Heyton threw himself down on the bed and closed his eyes with the preposterous idea of getting a little sleep; but he lay and listened, and presently he heard Miriam's maid knocking at the bedroom door; then he rose and rang for his man.
"Early this morning, eh, Simcox?" he said. "Been for a swim. Feel jolly fit. Fact is, we all lie abed too late; I've half a mind to get up for a bath in the lake every morning."
The valet grinned to himself as he answered respectfully,
"Yes, my lord. Very pleasant in the morning."
When he had half finished dressing, Heyton called to Miriam.
"I say, Miriam, what about a drive this morning? We might go over to Teynsham."
"I don't know; I'll see," she called back listlessly.
"I'll wear a tweed suit," said Heyton to his man; "I'll have the new one. And, look here, you tell the tailor to give me a little more room round the waist. I suppose I must be getting fat, eh, Simcox?"
"Oh, not fat, my lord," murmured Simcox, remonstratingly. "More—er—comfortable."
When the man had finished with him, Heyton lit a cigarette and leant back in his chair—as if he were waiting for something.