"Yes, and I'm afraid you'll say it looks like the Middle Ages when you see a flight on the hills near Matcham. The members of the Falconry Club in this neighbourhood are not all boys." "But the hawks!" exclaimed she. "Where--where can one see them?" "Have you really hawks?" inquired Allan's young lady, who had exhausted the Chapter House, and who caught eagerly at another local subject. "How utterly delightful! Do you go out with them very often?" "I blush to admit that I have not even seen them, though I know there are such birds kept in the neighbourhood. I have even been invited to become a member of the society, and am seriously thinking about offering myself for election." Seriously thinking since two minutes ago, be it understood, for until he caught that speech from the unknown young lady he had hardly given falconry a thought. She and her companion had disappeared when he and his porcelain lady turned at the end of the terrace. "Do you know that girl who was talking about the hawks?" he asked. "Yes, I have been introduced to her. She is the girl of the house." "I am afraid you are missing a dance," said Allan, with grave concern. "We had better go in, had we not?" "Yes, I fear I am behaving badly to somebody; but it is so much nicer here than in those hot rooms." "Infinitely preferable; but one has a duty to one's neighbour." They met a youth in quest of the porcelain girl. "Oh, Miss Mercer, how could you desert me so long? Our waltz is half over!" Allan breathed more freely, having handed over Miss Mercer. He made his way quickly to the hall where Mrs. Mornington was still on guard, receiving the latest comers, sending the first batch into the supper-room, and dictating to everybody. "I shall not leave your elbow till you have introduced me to Miss Vincent," he said, planting himself near his hostess. "If you don't take care, you will have to give me some supper," replied she, "I am beginning to feel sinking. And I think it would be a good plan for me to sup early in order to see that things are as they should be." Allan's heart also began to sink. He knew what it meant to take a matron in to supper; the leisurely discussion of salmon and cutlets, the half-bottle of champagne, the gossip, lasting half an hour at the least. And while he was ministering to Mrs. Mornington what chance would he have of becoming acquainted with Mrs. Mornington's niece? "I should be proud to be so honoured; but think how many persons of greater age and dignity you will offend. Colonel Fordingbridge, for instance, such an old friend." "Colonel Fordingbridge has just gone in with my niece." "Oh, in that case, let me have the honour," exclaimed Allan eagerly, almost dragging Mrs. Mornington towards the supper-room. "I should not like to have offended dear old Fordingbridge." "We may get seats at their table, perhaps. I told Suzette to go to one of the cosy little tables at the end of the room."