“Insolence!” But Margaret hurried on and he could not let her go alone. “I will go into the drawing-room. Get the carriage up. We mustn’t stay here....” She spoke breathlessly. “You are not frightened of her?” He hardly knew what to think, that Margaret was concealing anything from him was unbelievable, unbearable. “Frightened? No. But I want to be away from her presence, vicinity. She makes me feel ill....” Margaret thought the danger was averted, or would be if she could get away without any more explanation. She had obscured the issue. Peter Kennedy would come back and pay all that was asked. Gabriel would never know that it was the second and not the first attempt at blackmailing from which they were suffering. But she underrated his intelligence, he was not at all so easily put off. He got the carriage round and put her in it, enwrapping her with the same care as always. He was very silent, however, as they drove homeward and his expression was inscrutable. She questioned his face but without result, put out her hand and he held it. “We are not still thinking of Mrs. Roope, Gabriel?” “Have you seen her since I was here last?” he asked. “Not until she came up to us this afternoon.” She was glad to be able to answer that truthfully, breathed more freely. “Nor heard from her?” “Nor heard from her.” “How did you know Dr. Kennedy had gone up to town to see her?” “He told me so this morning. I ... I advised him to go.” “Was this morning the first time you saw him?” “No, I saw him yesterday. Am I under cross-examination?” She tried to smile, speak lightly, but Gabriel sat up by her side without response. His face was set in harsh lines. She loved him greatly but feared him a little too, and put forth her powers, talking lightly and of light things. He came back to the subject and persisted: “Why did she send back the post-dated cheque? Had she another given her?” “I ... I suppose so.” “Why?” “I don’t like the way you are talking to me.” She pouted, and he relapsed into silence. When they got back to Carbies she said she must go up and change her dress. She was very shaken by his attitude: she thought his self-control hid incredulity or anger, found herself unable to face either. He detained her a moment, pleaded with her. “Margaret, if there is anything behind this ... anything you want to tell me....” She escaped from his detaining arm. “I don’t like my word doubted.” “You have not given me your word. This is not a second attempt, is it? Why did she force herself upon you? I shall see Kennedy myself tomorrow, find out what is going on.” “Why should there be anything going on? You are conjuring up ghosts....” Then she weakened, changed. “Gabriel, don’t be so hard, so unlike yourself. I don’t know what has come over you.” He put his arms about her and spoke hoarsely: