Though the last bottle of the red sparkling Burgundy had long since vanished, Archie vowed there was a binful, and fortunately for his veracity Goring announced a decided preference for the white; and while Alison played dreamily with her brother's ring, and thought again and again how strange it was that her hair and her likeness should have been worn with it for so long in far and distant lands by Bevil Goring, the conversation turned to general subjects between the latter and her father, who came secretly to the conclusion that he 'was a very fine young fellow.' He had seen the last on earth of Ellon, had stood by his grave, had seen the smoke of the death volleys curling over it, and seen it covered up; thus Alison thought he was more to her than any mere stranger could ever be, and already, in her heart, she had begun to deem him more indeed. And after he had taken his departure, when she offered the ring to Sir Ranald, to her joy, he begged her to retain it, and, much to her surprise, answered that he meant to have a little dinner party. 'You quite take my heart away, papa--a dinner party!' exclaimed Alison. 'Yes, we shall have this young fellow Goring (he asked me to dine at his mess, you know), and his brother officers Dalton and Wilmot, Cadbury of course, and you can have Mrs. Trelawney, who is always charming company, to keep you in countenance--a nice little party.' 'Oh, papa,' exclaimed Alison, in genuine dismay, 'think of our poor _ménage_.' 'Tut--consult Mrs. Prune on the subject.' 'I thought you wished to have a rest from dinner parties.' 'I have been at so many, that some return----' 'Yes--but--but, papa----' 'What next, child?' 'Our last quarter's bills were so large,' urged Alison. 'Large for our exchequer, I have no doubt.' 'Let us call it luncheon, papa, and I think I shall arrange it nicely,' she pleaded, her heart quickening at the chance of meeting Bevil (she already thought of him as 'Bevil') again. So that was decided on, and the invitation notes were quickly despatched. Alison had watched from a window the shadow of their visitor, as that of man and horse lengthened out on the sunlighted road, until shadow and form passed away; but Goring, as he rode homeward, was little aware that he had not seen the _last_ of Ellon Cheyne's ring. CHAPTER IV. LAURA TRELAWNEY. The invited guests all responded, and accepted almost by return of post, and a sigh of relief escaped Sir Ranald when he found no missives came with them, as he was generally well pleased when he saw the village postman pass the avenue gate. 'Captain Goring, I see, uses sealing wax--good custom--good old style,' said he, returning that officer's note to Alison, who prized it rather more than he knew; 'uses a shield too--the chevron and annulets of the Gorings of Sussex--not a crest; every trumpery fellow sticks one on his notepaper now--the crest that never shone on a helmet.'