_Lady Maisie._ I don't know why I said that; it was silly, of course. But how----? _Capt. Thick._ Ran it a bit too fine; got to Shuntin'bridge just in time to see the tail end of the train disappearin'; wasn't another for hours--not much to do _there_, don't you know. _Lady Maisie._ You might have taken a walk--or gone to Church. _Capt. Thick._ So I might, didn't occur to me; and besides, I--I remembered I never said good-bye to _you_. _Lady Maisie._ Didn't you? And whose fault was that? _Capt. Thick._ Not mine, anyhow. You were somewhere about the grounds with Mr. BLAIR. _Lady Maisie._ Now you mention it, I believe I was. We had--rather an interesting conversation. Still, you might have come to look for me! _Capt. Thick._ Perhaps you wouldn't have been over and above glad to see me. _Lady Maisie._ Oh, yes, I should!--When it was to say _good-bye_, you know! _Capt. Thick._ Ah! Well, I suppose I shall only be in the way if I stop here any longer now. _Lady Maisie._ Do you? What makes you say that? _Capt. Thick._ Nothin'! Saw your friend, the Bard, hurryin' along the terrace with a bunch of snowdrops; he'll be here in another---- _Lady Maisie_ (_in unmistakable horror_). GERALD, _why_ didn't you tell me before? There's only just time! [_She flies to a door and opens it._ _Capt. Thick._ But I _say_, you know! MAISIE, may I come too? _Lady Maisie._ Don't be a _goose_, GERALD. Of course you can, if you like. [_She disappears in the Conservatory._ _Capt. Thick._ (_to himself_). Can't quite make this out, but I'm no end glad I came back! [_He follows quickly._ _Undershell_ (_entering_). I hoped I should find her here. (_He looks round._) Her mother's gone--that's _something!_ I daresay Lady MAISIE will come in presently. (_He sits down, and re-arranges his snowdrops._) It will be sweet to see her face light up when I offer her these as a symbol of the new and closer sympathy between us! (_He hears the sound of drapery behind him._) Ah, already! (_Rising, and presenting his flowers with downcast eyes._) I--I have ventured to gather these--for you. (_He raises his eyes._) Miss SPELWANE! _Miss Spelwane_ (_taking them graciously_). How very sweet of you, Mr. BLAIR. Are they really for me? _Und._ (_concealing his disappointment_). Oh--er--yes. If you will give me the pleasure of accepting them. _Miss Spelw._ I feel immensely proud. I was so afraid you must have thought I was rather cross to you last night. I didn't mean to be. I was feeling a little overdone, that was all. But you have chosen a charming way of letting me see that I am forgiven. (_To herself._) It's really _too_ touching. He certainly is a great improvement on the other wretch! _Und._ (_dolefully_). I--I had no such intention, I assure you. (_To himself._) I hope to goodness Lady MAISIE won't come in before I can get rid of this girl. I seem fated to be misunderstood here! (_To be concluded._) * * * * *