"What! Is that all you have to say? Do you know, you miserable wretch, that you nearly rode over this lady--yes, rode over her? Answer for it! Confound you----" and he raised his arm. But Stella, all her wits on the _qui vive_, was in time, and her own arms were wound about his, on which the muscles stood thick and prominent--like iron bands. With a gesture he became calm again, and there was a mute prayer for pardon in his eyes as he looked at her. "Do not be afraid," he murmured, between his lips; "I will not hurt him. No, no." Then he pointed to the horse. "Mount, sir, and get out of my sight. Stop!" and the fiery passion broke out again. "No, by Heaven, you shall not, until you have begged the lady's pardon." "No, no!" said Stella. "But I say 'Yes!'" said Lord Leycester, his eyes blazing. "Is every tailor to ride through the Chase and knock down whom he will? Ask for pardon, sir, or----" Jasper stood looking from one to the other. "No, no!" said Stella. "It was all an accident. Please, pray do not say another word. Mr. Adelstone, I beg you will go without another word." Jasper Adelstone hesitated for a moment. "Miss Stella," he said, hoarsely. Alas! it was oil on the smoldering fire. "Miss Stella!" exclaimed Lord Leycester. "Who gave you the right to address this lady by her Christian name, sir?" Jasper bit his lip. "Miss Etheridge, you cannot doubt that I am heartily sorry that this unpleasant contretemps should have been caused by my carelessness. I was riding carelessly----" "Like an idiot!" broke in Lord Leycester. "And did not see you. No harm would have resulted, however, if this man--if Lord Leycester Wyndward had not, with brutal force, thrown me from the saddle. I should have seen you in time, and, as I say, no harm would have been done. All that has occurred is this man--Lord Leycester Wyndward's--fault. Again I beg your pardon." And he bent his head before her. But as he did so a malignant gleam shot out of his eyes in the direction of the tall, stalwart figure and white, passionate face. "No, no, there is no occasion!" said Stella, trembling. "I do not want you to beg my pardon. It was only an accident. You did not expect to see anyone here--I--I--oh, I wish I had not come." Lord Leycester started. "Do not say that," he murmured. Then aloud: "Here is your horse, sir; mount him and go home, and thank your stars the lady has escaped without a broken limb." Jasper stood a moment looking at him, then, with another inclination of the head, he slowly mounted the horse. Lord Leycester, his passion gone, stood calm and motionless for a moment, then raised his hat with an old-world gesture. "Good-day to you, and remember to ride more carefully in future." Jasper Adelstone looked down at him with a malignant smile on his thin lips. "Good-day, my lord. I shall remember. I am not one to forget. No, I am not one to forget," and striking spurs into the horse, he rode off. CHAPTER IX.