"My friend and secretary, Roger Wilbraham, tells me that I have no right to stop," Lynborough explained, looking round again, but not standing still. "I have only the right to pass and repass. I'm repassing now. He's a barrister, and he says that's the law. I daresay it is--but I regret that it prevents me from obliging you, Lady Norah." "Well, I'm not going to make a fool of myself by running after you," said Norah crossly. Lynborough walked slowly on; Norah followed; they reached the turn of the path towards the Grange hall door. They reached it--and passed it--both of them. Lynborough turned once more--with a surprised lift of his brows. "At least I can see you safe off the premises!" laughed Norah, and with a quick dart forward she reduced the distance between them to half-a-yard. Lynborough seemed to have no objection; proximity made conversation easier; he moved slowly on. Norah seemed defeated--but suddenly she saw her chance, and hailed it with a cry. The Marchesa's bailiff--John Goodenough--was approaching the path from the house situated at the southwest corner of the meadow. Her cry of his name caught his attention--as well as Lynborough's. The latter walked a little quicker. John Goodenough hurried up. Lynborough walked steadily on. "Stop him, John!" cried Norah, her eyes sparkling with new excitement. "You know her Excellency's orders? This is Lord Lynborough!" "His lordship! Aye, it is. I beg your pardon, my lord, but--I'm very sorry to interfere with your lordship, but----" "You're in my way, Goodenough." For John had got across his path, and barred progress. "Of course I must stand still if you impede my steps, but I do it under protest. I only want to repass." "You can't come this way, my lord. I'm sorry, but it's her Excellency's strict orders. You must go back, my lord." "I am going back--or I was till you stopped me." "Back to where you came from, my lord." "I came from Scarsmoor and I'm going back there, Goodenough." "Where you came from last, my lord." "No, no, Goodenough. At all events, her Excellency has no right to drive me into the sea." Lynborough's tone was plaintively expostulatory. "Then if you won't go back, my lord, here we stay!" said John, bewildered but faithfully obstinate. "Just your tactics!" Lynborough observed to Norah, a keen spectator of the scene. "But I'm not so patient of them from Goodenough." "I don't know that you were very patient with me." "Goodenough, if you use sufficient force I shall, of course, be prevented from continuing on my way. Nothing short of that, however, will stop me. And pray take care that the force is sufficient--neither more nor less than sufficient, Goodenough." "I don't want to use no violence to your lordship. Well now, if I lay my hand on your lordship's shoulder, will that do to satisfy your lordship?" "I don't know until you try it."