Part 25 (2/2)

”Delighted, old chap. But--”

”There's no 'but' in the case at all. To be plain, you must.”

”It isn't to talk any more about--er--what we were on to last night, is it? Because that's settled.”

”Well, it concerns that, for it concerns her, and you've got to hear it.”

”But I don't want to. And I shan't believe it if I do,” was the reply, shortly made.

The two were standing by the cattle-kraal, which contained a troop of horses just driven in from the veldt. In the thick of them, armed with halters and _reims_, two Kaffir servants and a Hottentot were catching out those required. In front of the house Bayfield's spider was being inspanned.

”Now it's of no use turning restive, Percy. You've got to hear what I've got to tell you. It's about--_her_. You can take your choice.

Either you hear it from me--in which case it need go no farther, or-- you'll hear it from anybody and everybody--for then I shall be obliged to make it public.”

”Do you mean to say you'll spread abroad your infernal slanders, Hilary!” The young fellow's face was as white as a sheet, and he could hardly speak for the extent of his agitation.

”Not unless you force me to. Look. There's your gee in the kraal now.

Tell one of them to catch it and come along with me. You'll live to thank me till your dying day.”

The stronger will prevailed--even apart from the fell significance of the alternative held out. By the time the inspanning was complete, and good-byes were in progress, Percival was on the scene with his horse saddled up and ready.

”Aren't you coming in the spider with us, Mr Blachland?” said Lyn, noticing that he, too, was preparing to mount.

”Not the first part of the way,” he answered. ”There's a home matter Percy and I want to talk over, so he's going to ride an hour or two on the road with me. Good-bye again, Earle. Had a ripping good shoot.

Good-bye, Mrs Fenham,” for the latter had now appeared for the first time. She looked quite unruffled, but there was that in her face which told one, at any rate, there, that she was prepared to begin the war.

”Good-bye, Hilary--er--Mr Blachland,” she responded sweetly, contriving that the words and tone should be distinctly audible to Lyn, who, already seated in the spider, could not possibly avoid hearing them.

But had Hermia only known it the shaft had fallen harmless.

”Did you hear that, father?” Lyn began, as they drove off. ”That woman actually called Mr Blachland by his Christian name?”

Bayfield burst out laughing. Then after a precautionary look behind--

”I expect she reckons him her brother-in-law--no, cousin-in-law already,” he said. ”Young West seems to have brought things to a head in that quarter. She and Blachland had a long talk together this morning. I expect they were sort of arranging family matters.”

”Very likely. But I don't think I ever saw any woman I detested so thoroughly and instinctively. Every time I see her I dislike her more.”

”Hallo, little one! You're quite fierce on the subject,” laughed her father. ”Why do you hate her so? Has she been uncivil to my little girlie?”

”No, quite the contrary. But she's utterly false somehow. I wouldn't believe any statement that woman made--even if she were dying. But what a silly boy that young West must be. Why, she's years older than himself!”

Bayfield laughed again, but he more than half thought Lyn's estimate was very likely a true one.

Some little way behind, the two men had pulled their horses into a walk.

”Steer ahead,” said Percival doggedly. ”Let's get it over.”

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