"Thank you," answered Mrs Chancellor, "I should _like_ it very much, but I cannot drive." She coloured a little, not so much from annoyance at having to confess her deficiencies, as from the consciousness of her sister-in-law's eyes being fixed upon her in a sort of smiling, good-natured criticism. "I don't know anything about horses," she went on, in her nervousness falling into the unnecessary candour against which her husband had warned her. "I have never ridden or driven in my life. My father has no horses. We have never been accustomed to anything of the kind at Wareborough." "Oh indeed," said Mrs Eyrecourt, urbanely. But Captain Chancellor got up from his seat with a quick movement, which his wife had already learnt to interpret only too truly. This time, however, she fancied her eyes must have deceived her, for when he spoke his voice sounded as calm and softly modulated as usual. "Yes," he said, cheerfully, "that's one of the accomplishments you must take up, Eugenia. You must give her some lessons, Gertrude. I don't think you will find her a bad pupil; she has plenty of nerve, and that's the great thing." Gertrude looked a little surprised, almost, Eugenia fancied, a _very_ little disappointed, at her brother's pleasant tone. But she recovered herself instantly. "I shall be very glad indeed to teach Eugenia anything I know," she said, amiably. "Not that I am half as good a whip as Roma." Eugenia hardly heard what she said, for the quick thrill of pleasure and gratitude that had shot through her on hearing her husband's words had completely changed the current of her thoughts. "How good and kind of Beauchamp to speak so of me," she said to herself. "I wish I could remember not to show myself to disadvantage in that stupid way. I wish I were more dignified and reserved." She only saw him alone for an instant before he left. They were standing in the hall waiting for Mrs Eyrecourt, who was going to drive her ponies herself, as, probably, she had in her heart intended to do from the first. "Beauchamp," began Eugenia, eagerly, but in a low voice, looking round to see that no servant was within earshot, "Beauchamp, I did think it so kind of you to speak that way about my learning to drive. I was so afraid what I said might have annoyed you, like that day at the Luxembourg, for you see I haven't got accustomed to not being over-communicative, but I really will--" "Don't speak of it," he interrupted, angrily, turning from her abruptly. "I expect next to hear you say you never saw silver forks and spoons before. How you can be so unutterably childish and silly, and so regardless of _my_ feelings, Eugenia, passes my comprehension. Ah, Gertrude," with a sudden, but complete, change of tone, as Mrs Eyrecourt appeared on the staircase, "there you are! I was just thinking of hurrying you; we have no time to spare," and he hastened forward to hand his sister into the carriage.