"It was a true bet; you wrote it down in your book and I wrote it down in mine. It's as true as true can be. You wrote--I remember the words quite well--`If Clay gets an introduction through Marcia Aldworth to Miss Angela St Just, I will pay Nesta one sovereign; and if she fails, Nesta is to give me one sovereign.' Now did you, or did you not, make me that bet?" "Oh, it was a bit of fun--a joke." "It isn't a joke; it's real earnest. I tell you what; I'll go straight to your father and tell him before every one present what has really happened. I'll tell him that you made a bet and won't keep it, for I have won," said Nesta excitedly. "You ask Clay if I haven't. Clay was at our house this morning, and Angela called. Blessed thing! I see nothing in her. She was introduced to your Clay, and your Clay hopes to bring her here to Court Prospect, and if I haven't earned my sovereign, I want to know who has. So now." "Really and truly, Nesta, I wish you wouldn't talk so loud. Oh, look at all those people coming this way. They'll see us, and Clay will call me. I see Clay with them." "Let her call. I'd like her to. I'd like to explain before every one that you never kept your bet." "Oh, do come into the house, Nesta. Do for pity's sake." Penelope dragged the fierce and rebellious Nesta into the house by the side door. "Now," she said, "sit down and cool yourself. What will Bertie say? and he came here specially on my invitation. He is my guest. I'm awfully sweet on him. I am really, and--oh dear, oh dear--I don't care about Angela St Just, and I don't believe that she was introduced to Clay." "Well, you ask Clara. I'll shout to her--I say, Clara!" "Stop, Nesta! You must be mad!" Penelope put her hand over Nesta's mouth. "Give me my yellow-boy and I'll be off," she said, pushing back Penelope's hand as she tried to force her from the window. "I haven't got it now; I'll bring it to-morrow." "I won't stir from here till I get it," said Nesta. "I suppose with all your riches you can raise one sovereign. I want it and I'm not going away without it. Flossie and I are going to have ginger beer and chocolates at Simpson's, in the High Street, and we're not going to be docked of our pleasure because you are too fine a lady to care." "Oh dear; oh dear!" said Penelope. "What is to be done? I haven't got the money--I really haven't." "Well, I suppose some of you have. I see your father on the lawn; I'll run up to him and tell him. If I talk out loud enough he will give it to me. I know he will." "Nesta, you are driving me nearly mad!" "Let me have the money and I'll go." "Pen, Pen! Where are you?" called Mabel's voice at that moment, from the garden. "They want me. Bertie will think I've deserted him. Oh, Nesta, you are driving me distracted."