We came out upon the eminence overlooking the next hole, which lay far below us. As I stooped to tee-up my ball, a gleeful shout came up the hillside. "Hello, John Bellamy!" Glancing down, I saw Jasper, Jr., at the edge of the wagon road. He was waving his cap and, even at that distance, I could see the radiance in his good-looking young face. A young and attractively dressed woman stood beside him. I waved my hand and shouted a greeting. "I thought you said he'd gone to Covington to see her off," I said, turning to the young man's father with a grin. "Not the same girl," said he succinctly, squinting his eyes. "That's the little Parsons girl from Richmond. He was to _meet_ her at Covington. Jasper is a scientific butterfly. He makes both ends meet,--nearly always. Now no one but a genius could have fixed it up to see one girl off and meet another on the same train." Later on, Jasper, Jr., and I strolled over to the casino verandah, the chatty Miss Parsons between us, but leaning a shade nearer to young Titus than to me, although she appeared to be somewhat overwhelmed at meeting a real live author. Mr. Titus, as was his habit, hurried on ahead of us. I afterwards discovered he had a dread of pneumonia. "Aline never said a word about your coming, John," said Jasper, Jr. He called me John with considerable gusto. "She's learning how to hold her tongue." "It happens that she didn't know I was coming," said I drily. He whistled. "She's off somewhere with Amberdale. Ever meet him? He's one of the finest chaps I know. You'll like him, Miss Parsons. He's not at all like a Britisher." "But I like the British," said she. "Then I'll tell him to spread it on a bit," said Jappy obligingly. "Great horseman, he is. Got some ripping nags in the New York show next week, and he rides like a dream. Watch him pull down a few ribbons and rosettes. Sure thing." "Your father told me that the Countess was off riding with him and another chap,--off to Fassifern, I believe." "For luncheon. They do it three or four times a week. Not for me. I like waiters with shirt fronts and nickle tags." Alone with me in the casino half an hour later, he announced that it really looked serious, this affair between Aline and his lordship. I tried to appear indifferent,--a rather pale effort, I fear. "I think I am in on the secret, Jappy," said I soberly. He stared. "Has she ever said anything to you, old chap, that would lead you to believe she's keen about him?" I temporised. "She's keen about somebody, my son; that's as far as I will go."