Tod did the honours. Went to receive him, and brought him to us under the tree. The children stopped blowing bubbles to stare at Mr. Clement-Pell as he crossed the lawn. It struck me that just a shade of annoyance appeared in his face when he saw so many of us there. Shaking hands, he sat down by Mr. Todhetley, observing that it was some time since he had seen us. It was six weeks, or so: for we had not happened to meet him since that visit of mine and Tod's at his house in Kensington. All the family were back again now at Parrifer Hall: and we were going to a grand entertainment there on the following day, Thursday. An open-air fête, the invitations had said. "You have been very busy lately, Mr. Clement-Pell," observed the Squire. "I've not been able to get to see you to thank you for the kindness of your folk to my boys in town. Twice I called at your chief Bank, but you were not visible." "I have been unusually busy," was the answer. "Business gets worse; that is, more extensive; every day. I have had to be about a good deal besides; so that with one thing and another, my time has been more than fully occupied. I am very glad your young men enjoyed themselves with us in London," he added in hearty tones. Mr. Brandon gave me such a look that for the life of me I could not say a word in answer. The London visit, taking it altogether, had not been one of enjoyment: but Clement-Pell had no suspicion of the truth. "Rather a _rapid_ life, that London life," remarked Mr. Brandon dryly. And I went hot all over, for fear he might be going to let out things to the company. "Rapid?" repeated Mr. Clement-Pell. "Well, so it is; especially for us business men." Mr. Brandon coughed, but said no more. The Squire pressed refreshment on Mr. Clement-Pell. He'd have nothing to say to the cider--it would make him hotter, he thought--but took some of the lemonade. As he was putting the glass down Mrs. Todhetley asked whether to-morrow's fête was to be as grand and large as was reported. And the annoyance, seen before, most certainly again crossed Clement-Pell's face at the question. "I do not really know much about it," he answered. "These affairs are my wife's, not mine." "And perhaps you don't much care for them," put in the Squire, who had noticed the expression. "I should like them very much, if I had more time to spare for them," said Mr. Clement-Pell, playing with his handsome chain and seals. "We men of large undertakings must be content to work ourselves, and to let our wives and daughters do the playing. However, I hope I shall manage an hour or two for this one to-morrow." "What are to be the amusements?" inquired Mrs. Todhetley. "The question is, rather, what they are not to be," smiled Mr. Clement-Pell. "I heard the girls talking about it with one another last night. Dancing, music, archery, fortune-telling----" "Something, I suppose, of what may be called a fancy-fair," she interrupted.