CHAPTER VI
AT THE MEET
On one occasion, and one only, in the whole year were the gates ofthe Manor thrown open to all comers, opulent Americans andimpecunious Britons alike. And this was when, in accordance with acustom that had been observed from time immemorial, the foxhounds metupon the Manor lawn.
It was then that Sir Giles, who cursed this obligatory hospitality forweeks beforehand, emerged with a smile as fixed as his scowl, shook handswith the select few whom he deigned to number among his acquaintances andpointedly ignored the many who did not enjoy this privilege.
With old Dimsdale the butler rather than with his master rested thehonours of the house, and old Dimsdale did his part nobly; so nobly thatMajor Shirley was heard to remark more than once that it was a pity heand Sir Giles couldn't change places. It was the great day of Dimsdale'syear, and his was the proud task to see that none of the guests wereneglected.
Anne usually rode to hounds on this occasion. Tall and stately, clad inthe conventional black riding-habit that only added grace to her severityof outline, she moved among her husband's guests. And even those of themwho, like Major Shirley, resented that queenliness which was an inbornpart of her very nature, were fain to admit that she filled her positionas lady of the Manor with striking success. Though she had withdrawnherself more and more of late from the society of the neighbourhood, sheacted the part of hostess with unfailing graciousness. On foot she movedamong the throng, greeting everyone she knew.
Little Dot Waring, standing in the background with her brother on acertain misty morning in January marked her progress with looks of lovingadmiration. Lady Carfax's mount, a powerful grey with nervous ears andgleaming eyes, was being held in unwilling subjection close to them.
"Be ready to mount her when she comes this way, Ralph," Dot whispered, asthe tall figure drew nearer.
But the honour of mounting Lady Carfax was not for Ralph. A man ona black mare--a slight man with high cheek-bones and an insolentbearing--was threading his way towards them through the crowd. The mare,like the grey, was restive, and her rider swore at her whimsies as hecame.
Meeting Dot's frank regard, he checked himself and raised his hat with acourtesy half-instinctive.
Dot stared, coloured, and very slightly bowed.
Ralph sniggered. "Let yourself in for it that time, my child! Here comesBertie to effect a formal introduction."
"Bertie won't introduce him," she said quickly.
Bertie, looking very handsome and stalwart, was already close to them. Heleaned down from the saddle to shake hands.
"Are you following on foot? I wish I was. Never thought of it tillthis moment."
"I would much rather follow on horseback," Dot declared, looking as ifshe did not believe him.
He laughed. "I'll take you in front of me if you'll come."
"No. I shouldn't like that," said Dot very decidedly.
"How can you possibly know till you try?"
Dot looked up at him with the sunshine in her clear eyes. "How do youknow that you would prefer to follow the hounds on foot? I don't supposeyou ever have."
"How do I know?" laughed Bertie. "Because I should be in your company, ofcourse. Isn't that reason enough?"
"Idiot!" said Dot tersely.
"Minx!" said Bertie.
She flushed, looked angry for a moment, and then in spite of herselfdimpled into a smile. "Bertie, you're a beast! Say that again if youdare!"
"I daren't," said Bertie.
"No, I thought not. Now apologise!"
"Oh, not now! Not in public!" he pleaded. "I'll drop in this evening andyou can shrive me before I go to bed."
"I shan't be at home," said Dot, with her head in the air.
"Oh, yes, you will. Anyway, I'm bound to catch you if I wait longenough." Bertie spoke with cheery assurance. "Hullo! What do you want?"
His expression altered as his glance fell upon his brother, who had justcome to his side. He looked inclined to scowl.
But Nap was not apparently desiring an introduction to the rector'sdaughter. "Hold the mare a minute, will you?" he said.
Bertie complied and he swung himself to the ground.
Lady Carfax was coming towards them and he went to meet her.
Her grey eyes smiled a friendly welcome. "I was just wondering if youwere here."
He bowed low. "I am honoured indeed to be in your thoughts for asingle instant."
"I hope I do not forget my friends so easily," she said. "Oh, here aresome more of them! Excuse me for a moment."
She went straight to Dot, shook hands with her and her brother, and stoodchatting for a few seconds.
Nap remained close behind her, and after a little she turned toInclude him in the group. "Have you ever met this Mr. Errol. Dot? Mr.Errol--Miss Waring!"
Dot bowed again with a scarlet countenance, but the next instant afriendly inspiration delivered her from the moment's awkwardness.
"And you don't know Bertie Errol, do you, Lady Carfax?" she said eagerly."Let me introduce him. He studies with Dad, you know."
"When he isn't hunting, or paper-chasing, or--baking cakes," said Bertie."He's such a nice boy, Lady Carfax. He can do almost anything. I'm sureyou'll like him!"
Dot laughed and protested. "He isn't a bit nice, and he isn't clevereither, though he thinks he is. I don't believe he learns anything withDad. They study natural history most of the time."
"Harmless, anyway!" commented Nap, with a sneer.
"Yes, quite harmless," assented Bertie, looking straight at him.
"And very interesting, no doubt," said Lady Carfax, turning towardsher mount.
Ralph moved to assist her, but Nap pushed before him. "My job, I think,"he drawled, with that in his face which made the English youth drawsullenly back.
"Cad!" whispered Dot fiercely.
And Bertie from his perch above her laughed through clenched teeth.
In a few minutes more the hunt was off. The whole crowd streamed brisklyaway, hounds leading, horses, motors, carriages, and the usual swarm ofpedestrians, following in promiscuous array.
The sun shone through a mist. The weather was perfect for hunting, butlooked as if it might end in rain.
Sir Giles rode with the master. He seemed in better spirits than usual.His customary scowl had lifted.
His wife rode nearer the end of the procession with Nap Errol next toher. His brother was immediately behind them, a very decided frown on hisboyish face, a frown of which in some occult fashion Nap must have beenaware, for as they reached a stretch of turf and the crowd widened out,he turned in the saddle.
"Get on ahead, Bertie! I can't stand you riding at my heels."
Bertie looked at him as if he had a retort ready, but he did not utterit. With tightened lips he rode past and shot ahead.
Nap smiled a little. "That young puppy is the best of the Errol bunch,"he said. "But he hasn't been licked enough. It's not my fault. It's mybrother's."
"He looks a nice boy," Anne said.
Nap's smile became supercilious. "He is a nice boy, Lady Carfax. But niceboys don't always make nice men, you know. They turn into prigssometimes."
Anne diverted the subject with an instinctive feeling that it was oneupon which they might not agree.
"There is a considerable difference between you?" she asked.
"Eight years," said Nap. "I am thirty, Lucas five years older. Mostpeople take me for the eldest of the lot."
"I wonder why?" said Anne.
He shrugged his shoulders. "It is not really surprising, is it? Lucas hasbeen on the shelf for the past ten years and I"--he glanced at hershrewdly--"have not!"
"Oh!" said Anne, and asked no more.
For the first time the definite question arose in her mind as to whetherin admitting this man to her friendship she had made a mistake. He had adisquieting effect upon her, she was forced to acknowledge.
Yet as they drifted apart in the throng she knew with unalterableconviction that the matter did not rest
with her. From the outset thechoice had not been hers.
He had entered the gates of her lonely citadel on the night of the HuntBall, and though she was by no means sure that she liked him there, shefully realised that it was too late now to try to bar him out.