"I don't know," said Dalrymple, in the same tone. "I'd stick to water all the day if she'd let me drink it out of the same cup. Isn't she beautiful--perfectly lovely!" "Hush, she'll hear you," muttered Sir Arkroyd, warningly. But he need not have feared. Una sat like the dream-maiden in the ballad, deaf to all but the plash of the oars and the music of the birds. Presently the stately pile of Hampton Court Palace glided, as it were, into their view, and with a long pull Dalrymple sent the boat to the island. The two other boats were close behind, and then these grand people who were accustomed to be waited on hand and foot, got out and dragged hampers under the shadow of the oaks and willows; and the countess and Lady Clarence laid the cloth, while Lady Bell and the rest knelt beside the hampers and pulled out the things one by one. Then Sir Arkroyd was sent to lay the champagne bottles in the shallow water, and Dalrymple was handed a dish and the ingredients for making the salad. In a few minutes luncheon was set out to the accompaniment of much laughter, and a few accidents. One of the champagne bottles had slid into the deep water, and disappeared to the bottom of the river to astonish the fish. The corkscrew followed it; and dismay fell on all, until the viscount calmly produced another from his pocket. "Never go to a picnic without a corkscrew," he said, shaking his head. "Generally have to produce it, too." Then there was much dragging about of hampers, and arranging of shawls and boat cushions to provide seats for the ladies; but at last all were seated, and Dalrymple, brandishing a knife in dangerous proximity to Lady Pierrepoint's head, cut the first slice of raised pie. Then it was discovered how easy it is to make jokes at a picnic. You can't be stately and ceremonious sitting cross-legged on the grass, and balancing your plate on your knees; especially when, in consequence of there not being quite enough knives, you have to lend the one you are using to your next-door neighbor. As usual, too, there were not quite enough plates and those dainty gentlemen, who went into fits if a fly fell into their wineglasses at the club, bent down on their hands and knees and washed plates in the river. "And there is no rain," said Lady Bell. "Then one of us will have to fall into the river," said the viscount, solemnly. "Must have rain or an accident at a picnic, you know. Will you have some more cream, Lady Earlsley?" Lady Bell shook her head, laughingly. "No, thanks; I have enjoyed it all immensely. Why cannot we have a picnic every day?" But Una, who sat next her, had noticed that she scarcely touched anything. "Let us go into Bushey Park, and turn savages," said Dalrymple. "Halloa; speaking of savages, what a pity the Savage isn't here. This is just in his line." Lady Bell bent down suddenly to take a flower from the cloth.