He had not noticed that he was riding furiously down a hill, but he sped past the cart upon the grassy margin of the road and laughed as he went on.

His mood had changed and he resolved that he would go back to the creeper-covered house when Helen had had time to recover and his society would be less disturbing.

After all, Mrs.Dalton had told him he might come.
In the evening he walked up and down the terrace with Muriel, and told her why he had gone to Knott Scar, although he was satisfied with relating Charnock's financial troubles and said nothing about his engagement to Sadie.

He could not say that Muriel actually led him on, but he felt that she would be disappointed if he did not take her into his confidence.
"Of course I saw you knew all about it," she said when he stopped.
"Besides, I expected that Helen would give you leave to tell me.

It would make things easier for her and be more authentic." "I should expect Miss Dalton to think of that." Muriel smiled.