“I am not very hungry, and you forgot the luncheon basket. I ought to have reminded you to get some sandwiches at the railway station.” “Sandwiches! I don't want sandwiches; I want something more substantial than sandwiches. I'll paddle on; we aren't more than a tenminutes' paddle from the 'Roebuck,' a ripping nice hotel, I can tell you.” “Couldn't we have something to eat without going to an hotel?” “I don't think so. I want a bottle of fizz, and the fizz there is excellent; one of the best hotels on the river; splendid gardens and tennis grounds, a great room overlooking the river; the best people go there; sometimes one can't get a table.” “I don't think I am well dressed enough.” “You look charming, a cotton dress and a parasol is all one wants for the river.” “You are not ashamed of me, then; you'll take me as I am?” “Ashamed of you! Steer straight for that post--that's it, bravo!” Frank shipped the oars, and when he felt the girl's arm laid on his as he helped her to land, it seemed to him that all the world was happiness. The spirit of the river, the fields and sky, leaped to his eyes. He assisted her to ascend the steps cut in the hillside. She laughed and laughed again, and stopped to rest. At last they stood on the railway line. It swept round another hill all overshadowed and dark with cedars. “Here comes a train, let's wait. I must see it go round the curve.” “You should see the Bath express come along the broad gauge at the rate of sixty miles an hour.” “This is not an express?” “No.” The luggage train came with an interminable rumble and jingle, and Lizzie waited till the last truck passed under the branches. Then they went to an hotel full of daylight and stained wood, with glimpses of barmaids far away, and waiters running about; the rooms glistened with table linen; the waiters carved at a sideboard covered with pies, sirloins, hams, tongues. Only one table was occupied, and the waiters were lavishing all attention upon it. Lady Seveley leaned back smoking a cigarette. Fletcher sat next to her, alternately affecting indifference and fixing her with his eyes. Harding was voluble and observant. There was about them an air of thirty and the dissipations of thirty. And, not in the least ashamed of Lizzie, Frank bowed to Lady Seveley; she returned his bow by a slight nod; and Lizzie, very much embarrassed, nodded to the men; they smiled in return. “Who is that lady you saluted?” “Lady Seveley; the lady I told you about, who I went to the theatre with the other night.” “Fancy a lady like that smoking a cigarette!” A waiter approached with the bill of fare. “We had better not have anything hot, we shall lose the whole day. What do you say?” “Cold sirloin of beef is excellent, sir; pigeon pie is also very good--young birds.” “Shall we try the pigeon pie? Get me the wine list. Take off your hat, Lizzie, do.” “I am afraid my hair will come down.” “Never mind, so much the better.”