CHAPTER X VANE'S AUNT "I should have been killed to a certainty but for the way in which he got me out of the way," said Gwen to Mrs. Perage, when recounting her adventure, and speaking rather incoherently, for the same had shaken her nerves. Mrs. Perage growled. She was a gaunt, dark-brewed old lady, with a formidable frown and a very determined character. "All's well that ends well," she said in a deep contralto voice, which suggested that of a man. "It might have been worse but for this hero of yours. Did you take the number of the car?" "My goodness!" cried the girl pettishly. "How could I, when I was lying on my back in the ditch under the churchyard hedge? The car passed like a flash." "Daresay," sniffed Mrs. Perage aggressively. "Having done wrong, the chauffeur got out of the way. We'll make inquiries and prosecute. I'd hang every one of those road-hogs if I had my way." "Oh, I don't think it is worth making a fuss about," said Gwen quickly. "I am all right, and his ankle will soon be quite well. I fetched the doctor as soon as I got him to Mrs. Bell's, and there are no bones broken. He will be out and about in a few days." "His--him--he," said Mrs. Perage sharply. "How indefinite you are. What's the name of your Achilles?" "Hench. Mr. Hench. So Mrs. Bell told me, and he's been with her for nearly a whole week." "Hench!" Mrs. Perage rubbed her beaky nose and reflected. "Why, that's the name of Jim's friend he wrote me about. There was a letter of introduction given. Hum! And he's been a week in Cookley without calling. That doesn't look as if he wished to make my acquaintance, Gwen." "Perhaps he's down here on business," suggested the girl, "and did not wish to call on any one until he was free." "Well, if he doesn't call on me, I'll call on him," said the old dame grimly; "if only to thank him for saving your life. Hum! Quite romantic the way in which the man's come into your little world, my dear. Quite romantic, I call it." Then, being very much the woman, in spite of her masculine appearance, Mrs. Perage asked a leading question. "Good-looking?" "Oh!" Gwen clasped her hands. "He's a Greek god." "So was Vulcan. Anything like that heavenly blacksmith?" "No. He's tall and splendidly built, with brown hair and brown eyes; clean-shaven with clearly-cut features." "Hum!" Mrs. Perage brought out the ejaculation with a boom. "You examined him pretty closely, young lady." "Well, I had plenty of time to do so," retorted Miss Evans pertly. "I helped him to hobble to Mrs. Bell's house, and saw him again to thank him after the doctor had examined his poor ankle. I'm sure you will like him." "That has yet to be seen. I don't like many people. However, Jim says that Mr. Hench is a thoroughly good fellow, and----" "I'm sure he is. He saved my life." "Consequently you intend to tumble head over heels in love with him?" Gwen grew red. "I certainly don't. All the same he's very nice, and I'm sorry he's suffering pain."