‘The biggest throw I ever made,’ he muttered to himself, as he passed out at the Balder Hall gate, and emerged in the tempest of the open road. ‘Will she be staunch, I wonder? I believe she will. We’ve been driven together, if ever two lost souls were, and——’ Here he was obliged to give his undivided attention to keeping the right road. Thorsgarth was but three miles away from Balder Hall, even by the roundabout way of the high road. It had been a little after eleven when Otho had turned away from Miss Strangforth’s door; it was nearly two when at last Gilbert let him in at the side door of his own house; and he entered, pallid, gasping, and scarce able to stand, covered all over with snow, and shading his blinded eyes from the light. ‘Good heavens, man! where have you been; and what have you been doing? I was just thinking of rousing the house, and sending relays of men after you, with lanterns.’ ‘I’ve been doing my courting,’ said Otho, pulling off his overcoat, and shaking himself; ‘and since winning the lady, I’ve had to do battle with the storm. Have you got a good fire in there, and something to drink? It’s not weather for a dog to be out in.’ ‘Which lady have you been honouring with your proposals?’ inquired Gilbert drily. ‘Which? Why, there is only one, and that’s Magdalen.’ ‘Oh! It is a pity you did not manage to let other people understand that as clearly as you seem to do yourself.’ ‘Come, don’t be crusty, Gilbert,’ said he, suddenly, and without his usual sullenness. ‘You know I have been wondering for a long time if I should do this; and now that it’s done, by Jove, you don’t seem to think it makes any difference to a fellow! I thought you would shake hands, and wish me joy at any rate.’ Gilbert was a little time silent before he answered. Then he said— ‘I can do that, if you like, and do it honestly. I’ve no objection to shake hands with you, and I would rather you met with joy than sorrow; but’—with a sudden change of tone—‘why did you spoil everything by making that hideous exhibition of yourself to-night? Why could you not tame Magdalen, if she wants taming, without embroiling yourself with half a dozen other people? It is too stupid!’ It was not by reproaches like these that Gilbert had got and maintained his power over Otho, but something to-night seemed to drive the words out of him, whether he wished to utter them or not. Otho did not seem inclined to quarrel. ‘What does it matter?’ he said, tolerantly. ‘Let me alone. It will all blow over.’ ‘It will not blow over!’ said Gilbert, almost passionately. ‘Do you suppose that Roger Camm will put up with such treatment? He was perfectly frantic, and you will have to reckon with him yet——’ ‘I’m quite ready,’ said Otho, scowling suddenly. ‘He had better mind what he is about, in calling me to account, that’s all.’