mounted by Austin's side. They had just turned into the road when Dick
came racing through the hall and saw them disappear. He walked up the
drive, and met the boy coming down, who handed him the note, with some
words, which he did not hear. He watched the boy out of sight. Then he
tore the note unread into tiny fragments, stamped them furiously into
the mould of the nearest bed, and, flying into his armoury, threw
himself into a chair and cursed the day that ever Austin was born.




CHAPTER III

KATHERINE


The drive was a memorable one for many reasons. First the new mare flew
along at an exhilarating trot, as if showing off her qualities to her
new masters. Then the morning sunshine flooded the soft, undulating
Warwickshire country, and slanted freshly through the bordering elms in
sweet-scented lanes. Summer flaunted its irresponsible youth in the
faces of matronly, red-brick Manor House, old grey church, and crumbling
cottage, danced about among the crisp green leaves, kissed the wayside
flowers, and tossing up human hearts in sheer gaiety, played the very
deuce with them. The drive also had its altruistic side. They were on an
errand of benevolence. Austin, his mind conscious of nothing but right,
felt the unusual glow of unselfish devotion to another's interests. When
he had awakened that morning he had had misgivings as to the
advisability of sending Dick to another hemisphere. After all, Dick was
exceedingly useful at Ware House, and saved him a great deal of trouble.