Adrienne took her lace into the garden. The sun was so hot that she looked about for a shady nook, and found it under a chestnut tree just below the terrace. Here on a seat she got out her work-basket, and here it was that an hour later Guy found her. His eyes rested upon her with satisfaction. "You have very quickly fitted yourself into your niche here," he said, as he drew up a lounge chair and seated himself in it. "Well, how do you find your aunt? Win her confidence if you can. I have failed to do so." "She is afraid of you," said Adrienne, regarding him with frank steady eyes; "I wonder why?" His eyes met hers for an instant, with a glint of sternness in them, then they softened and a sparkle of amusement shone in them. "I am always reading between the lines, and discovering more than I am meant to discover," he said; "ma mère does not like her defences to be pierced." "Perhaps you do it triumphantly," said Adrienne; "nobody likes to be triumphed over." "Would you like to come and see your steed?" he asked, waiving the subject. Adrienne rose at once. "I should love to," she said, "but how and when I am to ride is the problem." "In the early morning," he responded; "as early as you like. Six, seven or eight. Will either of those hours suit you?" Adrienne smiled. "Yes. Make it seven. I feel that time will be mine. But will you be able to come with me? I am quite accustomed to ride about alone." "I want to show you our country. I will bring the horses round at seven to-morrow morning." They arrived at the stables; Adrienne was introduced to Sultan, a coal-black horse, with a coat like satin, and a gentle chastened mien. He lifted his head and looked at Adrienne with two rather sad and weary eyes. She caressed his nose, and he lifted his head, and pricked his ears when he felt the touch of her soft fingers. Then Guy called out for Gaston, who was groom as well as house-boy, and a brand-new lady's saddle was produced. Adrienne protested: "You have bought this new for me?" "I saw it in Orleans this morning," said Guy. Then he busied himself with it; and when Sultan was satisfactorily adorned with it, Adrienne was invited to mount. She rode round the yard and out into the paddock, and was delighted with Sultan's smooth, easy paces. "He has been a good horse in his time," said Guy; "you won't be too hard on him. And for gentle exercise you won't beat him." Then, looking at her watch, Adrienne found it was just four. "I must go," she said; "are you coming in for a cup of tea?" He shook his head. "I shall be ready for your aunt in the library at five," he said. "That is our business-room; have you seen it? No? Then come now, I will show it to you. It used to be a hall of justice, and the ceiling is worth looking at."