"I think," said James, "you'll find that he wants you most." She felt that this must be fathomed. "And if he did," she said, "should you object to that?" He kept very dry. "It isn't a case of objecting to that, or this. The question before me at present is whether I want to form one of a party which doesn't want me, and where I might be in the way." "From what I know of Mr. Urquhart," she answered, "I don't think he would ever ask a person he didn't want." "He might, if he couldn't get the person he did want in any other way," said James. "Who else is to come?" "Vera Nugent and her boy, and perhaps Lord Considine. He is going to ask Laurence and Mabel and all the boys too." "It will be a kind of school-treat," said James. "I own it doesn't sound very exciting. Where are we to go to?" "To Norway. He knows of a house on the Hardanger Fiord, a house in a wood. He wants to hire a steamer to take us up from Bergen, and means to bring a motor-boat with him. There will be fishing of sorts if you want it." "I don't," said James; then held up his chin. "Is my tie straight?" She looked. "Perfectly. What am I to say to Mr. Urquhart?" He said, "I'll talk about it; we'll discuss it in all its bearings. I don't think I'm so attracted as you are, but then--" "It's very evident you aren't," Lucy said, and no more. She felt in a prickly heat, and thought that she had never wanted anything so much in her life as this which was about to be denied her. She dared not write to Lancelot about it; but to Urquhart she confessed her despair and hinted at her longing. He replied at once, "Ask me to dinner. I'll tackle him. Vera and child will come; not Considine. The Corbets can't--going to Scotland, yachting. We needn't have another woman, but Vera will be cross if there is no other man. Up to you to find one." This again she carried to James, who said, "Let him come--any free night. Tell me which you settle, will you?" James had been thinking it out. He knew he would have to go, and was prepared with what he called a spoke for Jimmy's wheel. Incidentally it would be a nasty one for Lucy, and none the worse for that. He considered that she was getting out of hand, and that Urquhart might be a nuisance because such a spiny customer to tackle. But he had a little plan, and chuckled over it a good deal when he was by himself. He was, as usual, excessively urbane to Urquhart when they met, and himself opened the topic of the Norwegian jaunt. Urquhart took up the ball. "I think you might come. Your wife and boy will love it, and you'll kindle at their joy. 'They for life only, you for life in them,' to flout the bard. Besides, you are not a fogey, if I'm not. I believe our ages tally. You shall climb mountains with me, Macartney, and improve the muscles of your calves. You don't fish, I think. Nor do I. I thought I should catch your brother-in-law with that bait--but no. As for mine, he'll spend the month in bed somewhere."