Mrs. Ferrers was carefully draped in her China-crape shawl, one of Madoline’s wedding gifts to her aunt, and costly enough for a royal present. ‘Thanks. There is a shawl on a sofa in the drawing-room.’ ‘Let Daphne fetch it,’ interjected Mrs. Ferrers; and her niece flew to obey, while the other three sauntered slowly along the broad terrace in front of the windows. There were some light iron chairs and a table at one end of the walk, and here they seated themselves to enjoy the summer night. ‘As our English summer is a matter of about five weeks, broken by a good deal of storm and rain, we ought to make the most of it,’ remarked Gerald. ‘I hope we shall have a fine day for the Abbey to-morrow.’ ‘You are going to take Lina to the Abbey?’ ‘Yes, for a regular businesslike inspection; that we may see what will have to be improved or altered, or added or done away with before next year.’ ‘How interesting! I should like so much to drive over with you. My experience in housekeeping matters might possibly be of use.’ ‘Invaluable, no doubt,’ answered Gerald, with his easy-going, half-listless air; ‘but we must postpone that advantage until the next time. We are going in Daphne’s boat, which will only comfortably hold three,’ said Gerald, with a calm contempt for actual truth which horrified Madoline, who was rigidly truthful even in the most trivial things. ‘Going in Daphne’s boat! What an absurd idea!’ ‘Don’t say that, Aunt Rhoda, for it’s my idea,’ remonstrated Gerald. ‘But I can’t help saying it. When you have half-a-dozen carriages at your disposal, and when the drive to Goring is absolutely lovely, to go in a horrid little boat.’ ‘It is a very nice boat, Aunt Rhoda, and Daphne manages it capitally,’ said Lina. ‘I think it will be a delightfully dreamy way of going,’ said Gerald. ‘We shall take our time about it. There is no reason we should hurry. I shall order a carriage to meet us at the bottom of Goring Lane, where we shall land. If we prefer to drive home we can do so.’ ‘My dear Gerald, you and Madoline are the best judges of what is agreeable to yourselves; but I cannot help thinking that you are encouraging Daphne in a most unbecoming pursuit.’ The appearance of Daphne herself with the shawl put a stop to the argument. She folded the soft woollen wrap round her sister, and then stopped to kiss her. ‘Good-night, Lina,’ she said. ‘Going to bed so early, Daphne? I hope you are not ill.’ ‘Only a little tired after my rambles. Good-night, Aunt Rhoda; good-night, Mr. Goring,’ and Daphne ran away. ‘Aunt Rhoda might drive over and meet us at Goring, Gerald,’ suggested Madoline, who was always thoughtful of other people’s pleasure and did not wish her aunt to fancy herself ignored. ‘Certainly. I shall be charmed, if you think it worth your while,’ said Gerald.