They walked on a few paces, and then Godfrey exclaimed, "There's one thing I do think, Oliver--and I hope you won't be angry with me for saying it! It must be admitted that you've been a great deal at The Chase alone with Laura, and also, unfortunately, that that sort of thing always does make talk in a country town." Tropenell turned on him sternly: "What sort of thing?" he asked. "I swear before God that there has never been anything in my attitude to Laura which should give the slightest rise to comment, or afford the basest scandalmonger excuse for a word." And he believed every word of what he said. "I know that--I know that, my dear fellow!" Godfrey put his hand out, and for a moment it lay heavily on his friend's shoulder. But quickly, silently, Tropenell shook himself free of the other's touch. "If you know that," he was breathing hard now, not trying to disguise his anger, "then why did you allude just now to the fact that I am a good deal in your house? Does that mean you wish that I should give up coming to The Chase?" "No, of course I don't mean that! You're the one real friend I've made--well, since I got to man's estate," said Pavely ruefully. Everything was going wrong. The conversation was taking a turn he had never thought of or conceived as possible. "What I mean is that Laura----" Tropenell stopped him with a passionate gesture: "Cannot we keep Laura's name out of our discussion?" Godfrey stared at him, genuinely astonished. "How can we keep Laura's name out of our discussion? The whole thing centres about Laura! This letter mentions Laura--ay, and I've had another letter, which I hadn't meant to show you, but which on second thoughts I should like you to see." He began fumbling in another pocket. "I don't want to see it!" cried Oliver. "I'd rather not see it!" "But I'd rather you saw it," said Godfrey obstinately. Tropenell read the second anonymous letter through, and then handed it back, without comment. Silently they both turned about, and walked quickly, in almost complete silence, back to Freshley. "We've come home to tea, after all, mother," said Oliver shortly, "we are neither of us in condition for a fifteen-mile walk." Neither man referred again to the matter which when they were together filled both their minds, and on the day of Laura's return to The Chase, Oliver Tropenell went up to town, without having seen her. Four days later his mother received a rather cryptic telegram: "Arriving to-night with a friend." A friend? Some sure, sombre instinct told Mrs. Tropenell that this would be Gillie Baynton. CHAPTER IX "Godfrey can't eat me! Besides, he'll have to see me some time. Not that I want to see anything of the fellow--I always hated him! Still, as things are, it's far better I should take him by surprise, in Laura's house, than go cap in hand, and ask his leave to see my sister."