Rodman touched her shoulder and shook her, but not roughly.

‘Do not be such an eternal fool!’ he grumbled.  ’Do you know where Adela is or not?’

‘No, I don’t,’ came the smothered reply.  Then, raising her head, ‘Why do you think so much about Adela?’

He leaned against the dressing-table and laughed mockingly.

’That’s the matter, eh?  You think I’m after her!  Don’t be such a goose.’

‘I’d rather you call me a goose than a fool, Willis.’

’Why, there’s not much difference.  Now if you’ll sit up and behave sensibly, I’ll tell you why I want her.’

‘Really?  Will you give me a kiss first?’

’Poor blubbery princess!  Pah! your lips are like a baby’s.  Now just listen, and mind you hold your tongue about what I say.  You know there used to be something between Adela and Eldon.  I’ve a notion it went farther than we know of.  Well, I don’t see why we shouldn’t get her to talk him over into letting you keep your money, or a good part of it.  So you see it’s you I’m thinking about after all, little stupid.’

’Oh, you really mean that!  Kiss me again—­look, I’ve wiped my lips, You really think you can do that, Willis?’

’No, I don’t think I can, but it’s worth having a try.  Eldon has a soft side, I know.  The thing is to find her soft side.  I’m going to have a try to talk her over.  Now, where is she likely to be?—­out in the garden?’

‘Perhaps she’s at her mother’s.’

‘Confound it!  Well, I’ll go and look about; I can’t lose time.’

‘You’ll never get her to do anything for me, Willis.’

’Very likely not.  But the things that you succeed in are always the most unlikely, as you’d understand if you’d lived my life.’

‘At all events, I shan’t have to give up my dresses?’

‘Hang your dresses—­on the wardrobe pegs!’

He went downstairs again and out into the garden, thence to the entrance gate.  Adela had passed it but a few minutes before, and he saw her a little distance off.  She was going in the direction away from Wanley, seemingly on a mere walk.  He decided to follow her and only join her when she had gone some way.  She walked with her head bent, walked slowly and with no looking about her.  Presently it was plain that she meant to enter the wood.  This was opportune.  But he lost sight of her as soon as she passed among the trees.  He quickened his pace; saw her turning off the main path among the copses.  In his pursuit he got astray; he must have missed her track.  Suddenly he was checked by the sound of voices, which seemed to come from a lower level just in front of him.  Cautiously he stepped forward, till he could see through hazel bushes that there was a steep descent before him.  Below, two persons were engaged in conversation, and he could hear every word.