'Oh, yeth, I am thure of plenty of partnerth.' 'I should imagine so. We men must have very bad taste if we let you sit down. Did you walk here this morning?' 'No, I rode. The hortheth are taken round. I have been here a long time with Freda. It ith thuch a nice morning, ithn't it, Colonel Vaughan?' 'Delightful! What do you mean to do when you are your own mistress? I quite fancy how grand you will feel when you have struck the magic hour.' 'I darethay I thall be jutht the thame, unleth I get married.' Freda glances up, and perceives a smile of amusement on Colonel Vaughan's lips, and the usual calm inanity on Miss Nugent's handsome features. 'That will depend on yourself, I am sure,' said the colonel. Freda looks again, and sees the colonel's magnificent eyes fixed on the young lady, who returns his glance, and simpers out,-- 'I darethay it will.' Colonel Vaughan turns suddenly, and encounters Freda's glance. 'How does the drawing get on Freda? Capitally! What a sky! quite artistic.' This is said whilst looking over Freda's shoulder, but she does not respond to the remark. 'I wath jutht thaying I with I could draw. It mutht be thuth a nithe amuthement.' 'Very. How is Lady Mary, to-day? I am ashamed to say I forgot to ask for her.' 'Very well, thank you. The thaid you promithed to come over and help to arrange the decorationth. I hope you will.' 'Thank you, yes. Perhaps Miss Gwynne will ride over with me to-morrow; will you, Freda?' 'I am engaged to-morrow,' said Freda shortly. 'You will come at any rate, if Freda won't?' said Miss Nugent; 'the alwayth thayth the ith engaged when we athk her. Now, don't be engaged on Thurthday. I muth go now; will you be tho kind ath to ring for the hortheth, Colonel Vaughan?' The horses were ordered, and the colonel assisted the young heiress to mount. She looked remarkably well on horseback, and even Freda was obliged to allow that she and her grey mare would have made a fine equestrian statue. She saw Colonel Vaughan look at her, and even watch her down the drive. When he returned to the drawing-room, he said,-- 'What is the matter, Miss Freda? Have the domestic deities been adverse this morning? I am afraid you are very--cross,' 'Thank you, Colonel Vaughan. I am not at all--cross.' 'Have I had the misfortune to offend you?' 'You? by no means. But I do not wish to assist in any of the Nugent decorations. I am not so fond of the family as you may imagine; Lady Mary and Miss Nugent are less than indifferent to me. Lady Mary is a mere manoeuvrer, that no straightforward person could like; and Miss Nugent is a mere handsome wax figure, with such clever machinery inside, that she can literally say the words, "mamma thaith." I have heard of a doll who could say "mamma," but she is still cleverer.' 'Colonel Vaughan bit his lips, knit his forehead, but smiled. 'You are severe upon your neighbours, Freda.'