Adrien Leroy

She looked at him steadily, as she replied: "I rode over there yesterday, and found them all in great trouble. They

told me Mr. Vermont, acting under your orders, had refused to grant them

new leases. I promised to speak to Uncle Phillip; but you know how angry

he gets whenever any one mentions Mr. Vermont's name, so I thought I

would ask you myself." She blushed crimson, as if at her own boldness.

"Of course, you mustn't do it just on my account, but--"

"Mustn't I?" interrupted her cousin, looking keenly, almost

affectionately at the slim, girlish figure, and pretty piquant face. "I

should certainty grant whatever you asked me if it lay in my power. As a

matter of fact, however, I think Jasper said that, as they were unable

to make Briar Farm pay, would I lower the rent; and as that would be

creating a precedent for all the other tenants--I refused."

Lady Constance nodded her head. "Quite right," she agreed; "but I happen

to know that the farm does pay splendidly, and--"

"In any case, Constance," interrupted Adrien, almost tenderly, "it is

quite sufficient, if you wish it so. But I think--I am sure--Jasper must

have made a mistake."

Lady Constance did not reply, but wisely changed the subject; she was

too clever to pursue her advantage, and she had gained her point--sown

the least little doubt of Mr. Jasper Vermont's rectitude in Adrien's

mind.

Meanwhile, Mr. Vermont had also betaken himself to the stables; but he

did not ask to see "King Cole"--contenting himself with beaming

admiringly on Mr. Markham, while the head groom held forth on all the

precautions he was taking with regard to the precious animal's safety.

"An' if he's got at, Mr. Vermont, sir, I'll eat my head," was his

parting speech.

In reply to which Mr. Vermont murmured inaudibly, as he walked away:

"It's a lucky job, my good fellow, that I shan't make you keep your

word!"

At the end of the plantation, beyond the stable buildings, there was a

little cottage attached to the straw-yard. Having reached this, Jasper

listened attentively; then, without any warning knock, he lifted the

latch, and entered.

To all appearances the room was empty, save for some pieces of poor

furniture. But the visitor, blinking at the sudden transition from light

to darkness, walked over to a rough couch, where lay the misshapen

jockey Peacock, either asleep or deep in thought. Jasper shook him

angrily by the shoulder, and a sullen scowl darkened the little

monkey-like face as he recognised his visitor.