12 TALES OF THE TURF AND THE CHASE. 



She did not turn her face towards him, as in a measured 

 voice, a voice of ominous cahn, she spoke, 



'You have a big thing on to-morrow, sir? Yes, you told me 

 that. You will marry Lady Laura Stewart if your horse wins 

 the race. I think you forgot, maybe, to tell me that. Jess might 

 spoil sport. Mr. Ellis, was that what you thought ?' 



Beneath a gas-lamp the man glanced uneasily at the quiet 

 little figure which strode along, pace for pace, with him out 

 towards the solitude of the Heath. 



' Yes, it would be easy for me to put Joe in the way of temp- 

 tation even yet. I might make you the loser in that way. You 

 would then be a beggar, and Lady Laura would get a better 

 husband in Lord Castleton.' 



The deliberate statement of possibilities made the cold sweat 

 to stand on the young man's brow, but he knew better than to 

 waste words on Jess in such a mood. She went on : 



' No one else can ride Satanas to win. You know that Joe is 

 your best chance. Shall I go home and say to him, " Joe, you 

 will make the fortune of a blackguard who has stolen your sister's 



love, and made her Joe, you are going to give a bride to 



the arms of the man who has played fast and loose with your 

 sister Jess " ? Shall I go home and do this thing, Mr. Ellis ?' 



She turned her face towards him for the first time, and, trying 

 in the gloom to see his face, her voice sank into the most thrilling 

 whisper. They stood facing each other. 



'When I was a little child, at my mother's knee — how long 

 ago it seems ! — there was a prayer I used to say which went, 

 " Lead us not into temptation." Many times in my life since I 

 have tried to bring these same words back to my lips, but they 

 never, never came until to-night. Because of those years ago — 

 because those words will not leave me — I have come to say 

 good-bye to you. Joe will win the race to-morrow, and I — I — 

 O God, have mercy on me !' 



She broke off suddenly, and lifted her hands to the dim 

 stars with a movement of uncontrollable anguish. They were 

 standing on the border-land of the Heath now. Only the 

 twinkling of lights from private houses and far-off gas-lamps 

 made illumination here and there. A chill evening air blew 

 across the grass, and fluttered the skirts of Jess's ulster. The 

 man drew nearer to her, stretching out a hand. With a swift 

 movement she started aside. 



' No, no, do not touch me ! Do not let me think that you 



