But there was not much going in the line of food, and so gradually, step by step, the most daring of the herd ventured into the open, and slowly approached the visitors, who were wise enough to throw tempting bits about twelve feet away from them. Watchful to note the slightest movement of a muscle, the bread was at length secured, and the herd scampered away in a panic of fear, only to return for more, thrown nearer the feet of their friends. So it was at last, with advances of six feet and retreats of as many yards, at the crackling of a bush or a change in the wind, that the most adventurous consented, standing as far aloof as possible, and stretching their necks to the last degree of tension, to take the bread from the visitors' hands. But finally even the charms of the deer were exhausted, and as they turned about and began slowly to stroll homeward across the park, Lady Isabelle abruptly broached the subject which both of them had nearest at heart. "I'm afraid," she began, "that I'm very prone to order the lives of my friends, from my own point of view." "My life, for instance?" he asked. "Mr. Stanley," she said, "I shan't be really happy till I have apologised for the way I spoke at Lady Rainsford's tea. I'd no right to do so, and I'm sure my judgment was hasty and ill-advised. I've been trusting to my eyes and ears rather than to the reports of other people, and I'm sure I've been mistaken. Do you know how Miss Fitzgerald spent part of yesterday?" "I have not seen her to speak with to-day." "Then I'll tell you. She was helping poor old Mr. Lambert trim the church for to-morrow. I think it was very nice of her." "I'm afraid your commendation has come a trifle late. The fact is, I took it upon myself to counsel the young lady in question against a friend of hers--a Colonel Darcy." "Not Colonel Robert Darcy?" "The same." "Do you know him?" she asked. "No, but I know how he treats his wife, and his own character is none too good." "It's curious," she said, a trifle sadly, "but I'm in just your position in regard to a dear friend of mine, and concerning the same man." "Concerning Colonel Darcy?" "Yes." "And his intimacy with Lieutenant Kingsland?" "How did you know?" "'He that hath eyes to see----'" quoted the Secretary. "They never even knew each other till a short time ago, but in the last few weeks they've been constantly together. I can't understand it." Mr. Stanley thought he could, but forbore to say so. "I don't know why I distrust Colonel Darcy, but I do," she continued, "and his sudden intimacy with Jack--Lieutenant Kingsland--makes me apprehensive. Do you think----" "I think your friend is of too pliable a nature to be in the hands of so unscrupulous a rascal." She sighed, and then feeling perhaps that she had said too much, hastened to revert to their original subject, saying: