Bankside, the Pagnells' house, was a pretty, old-fashioned box, perched on the side of a hill and commanding a lovely view of the Wandsborough valley. A snug, leafy retreat, all shrubbery and flowers and smooth lawns--it was just the place for open-air festivities. We have already made the acquaintance of its lord on the magisterial bench, which is as well, as we shall not see him here. He has a horror of social gatherings, and leaves all duties of entertaining to his eldest daughter, Isabel--a tall, handsome girl of five-and-twenty. "So here you are at last, Clara," was the latter's greeting, as she came forward to receive the Ardleigh party. "You disappointing girl! I particularly asked you to come rather early, and so you wait until the last moment. How are you, Mr Dorrien? And now--come and have some tea." "You seem to have got together a good many new people, Isabel," said Clara, as they made their way to the tennis ground. "First of all, who is that tall young fellow in white flannels over there, laughing as if he would never stop?" "Where? Oh, that. That's Eustace Ingelow. Nice looking boy, isn't he? Odd you've never met him--and hasn't he grown handsome? I'll introduce him," and in obedience to her beckoning signal, the subject under discussion hastened lip and was introduced in due course. Even Clara, who was not fond of the family, readily admitted that in appearance the rector's son bore out her friend's eulogium. Tall and well-made, his sun-browned, handsome face wearing the brightest and merriest of expressions, and his manner, though perfectly free and unaffected, devoid of all approach to bumptiousness, the young fellow had been winning golden opinions from everybody. "Ah, Mr Dorrien, I've heard of you," he said, turning his dark eyes upon this new acquaintance. "Awfully glad to meet you," and a hearty hand-grip cemented their friendship on the spot. "Now, Mr Dorrien, no shirking, if you please," cried Isabel laughingly. "It has been my sole object in life this afternoon to let no two men hang together; so come along and be introduced all round, and do your duty. Can't help it, Clara, must be done," she added, with the faintest possible significance in her tone as she turned away. Roland felt rather savage. He wanted to elicit some information from Eustace Ingelow, by dint of a few carelessly worded questions, but no opportunity was vouchsafed him. However, he descried Margaret on the other side of the lawn, and upon her presently he bore down. "--Expecting them home? But they are home, Mr Dorrien," said Margaret in surprise, answering a question as to her sisters' return. "They came back yesterday. Olive is rather unwell to-day, and is staying at home. Have you met my brother?" as the latter passed them, talking to Nellie Dorrien, to whom he had obtained an introduction.