A quarter of an hour later Garstang was cantering down the avenue, just as the lunch-bell was ringing; and Claud winked at his father as they crossed to the drawing-room, where his mother and Kate were seated, and chuckled to himself as he thought of the long afternoon he meant to have. "Oh, I say, guv'nor, it's my turn now," he cried, as Wilton crossed smiling to his niece, and offered her his arm. "All in good time, my boy; all in good time. You bring in your mother. I don't see why I'm always to be left in the background. Come along, Kate, my dear; you must have me to-day." "Why, where is John Garstang?" cried Mrs Wilton. "Off on the horse, mother," said Claud, with a grin. "Gone over to the station to wire." "Gone without saying good-bye?" "Oh, he's coming back again, mother; but we can do without him for once in the way. I say, Kate, I want you to give me this afternoon for that lesson in riding." "Riding, my dear?" "Yes, mother, riding. I'm going to give Kitty some lessons on the little mare." "No, no; not this afternoon," said the girl nervously, as they entered the dining-room. "Yes, this afternoon. You've got to make the plunge, and the sooner you do it the better." "Thank you; you're very good, but I was going to read to aunt." "Oh, never mind me, my dear; you go with Claud. It's going to be a lovely afternoon." "I should prefer not to begin yet," said Kate, decisively. "Get out," cried Claud. "What a girl you are. You'll come." "I'm sure Claud will take the greatest care of you, my darling." "Yes, aunt, I am sure he would; but the lessons must wait for a while." "All right, Kitty. Come for a drive, then. I'll take you a good round." "I should prefer to stay at home this afternoon, Claud." "Very well, then, we'll go on the big pond, and I'll teach you how to troll." She turned to speak to her uncle, to conceal her annoyance, but Claud persevered. "You will come, won't you?" he said. "Don't worry your cousin, Claud, my dear, if she would rather not," said Mrs Wilton. "Who's worrying her?" said Claud, testily. "I say, Kate, say you'll come." "I would rather not to-day," she said, quietly. "There now, you're beginning to mope again, and I mean to stop it. I tell you what; we'll have out the guns, and I'll take you along by the fir plantation." "No, no, my boy," said Wilton, interposing. "Kate isn't a boy." "Who said she was?" said the young man, gruffly. "Can't a woman pull a trigger if she likes?" "I daresay she could, my dear," said Mrs Wilton; "but I'm sure I shouldn't like to. I've often heard your papa say how badly guns kicked." "So do donkeys, mother," said Claud, sulkily; "but I shouldn't put her on one that did. You'll come, won't you, dear?" "No, Claud," said Kate, very quietly and firmly. "I could not find any pleasure in trying to destroy the life of a beautiful bird."