And one day when Hamil was out for the third or fourth time, walking about the drives and lawns in the sunshine, and Malcourt was not in sight, Portlaw called for his riding-breeches and boots. He had not been on a horse in years and it seemed as though only faith and a shoe-horn could get him into his riding-breeches; but with the aid of Heaven and a powerful valet he stood before his mirror arrayed at last; and presently went out across the lawn and through the grove to Malcourt's house. Young Mrs. Malcourt in pink gingham apron and sun-bonnet was digging with a trowel in her garden when he appeared upon the landscape. "I don't want you to tell Louis," he cautioned her with a very knowing and subtle smile, "but I'm just going to ride over to Pride's this morning and settle this lawsuit matter, and surprise him." Shiela had straightened up, trowel in her gloved hand, and now stood looking at him in amused surprise. "I didn't know you rode," she said. "I should think it would be very good for you." "Well," he admitted, turning red, "I suppose I ought to ride now and then. Louis has been at me rather viciously. But you won't tell him, will you?" "No," said Shiela. "Because, you see, he doesn't think me capable of settling this thing; and so I'm just going to gallop over and have a little friendly chat with Mrs. Ascott--" "Friendly?" very gravely. "Yes," he said, alarmed; "why not?" "Do you think Mrs. Ascott will receive you?" "Well--now--Louis said something of that sort. And then he added that it didn't matter--but he didn't explain what I was to do when she refused to see me.... Ah--could--would you mind telling me what to do in that case, Mrs. Malcourt?" "What _is_ there to do, Mr. Portlaw, if a woman refuses to receive you?" "Why--_I_ don't know," he admitted vacantly. "What would _you_ do?" Young Mrs. Malcourt, frankly amused, shook her head: "If Mrs. Ascott won't see you, she _won't_! You don't intend to carry Pride's Fall by assault, do you?" "But Louis said--" "Mr. Malcourt knows quite well that Mrs. Ascott won't see you." "W-why?" "Ask yourself. Besides, her lawyers have forbidden her." But Portlaw's simple faith in Malcourt never wavered; he stood his ground and quoted him naively, adding: "You see Louis must have meant _something_. Couldn't you tell me what he meant? I'll promise to do it." "I suppose," she answered, laughing, "that he meant me to write a note to Alida Ascott, making a personal appeal for your reception. He spoke of it; but, Mr. Portlaw, I am scarcely on such a footing with her."