And while Diana gazed upon his sharp face with wonder and disfavour, Ratcliffe hailed Rockhurst once more: “Therefore, I say, good Master Harry, pray you bid them call up our horses.” Young Rockhurst protested. But Diana, to Ratcliffe’s surprise and greatly to his satisfaction, instantly backed the request:— “Indeed, Lionel is right; our presence is out of place at this meeting.” “Nay,” implored Harry, and ran headlong down into the Peacock Walk again to catch her hand, “for pity’s sake … no and indeed no, madam.” The lady disengaged herself, settled her roses, gathered her gloves and whip from the bench and looped her riding skirts. Then she turned, and, smiling, courtesied:— “Indeed and indeed, yes, sir! And since farewell it must be, why, then, farewell!” She wafted a kiss from her roses toward him. “Ah, no!” he implored, still endeavouring to arrest her. “’Slife!” cried Lionel, impatiently looking up. “There rises the flag … there flies the noble blazon! Let it be the signal for us. Come Di—go, hurry the horses, Ned!” he shouted to Hare, who, astride on the upper balustrade, sat gaping down at them. “Blessings upon the Rakehell,” he muttered to himself, as Diana motioned Harry on one side with decisive gesture. “Nay, it is good-by,” she was saying. The boy caught her fingers and the roses together:— “Oh, madam, will you turn all my joy into sorrow?” Here the gate-bell clanged again. “My father,” cried Harry, starting toward the steps. “Farewell,” said Diana, “and—” “Ah, no,” cried the poor lover, distractedly, and ran back to fling himself once more before her. “But a few minutes, dearest Diana!” She hesitated before his distress. Lionel irritably seized her arm. “Nay, child, you must come!” The touch, the tone were overmasterful. She flashed a haughty look upon him. “Must! Cousin Lionel?” Harry, seeing his advantage, pressed it ardently. “Delay but for five minutes! Sure, ’tis not much to ask!” “You foolish lad!” said Diana, gently. Then, smiling into the passionate eyes, “Yet I would not seem churl to you. And I will even wait these five minutes in the rose garden yonder. Your arm so far, an it please you, Lionel. But, I pray you, remember that there must be no musts from you to me.” She moved away with a very stately grace, Lionel, biting his lips upon a bitter smile, walking at her side. Harry stood gazing after her as one lost in a dream. II FATHERLY WISDOM My Lord Rockhurst approached the wall of the upper terrace and looked down upon his son. His countenance, naturally grave, and stamped now with the pallor and fatigue of his lengthy ride, grew graver as he watched. Beside him, his sister threw up scandalised hands. But, as she was about to give voice to her feelings, he arrested her with a gesture, and went slowly to the top of the stairs. There he paused and called,— “Harry!” The boy started, wheeled round, rushed up the steps, and dropped on one knee before his father. “My lord … my dear father!”