Once when he stepped in to prevent
it, she flew out almost like a tigress, asking what business it was of
his, that he should dare to come between her and them. The lesson was an
effectual one; and he never interfered again. But the indulgence was
telling on the boy's naturally haughty disposition; and not for good.
CHAPTER XXXII.
IN THE PARK.
As the days and weeks went on, and Lord and Lady Hartledon continued at
Calne, there was one circumstance that began to impress itself on the
mind of the former in a careless sort of way--that he was constantly
meeting Pike. Go out when he would, he was sure to see Pike in some
out-of-the-way spot; at a sudden turning, or peering forth from under
a group of trees, or watching him from a roadside bank. One special day
impressed itself on Lord Hartledon's memory. He was walking slowly along
the road with Dr. Ashton, and found Pike keeping pace with them softly on
the other side the hedge, listening no doubt to what he could hear. On
one of these occasions Val stopped and confronted him.
"What is it you want, Mr. Pike?"
Perhaps Mr. Pike was about the last man in the world to be, as the saying
runs, "taken aback," and he stood his ground, and boldly answered
"Nothing."
"It seems as though you did," said Val. "Go where I will, you are sure to
spring up before me, or to be peeping from some ambush as I walk along.
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