She stood for a moment with her costly dressing-gown held together with

one white hand, her lids half closed.

"He has written to her," she said to herself. "Has he broken with her

for good, or will he try and keep her? I would give something to see

that letter, to know exactly how he stands. And how I stand! I wonder

how he will send it? He is taking it to the stables." She thought a

moment, then she smiled. "Pottinger!" she murmured.

Stafford found Pottinger giving the last loving touches with a silk

handkerchief to Adonis. His coat and waistcoat were off, his shirt open

at the neck and his sleeves turned up. He touched his forehead with a

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respectful and welcoming greeting, and without any surprise; for

Stafford very often paid an early visit to the stable, and had more

than once lent a hand in grooming a favourite horse.

"Looks well, sir, don't he?" said Pottinger, passing a hand over the

glossy black and finishing up with a loving smack. "I'm rather late

this morning, sir." He smiled and looked a little sheepish. "We had a

little bit of jollification in the servants' hall, on our own account,

sir, and were enjoying ourselves like our betters."

"That's right," said Stafford. Something in his voice caused Pottinger

to glance at him with surprise and apprehension; but, of course, he

could not say anything, and he dropped his eyes respectfully after the

one glance at Stafford's haggard face.

"I want you take a letter for me this morning, Pottinger," said

Stafford. "You can take Adonis; it will exercise him, as I shall not

ride him to-day. Here is the letter. Heron Hall lies on the other side

of the river. I want the letter taken there early this morning."

Pottinger touched his forehead. "I know the Hall, sir; I've ridden

over there with messages from the housekeeper and from Mr. Davis."

"There will be no answer," said Stafford. "Simply leave it."

"Yes, sir," said Pottinger. "Would you mind putting it in my

saddle-wallet, sir? I won't touch it till my hands are clean."

Stafford put the letter in the wallet, said a few words to Adonis and

some of the other horses, and then left the stable. He heard voices on

the terrace, and, to avoid meeting anyone until he was compelled, he

went down the slope of the lawn, and, seating himself on a bank, lit a

cigarette.




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