As the Monkswood party were leaving the town they encountered a very dashing victoria and pair, which stopped, and Alice was beckoned to by a sprightly dark-eyed lady with a rose-lined parasol. “My _dear_ Lady Fairfax, this is most apropos! I have been over to Monkswood to tell you that I won’t take _any_ refusal, but must insist on you and Miss Ferrars coming to my dance on Wednesday. You will stay and sleep of course. The excuse you gave was most frivolous and ridiculous.” “Many thanks, Lady Rufford. Let me introduce my husband, who has just returned from India.” Lady Rufford received the dark _distingué_-looking gentleman who was presented to her with effusion, and plied him with questions more or less embarrassing. Before they parted it was agreed that they would all be present at her ball without fail. Alice and Geoffrey dropped behind together, on the way home, exchanging lively sallies and critical observations. “I say, Alice, doesn’t it look as if Rex was getting up a strong flirtation with Miss Ferrars? What is he leaning over, and saying to her? Are you jealous?” “Don’t be absurd, Geoff.” “I suppose you think Rex can’t flirt, you pretty little confiding innocent! _Can’t_ he though! They used to say that when he did go in for it, which was seldom enough, he could give any fellow a week’s start with a girl and cut him out after all.” “I don’t believe a word of it,” commencing to trot. “Oh, you can please yourself about that. Remember you are warned. Come along, and let us interrupt their _tête-à-tête_ before your domestic peace is wholly destroyed.” Riding close up behind the other pair he sang: “Will you walk a little faster, Said a whiting to a snail, There’s a lobster close behind me, And he’s treading on my tail. “Miss Ferrars,” he continued, “there’s a glorious bit of turf; come and have a canter.” This well-meant effort had no effect in readjusting the party; they all started together, and the ride was completed by a spirited neck-and-neck race between Alice and Geoffrey across the park. The same evening, after dinner, it being a splendid moonlight night, they all strolled out about the pleasure-ground, except Miss Saville, who had too much regard for her rheumatic old bones. The French windows in the drawing-room opened on a terrace which led down by a flight of steps to a broad gravel walk. Mary and Reginald had come in, and were standing just inside the open window. Alice and Geoffrey had lingered behind, quarrelling, as usual. They could hear their fresh young voices coming up the walk in high argument. Reaching the steps, Alice sat down on the lowest and said: “Now, Geoff, a truce to nonsense. Be a good boy, and I’ll tell your fortune with this daisy.” “I’d much rather you would give me a kiss,” he replied, stealing a black arm round her taper white waist.