Anthony was admitted, announced his desire, and sat down in the dim hall. Presently a brisk familiar step made itself heard--firm little paws meeting the tough linoleum squarely--and Anthony rose to his feet. Out of a passage came Patch readily, the fair-haired girl behind him bidding him go ahead. For a moment he looked about him. Then he saw Lyveden, stiffened and stood stock still. The next second, with his body clapped to the floor, he had darted sharply across and, laying his head sideways, crouched at his idol's feet--an adoring suppliant, craving to be raised. "Why, Patch----" The white scrap quivered and flung up a panting visage. Lyveden stooped and gathered him in his arms. The terrier licked his face frantically. Then he squirmed like a mad thing till he was down, tore to a basket of logs, and of his strength brought a billet gripped in his big mouth and laid it at Anthony's feet. The girl laughed merrily. "What did I tell you?" said Lyveden. "It's just the way of his heart. I must always have a present when I have been away." Lord and squire went for a wonderful walk. The woodland and meadows of Hertfordshire fairly beggared the Parks.... Tea at a tiny inn sunk in a dell through which a sleepy lane trickled between high banks--tea in the pocket garden under sweet-smelling limes, where stocks stood orderly and honeysuckle sprawled over the brick-nogging, brought back old days of happy fellowship, just to outshine their memory. From the cool of the house came on a sudden the click of metal and the swift whirr of wheels. Somewhere a clock was in labour--an old, old timepiece, to whom the telling of the hours was a grave matter. A moment later a thin old voice piped out the birth of a new period. Five o'clock. Peacefully Lyveden expelled a cloud of smoke. He need not be moving for another quarter of an hour. Upon the warm red bricks at his feet Patch lay dozing after his dish of weak tea. "Could you give it me in the garden?" The fresh clear voice floated out of the doorway just in front of my lady herself. Arrived there, she stood for a moment looking pleasedly round. It is doubtful whether the old woodwork had ever before framed such a picture.