Besides there was sufficient vanity in him to rely on a personal meeting with Mrs.Ascott.But he laughed in his sleeve at the idea of the necessity of making love to her.
And one day when Hamil was out for the third or fourth time, walking about the drives and lawns in the sunshine, and Malcourt was not in sight, Portlaw called for his riding-breeches and boots.
He had not been on a horse in years and it seemed as though only faith and a shoe-horn could get him into his riding-breeches; but with the aid of Heaven and a powerful valet he stood before his mirror arrayed at last; and presently went out across the lawn and through the grove to Malcourt's house.
Young Mrs.Malcourt in pink gingham apron and sun-bonnet was digging with a trowel in her garden when he appeared upon the landscape.
"I don't want you to tell Louis," he cautioned her with a very knowing and subtle smile, "but I'm just going to ride over to Pride's this morning and settle this lawsuit matter, and surprise him." Shiela had straightened up, trowel in her gloved hand, and now stood looking at him in amused surprise.
"I didn't know you rode," she said.

"I should think it would be very good for you." "Well," he admitted, turning red, "I suppose I ought to ride now and then.

Louis has been at me rather viciously.

But you won't tell him, will you ?" "No," said Shiela.
"Because, you see, he doesn't think me capable of settling this thing; and so I'm just going to gallop over and have a little friendly chat with Mrs.Ascott--" "Friendly ?" very gravely.
"Yes," he said, alarmed; "why not ?" "Do you think Mrs.Ascott will receive you ?" "Well--now--Louis said something of that sort.

And then he added that it didn't matter--but he didn't explain what I was to do when she refused to see me....