From this time forth there commenced an intimacy between the chauffeur and the Ramsays. He not only spent an hour now and then with the captain, smoking, playing picquet, and talking over old times, but he gave Mrs. Ramsay valuable assistance with her boarders, treated bites, thorns, and other casualties with a practised hand; on one occasion sat up at night with a serious case of distemper; on another, traced and captured a valuable runaway. He admired her for her unquenchable spirit, energy, and pluck, and helped in the kennel with the boy she employed, and undertook to exercise the most boisterous dogs of an evening. These thoroughly enjoyed their excursions with an active companion, who, however, maintained a strict but kindly discipline; and, of a bright moonlight night, it was no uncommon sight to meet the chauffeur, four or five miles from Ottinge, accompanied by, not only Joss, but by several of Mrs. Ramsay’s paying guests. The friendship between the captain and the chauffeur naturally did not pass unnoticed, and the verdict of the Drum was that the young fellow, having spare time on his hands, had been “took on as a sort of keeper at Ivy House, and gave a help with the kennel and the old man--and the old man was growing worse.” Leila had arranged to pay a flying visit to Brodfield when her brother went there to fetch the motor, and he found her awaiting him in a gloomy sitting-room of that once celebrated posting-inn--the Coach and Horses. “Three months are gone!” she said, after their first greetings, “so far so good, _ce n’est que le premier pas qui coute_!” “There are a good many _pas_ yet! It’s awfully nice to see you, Sis, and be myself for once in a way,” and then he proceeded to unfold his experience with Captain Ramsay. “Oh, how ghastly! The poor lunatic talking away to you, and taking you for our father! Imagine him recognising you by the likeness, and skipping thirty-three years! No one else suspects you, do they?” “His wife knows my real name, and that’s all; I had to tell her, but she is safe as a church. Miss Susan has been curious.” “Bless her dear simple heart!” “I say amen to that; but of all the mean, purse-proud, tyrannical old hags, give me Bella Parrett! She’s always bragging of her family, too, and her crest--in my opinion it ought to be a civet cat!” “Oh, Owen,” and she laughed, “it’s not often that you are stirred to such indignation.” “Ah, you don’t know her.” “Apparently not. Well, what do you say to a move, and to better yourself? I believe I could find you a capital place in Somersetshire, not so retired, more in the world, and with quite smart people.” “No, thanks, I’ll stick to this now--anyway till Christmas.” “But, Owen, when the old woman and the motor are so objectionable--by the way, I must inspect it before you start to-morrow--why remain?” “Oh, I’ve got the hang of the place now. I know the people, I’ve comfortable quarters--and--er--I like Miss Susan----”