Anthony had been speaking in an authoritative tone, as if his decision quite set the matter at rest, and opposition irritated him as usual. "I simply tell you what will happen if you come where you're not wanted," he said, raising his voice. "And as to the chapel, we'll take care that is never built. You may call it a threat if you please, but it's one that will find itself a fact." "Mr Miles, the word of God has borne down fiercer things than you are like to hold over me, and it will do so yet again. I am sorry to go against you, but I must either do that or against the inward conviction." "Cant," muttered Anthony wrathfully. "And so you suppose you're to have that field?" "Mr Maddox has as good as promised it, sir." "You'll find him in a different mind now." "He'll not go against his word!" For the first time during the interview Stephens's quietness was broken by a touch of passion. His eyes, lit up by a sudden fire, fastened themselves anxiously upon Anthony. Anthony, who had hitherto been the angry one of the two, felt a contemptuous satisfaction at having raised this wrath. "His word! Things are not done quite so easily as all that. You had better turn and go back again, for all the good you'll get by going on." "I should be glad of a direct answer, sir," said David, restraining himself with an effort. "Has Mr Maddox told you downright that he will not let us have the field?" "Yes, he has." Stephens's face had lost its red flush, but his eyes still held their deep fire. "Then God forgive you!" he said in a low passionate voice, opening out his hands slightly, and walking away with quick steps. Anthony did not look after him; he turned into the little path, and began to whistle with a certain sense of pleasure in his victory which was not checked by any pitiful misgivings. CHAPTER THREE. "God Almighty first planted a garden; and indeed it is the purest of human pleasures." Bacon's _Essays_. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As Anthony emerged from the little path under the fir-trees, he saw that Winifred and Marion were in the garden, and that Winifred was gardening, her gown drawn up, gauntleted gloves on her hands, and a trowel held with which she was at work. "We shall be ready in a minute," she called out, nodding to him. "I am so glad you are come, for I thought you might have forgotten our walk." "It was too hot before," said Anthony, strolling towards them, and stretching himself lazily upon the grass. "And I have done no end of work. You see those bare places in the beds, over which you were so unmerciful, are quite filled. Luckily Thomas had a great many surplus plants this year."