At any rate he would settle the question. Giving the reins to the coachman, he jumped down from the cart, and, bidding him drive on a few yards, waited by the roadside. Presently Samuel caught sight of him, and stopped as though he meant to turn back. If so, he changed his mind almost instantly and walked forward at a quick pace. “Good day, Mr. Rock,” said Henry: “I wish to have a word with you. I have heard some strange news this morning, which you may be able to explain.” “What news?” asked Samuel, looking at him insolently. “That you were married to Joan Haste yesterday.” “Well, what about that, Sir Henry Graves?” “Nothing in particular, Mr. Rock, except that I do not believe it.” “Don’t you?” answered Samuel with a sneer. “Then perhaps you will throw your eye over this.” And he produced from his pocket a copy of the marriage certificate. Henry read it, and turned very white; then he handed it back without a word. “It is all in order, I think?” said Samuel, still sneering. “Apparently,” Henry answered. “May I ask if—Mrs. Rock—is with you?” “No, she isn’t. Do you think that I am fool enough to bring her here at present, for you to be sneaking about after her? I know what your game was, ’cause she told me all about it. You were going up to town to-day to get hold of her, weren’t you. Well, you’re an hour behind the fair this time. Joan may have been a bit flighty, but she’s a sensible woman at bottom, and she knew better than to trust herself to a scamp without a sixpence, like you, when she might have an honest man and a good home. I told you I meant to marry her, and you see I have kept my word. And now look you here, Sir Henry Graves: just you keep clear of her in future, for if I catch you so much as speaking to her, it will be the worse both for yourself and Joan, not that she cares a rotten herring about you, although she did fool you so prettily.” [Illustration: ] ‘And now ... get out of my way before I forget myself.’ “You need not fear that I shall attempt to disturb your domestic happiness, Mr. Rock. And now for Heaven’s sake get out of my way before I forget myself.” Samuel obeyed, still grinning and sneering with hate and jealousy; and Henry walked on to where the dog-cart was waiting for him. Taking the reins, he turned the horse’s head and drove back to Rosham. “Thomson,” he said to the butler, who came to open the door, “I have changed my mind about going to town to-day; you can unpack my things. Stop a minute, though: I remember I am due at Monk’s Lodge, so you needn’t meddle with the big portmanteau. When does my mother come back?” “To-morrow, her ladyship wrote me this morning, Sir Henry.”