"It was his suggestion, not mine."
Then, taking Mrs. Lawrence's hand, Broussard gave her a brother's kiss, which she returned as a sister might, and they passed out of the office. In the hall Broussard left cards for Colonel and Mrs. Fortescue and Anita. Kettle, having heard that Broussard was leaving, came out of the dining-room, where he had been washing dishes, and wiping his hands on his long checked gingham apron, offered a friendly grasp to Broussard.
"I ain' goin' ter let Miss 'Nita furgit you, suh," Kettle whispered, "doan' you be skeered of Mr. Conway—he treat Miss 'Nita same like he did when she wear her hair down her back."
Broussard inwardly thought that perhaps Conway's plan was best. But he gave Kettle a confidential wink and a bank note.
"Some day I'll come back, Kettle, and then——"
Broussard did not finish the sentence in his own mind. Anita had seen just enough to prejudice a young, innocent girl against him.
Outside the door, a trooper was holding Gamechick by the bridle, delivering the horse to his new master.
"Good-bye, good horse," said Broussard, patting Gamechick's neck. "You did me the best turn any creature, man or beast, ever did me, and I promise never to forget my obligations to you."
Horses are sentimental creatures. Gamechick knew that Broussard's words were a farewell. He turned his large, intelligent eyes on Broussard, saying as plainly as a horse can speak:
"Good-bye, good master. Never will I, your faithful horse, forget you."