CHAPTER XXV

t—— Hewascoming.ValancyheardLadyJaneGreyfarbackinthewoods.Herbreathcamealittlemorequickly.Nearer—andnearer—shecouldseeLadyJanenow—bumpingdownthelane—nearer—nearer—hewasthere—hehadsprungfromthecarandwasleaningoverthegate,lookingather. “Goinghome,MissStirling?” “Idon’tknow—yet,”saidValancyslowly.Hermindwasmadeup,withnoshadowofturning,butthemomentwasverytremendous. “IthoughtI’drundownandaskiftherewasanythingIcoulddoforyou,”saidBarney. Valancytookitwithacanter. “Yes,thereissomethingyoucandoforme,”shesaid,evenlyanddistinctly.“Willyoumarryme?” ForamomentBarneywassilent.Therewasnoparticularexpressiononhisface.Thenhegaveanoddlaugh. “Come,now!Iknewluckwasjustwaitingaroundthecornerforme.Allthesignshavebeenpointingthatwaytoday.” “Wait.”Valancyliftedherhand.“I’minearnest—butIwanttogetmybreathafterthatquestion.Ofcourse,withmybringingup,Irealiseperfectlywellthatthisisoneofthethings‘aladyshouldnotdo.’” “Butwhy—why?” “Fortworeasons.”Valancywasstillalittlebreathless,butshelookedBarneystraightintheeyes,whileallthedeadStirlingsrevolvedrapidlyintheirgravesandthelivingonesdidnothingbecausetheydidnotknowthatValancywasatthatmomentproposinglawfulmarriagetothenotoriousBarneySnaith.“Thefirstreasonis,I—I”—Valancytriedtosay“Iloveyou”butcouldnot.Shehadtotakerefugeinapretendedflippancy.“I’mcrazyaboutyou.Thesecondis—this.” ShehandedhimDr.Trent’sletter. Barneyopeneditwiththeairofamanthankfultofindsomesafe,sanethingtodo.Ashereadithisfacechanged.Heunderstood—moreperhapsthanValancywantedhimto. “Areyousu