She rose deliberately to her feet and shook the few grains of cigarette ash from her dress. The cigarette itself she threw into a laurel bush. "I understand," she remarked, "what you implied when you said that women did not understand business." Her tone was unhurried, her manner expressed no indignation. Yet as she strolled towards the gate, David felt the colour drained from his cheeks, felt the wicker sides of his chair crash in the grip of his fingers. He rose and hurried after her. "Lady Letitia," he began impulsively-- She turned upon him as though surprised. "Pray do not trouble to escort me home," she begged. "It isn't that," he went on, falling into step by her side. "You make me feel like a thief." "Are you not a thief?" she asked. "I have been told that nearly all very rich men are thieves. I begin to understand that it may be so." "It is possible to juggle with money honestly," he assured her. "It is also possible, I suppose," she observed, with faint sarcasm, "to lower the standard of honesty. Thank you," she added, as she passed through the second gate, "you perhaps did not understand me. I should prefer to return alone." "I am going your way," he insisted desperately. "My way?" she repeated. "But there is nowhere to go to, unless you are proposing to honour us with a call at Mandeleys." "I am going in to see old Richard Vont," he said. She laughed in surprised fashion. "What, the old man who sits and curses us! Is he a friend of yours?" "He was on the steamer, coming home," David reminded her. "I told you so before. I take an interest in him." His point now was momentarily gained, and he walked unhindered by her side. The soft twilight had fallen around them, little wreaths of mist were floating across the meadows, the birds were all silent. The pathway led through another narrow grove of trees. As they neared the gate, Letitia hesitated. "I think it is just as near across the meadow," she said. He held open the gate for her. "You had better stay on the path," he advised. "The grass is wet and your shoes are thin." She looked into his face, still hesitating. Then she swiftly dropped her eyes. The man must be mad! Nevertheless, she seemed for a moment to lose her will. The gate had fastened behind them with a sharp click. They were in the grove. The way was very narrow and the fir trees almost black. There was only a glimpse of deep blue sky to be seen ahead and in front. The pigeons rustled their wings, and a great owl lumbered across the way. Something happened to Letitia then which had never happened before. She felt both her hands gripped by a man's, felt herself powerless in his grasp. "Lady Letitia," he exclaimed feverishly, "don't think I'm a fool! I'll not ask for what you haven't got to give--me. You shall have your father's note--you shall have--for him--what will make him free, if you'll only treat me like a human being--if you'll be--kind--a little kinder."