Page:Possession (Roche, February 1923).pdf/223

 behind hydrangeas and climbing roses. Derek dismounted, unlatched the gate, and led Darby cautiously towards the little stable.

Scarcely had he opened the door of the stable when a loud whinny came from Mr. Jerrold's grey, inside. Darby answered joyously, and ran into the empty stall beside his friend, reaching around the partition to nose the familiar face. Derek tied, and unsaddled him, and, with his saddle over his arm stood watching them with a good deal of complaisance. He did not hear the light step on the drive, and it was only her cry of astonishment that made him turn and face Grace Jerrold, whom he had been trying to avoid.

"You!" she cried. "And Darby! What does this mean? I heard the whinnying and stamping in the stable and I was afraid something was wrong—so I came." She went quickly to Darby's head and laid her own head against it. The only sound for a moment was the soft blowing of her horse against her neck, and the crunching of a swede from the grey's stall.

Without being told she divined what he had done. She had been told that Darby had gone to Grimstone and had been glad, though fear that he had been bought for Fawnie to ride had crossed her mind. Now she did not dare to look at Vale, but with her eyes hidden against that satiny head she whispered,

"You must not do it. I cannot let you do it."

He answered gently, "It is the first thing I have done that has given me any pleasure in months."

"Well, only if you will let me pay you back some time."

"If you wish you may."

Then she raised her face and looked at him.

"Oh, to think that when we last met I did not speak to you!"

"Don't talk of that."