Well, that was true enough. Fillingford's son--the accomplice of my evening expedition to Hatcham Ford! There was something to get over, certainly. But there was something to get over in the other plan, too. "Still, I don't mind its seeming--just possible," said Jenny. She looked at me with an air of wondering how I should take what she was going to say. "It might just be made to seem--a danger!" "This is walking on a razor's edge, isn't it?" "Yes--it is rather. Mr. Dormer's got to help a little. I don't like him, Austin." "No more do I--since you mention it. And you'd have no pity for him either?" "I shall get his bit of land, but he won't get all mine," said Jenny, serenely pitiless. "He plays his game--I'll play mine. We neither of us stake our hearts, I think. You can't stake what you've never had--or what you've lost." She stood silent for a minute, looking down to where the smoke of busy Catsford rose in a blue mist between us and the horizon. "He's just ridiculous, but he serves my turn. No need to talk any more about him!" Margaret tumbled herself out of the hammock with a grace which was entirely accidental and narrowly skirted a disaster to propriety. She came across the lawn, yawning and laughing. "I've been asleep, Jenny," she cried, "and having wonderful dreams!" Jenny's face lit up with an extraordinary tenderness. She drew the girl to her and stroked her hair. "Why did you wake up? It's a pity to wake up when the dreams are wonderful." "Oh, but waking up's great fun, too! Everything's great fun at Breysgate." Stroking Margaret's hair, Jenny looked down at me in my wicker arm-chair. "I've been having fun, too--telling Austin secrets!" "Tell me some." "The day after to-morrow--or just about then!" laughed Jenny. The ensuing days were full of triumph for Jenny. Her munificent donation was gratefully and enthusiastically accepted; a new Committee, composed of members of the Corporation, was appointed to take in hand the erection of the Institute immediately; there was no danger of this Committee's adjourning _sine die_! Her holiday and her feast went off in a blaze of success. She received a wonderful ovation from the town; there was no appearance of her being ostracized by the county. She came out to greet her guests, supported by the Aspenicks, by Dormer, even by Lacey; it was significant that the last-named should appear on so public an occasion. His presence compromised the attitude of Fillingford Manor; though its master was not there, though the lady who presided over the house was severely absent, the heir was there--and there, evidently, on terms of friendship and intimacy.