So Olivia, feeling quite safe, stepped lightly along to where the crowd gathered round the stand. It was a perfect night and very warm, therefore many people were seated in the chairs and strolling across the grass. Olivia went to a certain corner, and, as she expected, found her lover. He was not in evening-dress, but for the sake of the meeting had assumed a dark serge suit. As she advanced, he recognised her and came forward taking off his hat. Then he gave her his arm and the two strolled to the far end of the green where they sat down under the fence which was round the flag-staff. There, removed from everyone, they could talk in moderately loud tones. "My darling," said Rupert, possessing himself of Olivia's hand. "I thought you would not come. You were late." "I could not get away before. Miss Pewsey watches me like a cat does a mouse, and with the same disposition to pounce, I expect." "She's a detestable woman," said Rupert angrily, "why can't she leave you alone?" "I don't know. Rupert, she wants me to marry her nephew." "What, that bounder who rides so furiously," cried Rupert fiercely, "you don't mean to say that he dares----" "Not in words, but he looks--oh," Olivia shivered, "you know the sort of look a man like that, gives you." "I'll twist his neck if he insults you." "Then Miss Pewsey would complain to my aunt and I should get into trouble. Oh, Rupert," she said softly, "I am so afraid." "Of that man. Nonsense." "No--of everything. I can keep Mr. Burgh off--" "Who is he?" asked Rupert jealously. "Miss Pewsey's nephew. I can manage him, bold as he is. But it is you I am afraid of. Listen," and Olivia told the young man what she had learned from Miss Wharf that afternoon. "She can ruin you," said the poor girl, almost crying, "and she will if she learns the truth." Rupert pressed the hand he held. "Why not tell her the truth," he said. "I'm willing to face poverty if you are." "Rupert, are you mad? If Aunt Sophia learned that we were married--hark, what was that?" and Olivia rose, and nervously peered into the shadows, "I thought I heard a noise." "It's nothing. Only some rats in the long grass within the fence. No one's about. They're all over at the band. But about our marriage, Olivia. Miss Wharf must learn sooner or later." "Yes. But you know I asked you to keep it quiet that I might not have trouble with her. It was selfish of me, for it would have been braver of me to have faced her anger and then have told all the world that we were married at that Registry Office. But I'm glad now I didn't. She would have ruined you." "She can't do anything till the end of the year." "But why didn't you tell me she held this mortgage?" "Well, I thought that before the end of the year I might manage to pay it and the other mortgages off. Then we could announce that we were married, and live at Royabay on what small income I have."