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 brain for business than you. Mr. Vale says he can easily believe it."

They were entering the stables now, and her father replied: "Well, Mr. Vale may see for himself how I manage these."

The new mare was inspected, a daughter of Hearts Courageous, twice winner of the King's Plate. But the sixty milch cows in their immaculate stalls, the black and white of their soft coats gleaming, their overdeveloped udders pink and clean, roused in Derek both admiration and envy. His own little Jersey herd, of which he had been so proud dwindled to insignificance. Mr. Jerrold, and Hobbs who had joined them, expatiated on the superior virtues of the Holstein. Hobbs said he wouldn't give a Jersey stable room.

It seemed natural that Derek and Grace Jerrold should eventually separate from the others, while she took him to see the rose garden where the tight little olive buds were barely in sight, and the kitchen garden already heavy with the scent of lilacs. They followed the stream that entered Durras from Grimstone till they reached a low-lying meadow so wet they could not cross it. Here marsh marigolds crowded in golden profusion, more brilliant, it seemed to Derek, than anything he had ever seen.

"I think Durras is beautiful," he said. "It is like a fine English place. I had not expected anything so—mellow."

"It used to be a part of Grimstone, you know, till about thirty years ago when our predecessor bought it from your grandfather. Aren't you sorry he bought it?"

"No," said Derek, positively, "I'm very glad. I shouldn't know what to do with such a big slice of land. Besides, I want you for neighbours. It's much jollier."