“You can’t, my dear chap.  A mistake has always got to be paid for in full—­often with interest added.  As a sportsman you know that, and it holds all through life in my experience.”

“I shan’t make one.  But if I do, I’m quite prepared to pay the cost.”

“We all say that till the bill comes along.  Better avoid the mistake, and I’m glad you’re going to.”

Far away from the scrub on North Hill came a sharp, weird sound.

“Hark!” said Waldron.  “That’s a dog fox!  I hope the beggar’s caught a rabbit.”

CHAPTER XV

A VISIT TO MISS IRONSYDE

On the following day Raymond did not appear at breakfast, and Estelle wondered at so strange an event.

“He’s going for a long walk with me this afternoon,” she told her father.  “It’s a promise; we’re going all the way to Chilcombe, for me to show him that dear little chapel and the wonderful curiosity in it.”

“Not much in his line, but if he said he’ll go, he’ll go, no doubt,” answered her father.

They went to church together presently, for Waldron observed Sunday.  He held no definite religious opinions; but inclined to a vague idea that it was seemly to go, because it set a good example and increased your authority.  He believed that church-going was a source of good to the proletariat, and though he did not himself accept the doctrine of eternal punishment, since it violated all sporting tenets, he was inclined to think that acceptation of the threat kept ignorant people straight and made them better members of society.  He held that the parson and squire must combine in this matter and continue to claim and enforce, as far as possible, a beneficent autocracy in thorpe and hamlet; and he perceived that religion was the only remaining force which upheld their sway.  That supernatural control was crumbling under the influences of education he also recognised; but did his best to stem the tide, and trusted that the old dispensation would at least last out his time.

On returning from worship they found Raymond in the garden, and when Estelle reminded him of his promise, he agreed and declared that he looked forward to the tramp.  He was cheerful and apparently welcomed Estelle’s programme, but there happened that which threatened to interfere with it.

Waldron had retired to his study and a new book on ‘The Fox Terrier,’ which he reserved for Sabbath reading, and Estelle and Raymond were just setting out for Chilcombe when there came Sabina.  She had called to see her lover and entered the garden in time to stop him.  She had never openly asked to see him in this manner before, and Raymond was quick to mark the significance of the change.  It annoyed him, while inwardly he recognised its reasonableness.  He turned and shook hands with her, and Estelle did the same.

“We’re just starting for Chilcombe,” she said.