Jenny was flirting again--with both of them--perhaps with me also, for her side-glances in my direction challenged and defied my opinion of her proceedings. I was glad to see it; I did not want her abnegations to go too far, and it is always a pity that natural gifts should be wasted; one might, however, feel pretty sure that any Lent of hers would have its _Mi-Careme_. But if flirting--a thing pleasant in itself, an exercise of essentially feminine power--it was also purposeful flirting. She conciliated the new owner of Hingston, who had his position--who also had his outlying farms; and again she drove a wedge--this time into Lord Fillingford's house-party. "I'm so glad you can come," she said to Lacey. "I want you to meet Margaret so much." She paused for a second. "Miss Octon, you know." She looked him very straight in the face as she spoke. "It's very good of you to let me," he said. "I hear she's charming." "I'm sure the Priory needs no additional attraction." This from Dormer in the dog-cart. To one who knew Jenny well it was possible to see that this speech was not wholly to her liking--but Dormer was not allowed to see it. He received a passing but sufficient smile of graciousness before she gave the hearty thanks of her eyes to Lacey. "She is charming--you'll think so." A second's pause again, and then--"It's really very good to see you. Some day--a ride? Margaret's having lessons down in the town. Austin can ride still, although he has taken to writing books. We shall make quite a cavalcade." "I say, don't leave me out, Miss Driver." This, again, from Dormer in the dog-cart. "You live too far off." "You try me and see!" he protested. Evidently he was very well pleased with the progress which his short acquaintance was making. Lacey shook hands with her again. "To-morrow at half-past one, then--both of you!" she said. He turned away--was it reluctantly?--and got into the cart. With wavings of hands and hats the two young men drove off. Jenny stood looking after them. "What brought you here?" I asked. "The sight of those young men," answered Jenny, smiling. "May I come into your house? Do you remember how I came in first?" "I remember; we had parted forever in the afternoon." "Things are generally like that. The people who seem transient stay, the people who seem permanent go. I'm glad you seemed transient, Austin." She was in my room now, thoughtfully looking round it as she talked. "Lacey came here to ask whether you would like him to call." "Of course I should like him to call." "Against his father's wishes. Lord Fillingford did not forbid him to come, but expressed his hope that the relations between the two houses would be kept as distant as courtesy allowed. I told Lacey that, in view of his father's wish, it would be better for him not to call. He said he'd think it over. It was a question between loyalty to his father and admiration of you." "Admiration?" Jenny was listening with a slight smile.