And as she went home, a deep and earnest resolve took root within her, that her religion should no longer be a mere respectable cloak, but a deep and living reality within her soul. A day or two after this visit, the Count came over to see his stepmother on business. He appeared at five o'clock. It was a lovely afternoon in June, and Adrienne and her aunt were taking tea on the terrace, outside. The Countess was in one of her brighter moods. She was expecting the quarterly sum of money that Guy brought her from his farm accounts, and money to her represented ease and enjoyment of life. Without it, she was abject and miserable. Adrienne, too, had heard from her uncles that day accepting her decision to prolong her stay away. In fact they had told her that they intended to take a six weeks' cruise to Norway, so could spare her to her aunt for that time. The Countess told Guy this fact with a triumphant air. "I have said again and again to Adrienne that my brothers can get on quite well without her. The longer she stays away, the more they will get accustomed to her absence. And the better it will be for all of us. French air seems to suit her. Madame Pompagny remarked to me how improved she was in looks." "She meant that I was thinner," said Adrienne, laughing. "Ah well, you could do with a little less flesh," said the Countess, who prided herself upon her slimness; "and it is not comme il faut to be thick and stout. We leave that to Madame Bouverie and her kind!" "When are we going to have some more rides together?" asked Guy, his eyes on Adrienne's graceful figure as she poured out tea for her aunt. "To-morrow morning, if you like," Adrienne responded gaily; "but I am quite accustomed now to ride about alone. You have been so much away, and so immersed in your farm!" "Haymaking is a busy time, but it's over now for this year. To-morrow, then, at seven o'clock." "So terribly early," murmured the Countess; "it reminds me of those dreadful hunting mornings in England. I never could bear them. They say over here that we take our pleasures sadly. Anything more spartan than an English sportsman I hope I may never see. And I don't at all approve of your riding about alone, Adrienne. French girls don't do it." "No, but they know that English girls do," responded Adrienne. It was at this juncture that Pierre appeared with a note which he presented to the Count. Adrienne, watching him idly, as he politely asked his stepmother's permission to read it, was startled to see what an effect the contents had upon him. Under the tan of his cheeks a red flush mounted. His features contracted, his brows knit, and his lips compressed like steel. Then he very deliberately and slowly got to his feet. "Pierre, I'll have my mare at once," he said to the old man who stood waiting at the door. "What is it? Business again?" asked the Countess indifferently. He did not reply, but strode to the door.