"How very nice!" she exclaimed. "Your compliments are so delicate, oftentimes go over my head--a lovely view, Sir Edward!" turning toward him. "Charming--charming!" said he, looking straight at her. "I mean, there!" (pointing to the landscape). "Just what I was trying to impress on Captain Herford----" "Trying?" she echoed;--"surely, it took no trying." "I am sorry to say it did--in fact, he steadily refused to see it." She turned and looked, curiously, at Herford. "All of which means, that he is out of sorts," she said. "Well, I decline to talk to a man who is out of humor on such a day. When you are willing to smile, and mean it, you may come back. Au revoir, sir, au revoir." VIII THE MEANING OF A SHRUG In the late afternoon, the Snowdens arrived from Montpelier, and, a little later, the Platers from Sotterly. They were young married people and added much to the company. Mrs. Snowden was a Leigh of Virginia, and Mrs. Plater was the only daughter and heiress of Colonel John Rousby, of Rousby Hall in Calvert County. The former came down the Patuxent in their barge, rowed by a dozen sturdy blacks; the Platers by coach and four, with postilions and footmen, and made a gallant show as they dashed up the avenue and drew up, with a grand flourish, before the entrance. The company was on the lawn, at the side of the house, playing at bowls or idling the day away as they saw fit, but they crowded forward, and made a great to do over them. "I vow I am almost dead," said Mrs. Plater, at last; "pray, get me away, Judith, or I shall faint. The roads are terrific, and the jolting has well nigh finished me." "You poor dear!" exclaimed Miss Marbury, and straightway carried her off to her room. Miss Stirling was not in the company that received the Snowdens and the Platers. She saw them come, from behind the curtains of her window, but did not show herself. She was in _déshabillé_, which was sufficient excuse, and she was engaged in writing a letter, which was abundant excuse--more especially, as it was of exceeding length and filled with gossip. It was to Lady Catherwood, in London, and essayed to relate all that had happened since she left, and besought her to reply, in kind. Much of it had to do with the men she had met, less, with the women--though they came in for a share. Mr. Worthington, Mr. Paca, Mr. Brice, and Mr. Constable she found most agreeable and charming, Captain Herford was mainly a bore, though, at times, he could be most entertaining. He was a good catch, as he was reputed to be wealthy, and, in addition, was an officer in the Royal American Regiment. He had conceived a most absurd fondness for herself, however; which was most embarrassing, because he did not want to give any of the other men a chance to be nice to her. She did not care to snub him, on her uncle's account, but it was pretty hard, sometimes, not to do it.