A mental struggle, p. 58

to A Mental Struggle.

" Charming—and so is your idea; but I do not think 1

shall go," returns Imogen calmly.

Lady Olivia, who is just leaving the room, looks back at

her.

"You haven't been out to-day; it would do you good,"

she says gently, but does not wait for an answer.

"Ah now, Imogen, why disappoint us?" complains

Patricia fondly. "Mr. Brown and you in front; Elinor

and I behind. X piarti carre complete, all in one moment."

" To say nothing of Sandie and me as outriders ! " puts

in Sylvia. " Say yes, Imogen, and the thing is done.

There is nothing to prevent you. The day will not

rain. Your escort will be faithful. Mr. Bro-wn, I feel

assured, -ndll not upset you in any dyke. Be persuaded,

then ! "

As once again her name is coupled with that of Felix

Brown, Imogen flushes faintly, and diaws back with a

slight haste suggestive of extreme hauteur.

" I cannot go with you to-day, Silvia," she says gentbr,

but very distinctly.

" 'An' if she -^"on't, she won't,' " quotes Miss Yelverton,

with a slight shrug. " Well, I must leave you, as I have

a word to say to Sir Hugh from my father. Coming,

Patricia?"

" Mr. Bro-(%'n," says Patricia, smiling back at him as

she leads the silent Elinor to the door in Sylvia's wake,

" v:e have failed. I leave it to you to persuade Imogen

to come with us to The Grange."

They have all gone now, and Imogen, lifting her head,

finds herself alone with Felix. Rising to her feet with

the little graceful larrguor that belongs to her, she moves,

without haste, to the door.

" Miss Heriot—one -word," exclaims Felix, as he stands

by the door ready to open it for her, his hand upon the

handle. His lips are tightly set. " Wluj will you not go

to-day with the others to The Grange ?"

He waits impatiently for his answer, but none comes.

Standing thus before her, gazing down on her lowered eyes

and calm, unutterably lovely face, the possibility of loving

and yet murdering a woman is borne in upon him.