THE LEGAL ASPECT Mistress de Chavasse sat musing, in that high-backed chair, for some considerable time.

Anon Sir Marmaduke once more traversed the hall, taking no heed of her as he went out into the garden.

She watched his broad figure moving along the path and then crossing the rustic bridge until it disappeared among the trees of the park.
There was something about his attitude of awhile ago which puzzled her.
And with puzzlement came an inexplicable fear: she had known Marmaduke in all his moods, but never in such an one as he had displayed before her just now.

There had been a note almost of triumph in the laughter with which he had greeted her last reproach.

The cry of the sparrowhawk when it seizes its prey.
Triumph in Sir Marmaduke filled her with dread.