They set out, walking side by side. Anne
told him of what Lord Hartledon had said to her that day; and Val
coloured with shame at the sullenness he had displayed, and his heart
went into a glow of repentance. Had he met his brother then, he had
clasped his hand, and poured forth his contrition.
He met some one else instead, almost immediately. It was Dr. Ashton,
coming for Anne. Percival was not wanted now: was not invited to continue
his escort. A cold, civil word or two passed, and Val struck across the
grove into the high-road, and returned to Hartledon.
He was about to turn in at the lodge-gates with his usual greeting to
Mrs. Capper when his attention was caught by a figure coming down the
avenue. A man in a long coat, his face ornamented with red whiskers. It
required no second glance for recognition. Whiskers and coat proclaimed
their owner at once; and if ever Val Elster's heart leaped into his
mouth, it certainly leaped then.
He went on, instead of turning in; quietly, as if he were only a stranger
enjoying an evening stroll up the road; but the moment he was past the
gates he set off at breakneck speed, not heeding where. That the man was
there to arrest him, he felt as sure as he had ever felt of anything in
this world; and in his perplexity he began accusing every one of
treachery, Lord Hartledon and Pike in particular.
The river at the back in this part took a sweeping curve, the road kept
straight; so that to arrive at a given point, the one would be more
quickly traversed than the other.
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