How the last Day comes, and how some strange Words are said before the Marriage is accomplished; and how Marion Bethune scores a Point CHAPTER XII. How Tita comes back from her Honeymoon, and how her Husband's Mother tells her of certain Things that should have been left untold CHAPTER XIII. How a young and lovely Nature takes a Shock most cruelly administered. And how a Dowager takes a new Name as a direct Insult. And how Tita declines to promise anything CHAPTER XIV. How Tita comes to Oakdean, and is glad. And how Maurice calls to her, and she performs an Acrobatic Feat. And how a Discussion arises CHAPTER XV. How Tita tells of two strange Dreams, and of how they moved her. And how Maurice sets his Soul on asking a Guest to Oakdean; and how he gains his Desire CHAPTER XVI. How a dull Morning gives Birth to a strange Afternoon. And how Rylton's Eyes are widened by a Friend CHAPTER XVII. How Tita suggests a Game of Blind Man's Buff, and what comes of it CHAPTER XVIII. How Tita gets a Scolding, and how she rebels and accuses Sir Maurice of Breach of Contract CHAPTER XIX. How Rylton's Heart condemns him. And how, as he walks, a Serpent stings him. And how he is recovered of his Wound. And how the little Rift is mended--but with too fine Thread CHAPTER XX. How Tita takes high Ground, and how she brings her Husband, of all People, to her Feet CHAPTER XXI. How everyone goes to Lady Warbeck's Dance, and helps to make it a Success; and how many curious Things are said and done there CHAPTER XXII. How Rylton asks his Wife to tread a Measure with him, and how the Fates weave a little Mesh for Tita's pretty Feet CHAPTER XXIII. How Marian fights for Mastery; and how the Battle goes; and how Chance befriends the Enemy CHAPTER XXIV. How Rylton makes a most dishonourable Bet, and how he repents of it; and how, though he would have withdrawn from it, he finds he cannot CHAPTER XXV. How Tita told a Secret to Tom Hescott in the Moonlight; and how he sought to discover many Things, and how he was most innocently baffled CHAPTER XXVI. How Tita looks at herself in the Glass, and wonders; and how she does her Hair in quite a new Style, and goes to ask Sir Maurice what he thinks of it; and how he answers her CHAPTER XXVII. How Sir Maurice feels uneasy; and how Tita, for once, shows herself implacable, and refuses to accept the Overtures of Peace. And how a little Gossip warms the Air THE HOYDEN. CHAPTER I. HOW DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND, AND HOW THE SPARKS FLEW. The windows are all wide open, and through them the warm, lazy summer wind is stealing languidly. The perfume of the seringas from the shrubbery beyond, mingled with all the lesser but more delicate delights of the garden beneath, comes with the wind, and fills the drawing-room of The Place with a vague, almost drowsy sense of sweetness.