Julian panted with anger. It was well for her that none was in the pew by her to notice her emotion. At the last Amen she flung open the door, and stepped out into the aisle, at the same moment as Urith, and both made their way to the porch, side by side, without a look at each other. They passed through the doorway together, and saw Anthony standing there. Instantly--the whole thing was done so quickly as to escape Anthony's notice--Julian turned with flashing eye on Urith, plucked the rose from her bosom, pressed it to her own lips, then threw it on the ground and crushed it under her foot. There was no time--that was no place for retaliation. Urith's blood rushed to her heart; then she caught her husband's arm, and with him walked away. All that day a sense of alarm and unrest troubled her. Julian had renewed her defiance; had threatened both her and Anthony. Would this threat be as vain as her former defiance? Urith swallowed her fears, scorned to entertain them--but the sting remained. In the evening, when about to start on her return, when his horse was ready--"You must wait for me a moment, Tony," she said, and hurried back to the porch. The rose, trampled out of shape, trodden on by many feet, lay there, soiled and petalless. If Julian were to snatch him away, were to cast him down under foot and crush him--what would she do? Would she wear him again? Would she stoop to him? She stood in the grey, cool porch, looking at the battered flower. Then she bent, picked up the rose, and hid it in her bosom. FOOTNOTE: [5] Now the Bedford Inn. CHAPTER XXIV. KILWORTHY. Anthony helped Urith to the saddle, saying, "I am not coming home just now. You must ride back alone." "But why not?" Urith asked, in surprise, and a little disappointment. "Must I account to you for all my acts?" said Anthony, somewhat testily. "Not at all," answered Urith; "but surely there is no objection to my asking so innocent a question as that. If, however, it gives you displeasure, I will abide without an answer." "Oh!" said Anthony, the cloud passing from his face, "I have no reason not to answer. I am going with Fox. He has asked me to return with him to Kilworthy; and as I have seen no one for a couple--nay, for three months, and have well-nigh lost the use of my tongue, I have accepted." "I do not like Fox. I do not like you to be with him." "Am I to consult you as to whom I make my friends? He is the only one who has come forward with frankness, and has braved my father's displeasure by showing me a countenance of old friendliness." "I do not like Fox--I mistrust him." "I do not," said Anthony, bluntly. "I am not going to take my opinions from you, Urith." "I do not suppose you will," retorted she, with a little heat; "but do not forget what he did to you at the Drift. That was a false and cowardly act."