"That too, would be regrettable, and would pain me. But we should have to say good-bye sooner or later." "No, Hilary. You never intended to say anything of the sort. You can't fool me, you see." "What on earth are you talking about?" Again the jeering laugh rang out. "What am I talking about?" she echoed, quite undaunted by the curt, stern tones. "You know perfectly well. You are over head and ears in love with her." "That's not true." "Isn't it? It is though," she answered, her eyes fixed full upon his and rippling into mischievous laughter. "Why, you have grown quite pale at the bare mention of it! Shall I say it again? You are over head and ears in love with her. And--I wonder if she is with you?" "Oh, hold your scandalous tongue, woman," he rejoined wearily, knowing better than to delight her by exhibiting what must necessarily be impotent anger. "Really, you are rendering yourself absolutely and uncompromisingly loathsome. Again I say you must give up this scheme. I will prevent it at any cost." "Well, you know what the cost is--and if you don't, it isn't for want of warning. Keep quiet and so will I. Interfere with my plans and I'll wreck all yours. Give me away and I'll give you away, and then we'll see which comes out best. Now we are nearly back at the house again, so you'd better be civil, or, what is more important still, look it." CHAPTER NINE. "WHAT A MAN SOWETH." "Percy, I want you to ride part of the way back with me." "Delighted, old chap. But--" "There's no `but' in the case at all. To be plain, you must." "It isn't to talk any more about--er--what we were on to last night, is it? Because that's settled." "Well, it concerns that, for it concerns her, and you've got to hear it." "But I don't want to. And I shan't believe it if I do," was the reply, shortly made. The two were standing by the cattle-kraal, which contained a troop of horses just driven in from the veldt. In the thick of them, armed with halters and _reims_, two Kaffir servants and a Hottentot were catching out those required. In front of the house Bayfield's spider was being inspanned. "Now it's of no use turning restive, Percy. You've got to hear what I've got to tell you. It's about--_her_. You can take your choice. Either you hear it from me--in which case it need go no farther, or-- you'll hear it from anybody and everybody--for then I shall be obliged to make it public." "Do you mean to say you'll spread abroad your infernal slanders, Hilary!" The young fellow's face was as white as a sheet, and he could hardly speak for the extent of his agitation. "Not unless you force me to. Look. There's your gee in the kraal now. Tell one of them to catch it and come along with me. You'll live to thank me till your dying day."