"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.... Ah—could—would you mind telling me what to do in that case, Mrs. Malcourt?"