The door was flung wide, and the butler came down the steps with concern written large on his discreet features. He opened the door of the car. Major Stotford alighted, shouldered the man authoritatively out of the way, and assisted Prudence to the ground. She leaned on his arm heavily, and he saw her blue eyes darken with a look of pain. "I'm sorry; my ankle hurts." She turned from him to the waiting servant; but Major Stotford, anticipating her request, lifted her in his arms and carried her easily up the steps and into the hall. The butler, following quickly, got ahead of this intrusive stranger whose proceedings he did not altogether approve of, and threw open the drawing-room door. Major Stotford entered with his burden, and after one swift comprehensive glance which took in the fact that the room was untenanted, and located the sofa at the same moment, carried Prudence to it and laid her gently down among its cushions. He stood over her inquiringly, anxiety in his look and the hint of a smile in his eyes. "Come now! We're all right, eh?" he said, and felt in his pocket for his flask, thought better of it and withdrew his hand again empty. Prudence made an effort to sit up and laughed nervously. "It's so stupid," she said, "A little thing like that! It's nothing really." She was immensely relieved that no one save Graves had witnessed their arrival. It would have alarmed her father, and scandalised Agatha, to have seen her carried in like a baby. Major Stotford's helpfulness had been in excess of what was necessary, she felt; with the aid of a strong arm she could have accomplished the journey herself. "I've given you a lot of trouble. You've been awfully kind to me," she said. Before he could reply, Mr Graynor entered, concerned and fussy, followed by Agatha, who wore an expression of protest, and suggested frigid disapproval in the very rustle of her skirts. "I always knew how it would end," she exclaimed. "This doesn't in the least surprise me." "Oh! it isn't the end," Major Stotford put in with a twinkling of amusement. "These little annoyances happen at the beginning. I don't think there are any bones broken." Mr Graynor bent anxiously over Prudence and laid a hand on her hair. "You've had an accident. Are you much hurt?" he asked. "It's nothing really," she said, ashamed at the general fuss in front of a stranger. "I had a spill--a silly little spill which jarred my ankle. Major Stotford very kindly motored me home." Mr Graynor glanced swiftly at the person referred to. His anxiety partially relieved, he found time to give attention to the man who had not only brought his daughter home, but was, he imagined, responsible for the accident. Major Stotford, taking advantage of the pause, set about correcting this impression, which he had foreseen as likely to follow his share in the proceedings.