Lady Pickering was pushed beyond the bounds of calculation, and when quite sincere she was really charming. 'O Gerald,' she said, looking up at him and full of roguish contrition, 'how unkind you are! And how horribly clear sighted. It's I who am jealous! Yes, I really am. I can't bear being neglected.' 'I don't see why you should,' said Gerald laughing, 'and I certainly shouldn't show such bad taste as to neglect you. So that it is jealousy, pure and simple. Is your ankle in the least hurt?' 'Really, I don't know. I did tumble a little, and then I saw you coming, and felt that I wanted to be talked to, that it was my turn.' 'What an absurd woman you are.' 'But do say that you like absurd women better than solemn ones.' 'I shall say nothing of the sort. Sometimes absurdity is delightful, and sometimes solemnity--not that I find Miss Jakes in the least solemn. It would do you a world of good to let her inform your mind a little.' 'Oh, please, I don't want to be informed, it might make my back look like that. My foot really is a little hurt, you know. Is it swollen?' Gerald looked down, laughing, but very unsympathetic, at the perilous heel and pinched, distorted toe. 'Really, I can't say.' 'Do sit down, there is plenty of room, and tell me you aren't cross with me.' 'I'm not at all cross with you, but I'm not going to sit down beside you,' said Gerald. 'I'm going to take you and your ankle back to the house and then find Miss Jakes and go on talking.' 'You may make _me_ cross,' said Lady Pickering, rising and leaning her arm on his. 'I don't believe I shall. You really respect me for my strength of character.' 'Wily creature!' 'Foolish child!' They were standing in the path, laughing at each other, far from displeased with each other, and it was fortunate that neither of them perceived among the trees Althea, passing again at a little distance, and glancing round irrepressibly to see if Gerald had indeed followed her; even Lady Pickering might have been slightly discomposed, for when Gerald said 'Foolish child!' he completed the part expected of him by lightly stooping his head and kissing her. He then took Lady Pickering back to the house, established her in a hammock, and set off to find Althea. He knew that he had kept her waiting--if she had indeed waited. And he knew that he really was a little cross with Frances Pickering; he didn't care to carry flirtation as far as kissing.