* * * * *
Marsham's horse carried him swiftly through country roads, where the
moon made magic, and peace reigned. But the mind of the rider groped in
confusion and despair, seeing no way out.
Only one definite purpose gathered strength--to throw himself on the
counsel of Sir James Chide. Chide had known--from the beginning!
CHAPTER X
Marsham reached Felton Hall about six o'clock. The house, a large
Georgian erection, belonging to pleasant easy-going people with many
friends, was full of guests, and the thought of the large party which he
must face at dinner and in the evening had been an additional weight in
his burden during the long ride home.
No means of escaping it, or the gossip with regard to himself, which
must, he knew, be raging among the guests!
That gossip had not troubled him when he had set forth in the early
afternoon. Quite the contrary. It had amused him as he rode to
Beechcote, full of confident hope, to think of announcing his
engagement. What reason would there be for delay or concealment? He
looked forward to the congratulations of old friends; the more
the better.
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