silent and alone in a silent and lonely world. He made no inquiries for Anne, and Daisy said nothing. Only when the car was humming along the homeward road to land them at the church did she open her mouth. The awe had worn off, and she babbled as of old in the very face of this white splendor.

”Anne's going away,” she said abruptly.

For the life of him Giles could not help starting, but he managed to control his voice and speak carelessly. ”Ah, and how is that?” he asked, busy with the wheel.

”She is going to-morrow. I suppose she is tired of the dull life here.”

”I expect she is,” replied Ware curtly.

”Are you sorry?”

Giles felt that she was pus.h.i.+ng home the point and that it behooved him to be extra careful. ”Yes, I am sorry,” he said frankly. ”Miss Denham is a most interesting woman.”

”Does that mean----”